I’m not sure if this is the correct forum to be asking this question in, but here goes. I’m having some kind of problem with my car and I’m not sure what it is. I thought I could give a shot at explaining the symptoms to you guys before I head over to a mechanic.

Background:

1999 Civic EX with basic mods…50 Shot NOS, i/h/e, msd wires, colder plugs, air/fuel gage, volt gage…blah blah…

Question:

When I start the car for the first time during the day (or night) it runs fine. When I come back to my car after it has been parked for a while, it starts fine, but before I pull out, or put it into gear, it starts shaking like its going to stall out. Now if I do put it in first and attempt to drive away while it is shaking, it will almost stall (even while giving it gas) unless I put it in neutral and rev it up. Then for the rest of the drive, it’s back to normal.

I’ve noticed this only happens after I’ve been out for a drive and come back, parked my car, and gone out again. It never happens in the morning (after my engine has cooled off).

Does anyone have any ideas on what could be going on? If you need more details, please ask. Please help.

 

Sounds like something in the ignition system...
Check your plugs, cap, wires, and see if there is any oil leaked into the plug area.

 

Thanks, that was also my first guess...

Last night I checked my plugs and did a compression test for the hell of it. Also, I visually inspected my wires, but they are only a few months old, so they should be OK. There was no type of moisture present in the plug area.

Any other ideas? Ways I could diagnose this problem? Any more help will be appreciated.

 

Your car is stick right? Not entirely sure after reading your post.

 

I've got a Zex kit. Where I spliced into the TPS sensor came loose and caused a similar condition for me. I soldered the connection, and it fixed the problem.

EDIT - Check electrical gauge connection points too... Anything loose could cause that.

 

hmmm...now that i think about it, the problem started after i installed the air/fuel and volt gage. could it be my oxygen sensor? i'll check all of my connections.

yes, my car is a manual.

thanks

 

That bit of info is probably the most important. Anytime you do something to your car and it doesn't run right anymore, check what you just did.

I won't even comment about the limited usefulness of those gauges.