My 98 Honda Accord engine keeps shutting off while I am driving.... Help!!!?

Question

I have a 98 Honda Accord Automatic 4 cyl Vtech that is giving me problems. Few months ago the engine started shutting off while I was driving, this happened a few times within the day and then it was fine for about a week and I experienced the same problems. It started doing it at least every other day. Then I did not have a problem with it for about a month but the other day when I was driving it did it constantly. It would cut off and then I would restart the engine and it would maybe drive 10 feet and cut off again. When the engine cuts off it will let me roll for a little while... feels just like your car does if you run out of gas. When the engine cuts off the speedometer goes to zero immediately. When my engine shuts off I still have full battery power (or so it seems) and I just have to put my car into park and restart the engine. I have stopped driving my car until I can come up with money to fix it. It had gotten to the point where I could not drive without it

.... cutting off every 10 feet or so. Well anyways it has sat in my driveway for about three or four weeks and I tried to drive it to my new house (moved) and it did just fine... I drove it about 10 miles and it did not cut off once. Then I tried to drive it to the store and it started all over again. I am trying to be as detailed as possible so that maybe I can get some ideas to what it may be. Another thing to mention is that when I scan my car I do get a code (forgot the code itself...sorry) anyways... it is a code that would come up for cattylitic converters (SP) That code has been on my car for three years now though. Is it possible I need an O2 censor replaced??? Please help... any suggestions would be great.

Thanks Shovelkicker!!!! I read up on the recall you are talking about... and the effects of the problem are the same as what is happening with my car. Hopefully that is all it is. I called and I am part of the recall... I will definately post back and let you know if it was the egnition switch. Thanks!!!!


And to the response below you.... I dont have the ability to drive my car around so wanted to see what the best thing to do was... now I know.... this would be a start... Thanks everyone

Answer 1

Well since you say the car throws a code for the converter, then maybe the converter is plugged up.
This would not however account for the speedometer dropping to zero.. sounds like an electrical problem
But.. have no fear..There is a recall on some Accords for the ignition switch. Check with a Honda Dealership to see if you car is included and if it has been done.

RECALL 02V120000

DEFECT: On certain sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, and sport utility vehicles, electrical contacts in the ignition switch can degrade due to the high electrical current passing through the switch when the vehicle is started. Worn contacts could cause the engine to stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

REMEDY: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

Good luck

Answer 2

My car was doing something almost similar, and it ended up being wires. Cost was about $65 (with labour costs of course) and now it drives perfectly. Hope it something just as cheap for you. Better to take it to get it fixed now before you do more damage from driving it like you are.

Answer 3

if the converter is going bad,then it will shut off.i have a olds.and mine did that and i took it to the muffler shop and got a new converter and now its ok.you might have it checked out before you spend any money on a new converter.sounds like too much back pressure and not letting the exhaust flow like it should.

Answer 4

Why don't you go to Honda.com, or something and look for a repair person, of sorts --or the closest dealer to you--and call and ASK them what you need to do!