I just upgraded from a 90 Accord EX with 249k miles on it, to a 99 Civic SI with 43k miles. I bought the car last tuesday, had test driven it multiple times. On wednesday, at a stop light, the car stalled out, and no i didn't let off the clutch or anything it just died. Started it back up, died again. So i started it once again, this time raises the tach to 2000 RPMs. The car stayed on, and didn't have anymore problems. Then on thursday car died again on me, and this time it would not start back up. Just kept cranking and cranking. Battery, Starter, and Alternator were all fine. Acted like the ignition coil was dead. I was able to start the car, and took it back to the dealer since a i had a warranty. They kept the car for a day, and couldn't get the car to repeat what it was doin. So i picked the car up, and it ran fine until today (Tuesday). I even put 400 miles on the car between the last time it died. Does anyone know what the problem could be, or has anyone seen this before? I know the car sat for about 6 months. So could it just not be used to being driven? lol Any answers will be greatly appreciated.

 

I would replace the cap, rotor and wires just to be safe. But since it isn't doing it anymore, I wouldn't worry to much about it after you replace those parts.

Sounds like you bought a lemon though.

 

did it make any funny noises before/while it acted up? I noticed some wierd scratchy noises (hard to describe, really) before my distributor kicked the bucket.

 

No, made no noises. Matter in fact it turns off so quitely, all smooth. Only time i notice is when i look at the dash and those 2 or 3 lights come on like i stalled out or something. The time it cut out and wouldn't start back up, a friend of mine tested the wires, and said there was no spark. He also said that there were some really cheap wires on my car, so i am gonna go get some Honda wires. Thanks for your replies!

 

check your spark plugs too...

 

My 1993 Honda Civic SI (118 k) is doing the same thing. I had my exhaust and oil changed on Tuesday, that night I was driving and the car just stalled as I was going down the road, no engine or battery light came on, nothing. It would not restart, I ended up getting it towed to my mechanic, he said there was no spark so he replaced the ignition coil. Last night it had a hiccup(?), I passed it off as nothing and this morning it did it 4 times. Did replacing your wires help?? Or does anyone else have any ideas.

 

Ok, just got my Civic back from Honda, after it stalled and wouldn't start back up. Took em 2 days to find out what was missing. They said one of the contacts was missing in the distributor, and that a wire inside has a bad solder point. Car seems to be doin fine now. If any of you wanna know the part, i can get my sheet and actually post what it says.