What is wrong with my Integra?

Question

I have a 1994 Acura Integra manual transmission with a lot of miles on it (264,000), and it has the original clutch. Recently, it has been 'stalling' out after driving it a few miles. (not really stalling, but you'll see what I mean).
What happens is that after a few miles, 3 or 4, the check engine light comes on, and the car shuts off. At this time I pull off the road, and try to restart it, and it doesn't restart. After 5 minutes I try again and it goes.
The other day I brought it in, but they didn't find anything wrong with it, and couldn't get it to 'stall' out.

I would like to know if anyone here knows what it wrong with my car. Thank you.

Answer 1

hello jersey guy.i am from jersey myself. A friend of mine has a repair center in NJ and they specialize in Hondas and Accuras. They are in Union County, e-mail me if your interested.
Ron

Answer 2

The best advice I can give any Acura or Honda owner is to go to www.helminc.com and buy the service manual associated with your car. While they aren't cheap, they are worth their weight in gold! In that manual, you will find instructions on how to get the computer to tell you it's error codes by flashing the check engine light instead of hooking up an expensive reader like the dealers have.

Regarding your problem, the check engine light is triggered on by the emission controls. Check your owner's manual for a description of what each light on your dash means and what you should do. For that light it will tell you it's emissions related and to take it to the shop... no help there. The shop should be able to read the computer error code stored in it and tell you what triggered the light. My bet is it is the oxygen sensor. My 1999 Integra GS/R had two such sensors; the first is the pre-cat which means before the catalytic converter, the second is after the Cat. The pre-cat oxygen sensor inputs to the computer and is part of the calculation for proper operation of the fuel injectors... a failure with that input could, obviously, shut you down. If the after-Cat oxygen sensor fails, it merely turns on the light to let everyone know the catalytic converter isn't doing it's job anymore... no adjustment to the injectors though so you don't see any change in performance.

So, with this little bit of background, my bet is that you have a failing pre-cat oxygen sensor and I think the 1994 Integra only had one.

http://replacement.car-stuff.com/parts/carstuff/wizard.jsp?year=1994&make=AC&model=INT-GS3-002&category=C&part=Oxygen%20Sensor&returnurl=null&dp=true&showdc=true#top

Good luck!

Answer 3

Main relay. Over time, the solder contacts crack and get loose. This can occur right from the start on hot summer days because metal expands under heat and so when the wires don't contact, you can't start the car up.

Give that a look...

By the way, I have 1992 GS-R with 224K and this was my problem. Although, it never stalled at me while driving, more when starting.

Answer 4

Sounds to me like one of possibly 2 things. First, I'd check the PCV valve. If it's plugged, then it would cause some problems like that. Another possability would be you catalytic converter has a lot of accumulated rust and crud from that many mile and it's chocking out proper exhaust. Barring that, my recomendation would be spend the Big bucks and get your authorized dealer to look at it. Good Luck

Answer 5

Do you have a security "engine shut off" switch under your steering wheel that you might be accidentally hitting with your knee? Or... maybe you're clutch is worn enough that when you shift gears, you get stuck inbetween gears causing the car to stall.

Answer 6

You need to buy a new car or replace the engine/clutch.

Answer 7

with that many miles it sounds like it's wore out.