HELP PLEASE! Car keeps shutting down while driving! - Honda Prelude Forum

hanguksimon · 10-09-2009, 11:01 AM

Hi, I recently started having a problem with my engine shutting down on my 92 lude Si, its got about 220000 miles on the body but the engine was rebuilt due to accident. It first happened a week ago right after I filled up gas, I went to turn the ignition and it just died, not cranking, no sound, just completely shutdown, and the lights wouldn't turn on or anything. As if battery was completely dead. My buddy jumped me and I was good to go. Couple days later, it shut down on my while i was driving, I think I was in second gear slowly accelerating, and I couldn't crank it over for a few minutes. Then it was fine. Then next day same problem, much more frequent, every 10 to 15 minutes it would shut down while driving and the check engine light comes on and shuts off. It would crank but not start until a few times cranking and hitting gas, and once it starts, check engine light dissappears until it shuts down again. Any suggestions? I am going to clean battery terminals, check voltage on the battery, voltage on alternator. Any help would be great! Thanks!

ldryH22A · 10-09-2009, 11:06 AM

i dont believe its your fuel pump issues.

Quite possibly it might be a failing alternator?

I have never heard of any symptoms that a car would shut down while it is driving besides a faulty fuel pump.

Is there any other details you can provide me with??

If your looking for a OEM fuel pump you, i suggest this website their prices are pretty good and the customer service is great as well.

Honda Parts at hondapartsnow.com: Honda Accessories, Honda Auto Parts

indylude18 · 10-09-2009, 06:13 PM

Step 1) Check the condition of both the battery and the alternator. This is free service at nearly every auto parts store.

Step 2) Check you main relay. Here is a link to show you how to do it: Removing aftermarket alarm

Step 3) Check your ignition switch. Refer to the Helms manual for instructions if you get to this point. It can be downloaded free here: SpoonerTuner.com - Free downloadable Honda Acura Factory Service Manuals by HELMS

Step 4) Report back with results.

hanguksimon · 10-10-2009, 07:54 AM

[QUOTE=ldryH22A;3060960]i dont believe its your fuel pump issues.

Quite possibly it might be a failing alternator?

I have never heard of any symptoms that a car would shut down while it is driving besides a faulty fuel pump.

Is there any other details you can provide me with??

If your looking for a OEM fuel pump you, i suggest this website their prices are pretty good and the customer service is great as well.

Honda Parts at hondapartsnow.com: Honda Accessories, Honda Auto Parts[/QUOTE

How would I know if it was a faulty fuel pump? There seems to be pressure in gas tank if that means anything.

hanguksimon · 10-10-2009, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indylude18

Step 1) Check the condition of both the battery and the alternator. This is free service at nearly every auto parts store.

Step 2) Check you main relay. Here is a link to show you how to do it: Removing aftermarket alarm

Step 3) Check your ignition switch. Refer to the Helms manual for instructions if you get to this point. It can be downloaded free here: SpoonerTuner.com - Free downloadable Honda Acura Factory Service Manuals by HELMS

Step 4) Report back with results.

Thanks! I'll check those out.

ldryH22A · 10-12-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hanguksimon

Thanks! I'll check those out.

How is the result?

If you were to drop the tank and check the fuel pump.

Check if there is any initial wear or tear on the part it self. Sometimes the slightest problem would cause the fuel pump to be faulty.

Good luck

jsmooney · 10-12-2009, 11:38 AM

My car won't start

It sounds like my problem is fuel pump related.

dakyone · 10-12-2009, 12:43 PM

Make sure to give the ignition switch a good look. Ive had similar problems in the past and could only drive at one point by holding the key forward just enough not to engage the starter, but still keep the circuit connected. The part where you said the lights werent coming on is what makes me thing that this is it. The middle position on the key switch is dead. This happens more rapidly the more weight is on the key chain, it seems like.

ldryH22A · 10-13-2009, 10:18 AM

yeah does sound like the ignition now, like dakyone said. It really isnt that hard to differ between the ignition and the fuel pump. Both can be tested. I havent had an issue wiht my igintion before, but i have had problems with my fuel pump

Matta1 · 10-13-2009, 04:33 PM

I also had the problem dakyone explained. The car would suddenly go "on and off" while driving for no particular reason, until it died completely. Step 2 on the ignition didn't work.
Could get the starter to work, but as soon as I let the key back to step 2, the car died and all lights went off.

It could also a bad connection on the fuel pump. Check the ground wire on the fuel pump (it's right behind/under the rear seats), as this is a common problem on many Hondas.

ldryH22A · 10-14-2009, 10:24 AM

im pretty sure if you look around on either this forum or on this website where i normally buy my parts at, they have some diagrams to help you locate these parts and stuff Honda Parts at hondapartsnow.com: Honda Accessories, Honda Auto Parts