Help with 98 Civic recurring problem-will go dead, then will not start?

Question

98 Civic cranks and runs fine. 4cyl. auto, 180k mi. Sometimes at a traffic light the rpm's will drop to about 300, it will shake a little and go dead. When it does-then it will not re-start. Sometimes when I stop somewhere and cut it off, then it may not re-start when I try to start it again. The engine will crank over fine , the motor just will not run.
If I leave it for a few hours, and come back to it-then it cranks and runs fine and will go for days or weeks before it does this again.
I replaced the plugs, wires, rotor, and dist. cap. The battery is good, and the starter is good. It seems as though it only does this after the engine has warmed up, never cold.
It runs great, just 3 or 4 times a month it will shut down and will not crank until it is left alone for a couple of hours-any ideas.

Answer 1

Sounds like your fuel pump is going on the fritz. It is nothing but an electric motor. As the brushes wear they cause more heat. More heat causes more wear. Eventually with that heat it will cease to work. Once there is not voltage applied, key off, it has a chance to cool off and will work again. This will only get worse until it just won't start.
Next time you get in your car, leave the door open and lean out when you turn on the key, you should hear a short buzz as the fuel pump pressurizes the system. Now when the car dies, do it again, key off, key on and listen. You should not hear the buzz as the pump is not coming on.

Answer 2

Definitely your fuel pump - usually as a fuel pump is going out it will work fine til it get's hot then it will start acting up. The best way to keep this from happening is keep your fuel tank full. Most fuel pumps are inside the gas tank and the fuel keeps them cool - as the tank get's empty there's less fuel to keep it cool and it will heat up quicker- then quit working until it cools down again. I've had several cars that I've had to replace the fuel pump and they've all had the same symptoms. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

honda ??????? { Timing Belt } they are well know for that} losts of $$$$$$$$$