Questions and Answers

Honda Civic Running Lousy Q. I have a 1991 Honda Civic LX. It is a five speed, fuel injection. I have been having problems for about six months. The first time the car died, the engine light came on. I thought I was out of gas. When I got gas it was hard to start but ran good for a day or two before it started dying again. It always would start after a few minutes.

Eventually, it wouldn't start up anymore. My mechanic looked and couldn't find anything wrong and he got it running again. He flushed out the cylinders and it ran great for two months. It started dying randomly on me again. It would jerk hard right before it died. I took it back to my mechanic and he replaced the fuel filter. It seemed to be fixed. Now, six weeks later it is doing it again.

Someone told me to change the ignition module so I did. Now the tachometer is bouncing all over the place and it is running kind of jerky. It hasn't died on me yet but I'm sure it will.

My mechanic says he can't figure it out unless it is not running or the engine light is on. I am really frustrated after spending over $100.00 on the ignition module. If you can give me any ideas, that would be great.

Thank you so much,
Laura
Kennewick, WA

A. If the tachometer and engine sputters at the same time, I would look inside the distributor for a possible loose ignition coil connection. Also these cars have had problems with the igniters, so that is a distinct possibility as well. You can read my article Honda Main Relays for more information.