Since your '96 is OBD-2, maybe your mechanic plugged in an OBD-2 scanner. The error numbers are different vs. the blinking-light method.

P0300 = random misfire
P0301 = 71 = cyl-1 misfire
P0302 = 72 = cyl-2 misfire
P0303 = 73 = cyl-3 misfire
P0304 = 74 = cyl-4 misfire
I guess these can also be indicated by P1399.

 

what exactly constitutes a misfire?

 

You might want to check out the 'distributor king' distributors on ebay. I just got one and it looks nice. I like the idea of just replacing the whole distributor rather than waiting for all the little parts in it die one at a time.

Scott

 

Hello ... again I say you all are so incredible and nice. Snoopy's links really, really helped too. My problem may be solved, but I won't say that with certainty until another 2 weeks or so. It seems as if my ECU has relearned stuff. Is this possible? After disconnecting the negative terminal from the battery and then reconnecting it, the car did the same thing (go really low on the tach and feel like it would stall when coming in for a stop) for a little bit. Yesterday when I drove it, it did it once when I first drove the car and then never again. It's idling better and everthing.

Am I crazy? Was it that simple of a thing? There was a problem ... it was fixed by replacing the plugs and a few others things as listed above ... and all that needed to get done that wasn't done was to reset the computer??? This reminds me of turning off my computer when it messes up and I can't seem to fix it. Different things I know, but it seems like the same basic principle.

Take care!
Erika

 

Yes it could be "that simple of a thing". So no, I don't think your crazy. That's why I suggested pulling the ECU fuse in an earlier post.


Let's us know how the car continues to run.

 

Hi Carta!
I'm sorry I didn't thank you as well. I looked back through to see who helped, but I overlooked you. h:

So far so good today as well. The engine slows down like it used when I come to a stop. I forgot what it used to do as it's been a while. When I come to a stop it slows down first to about 1,000 rpms an then if I sit there a bit is drops to a little below 800 rpms I think. I hasn't almost stalled on me in quite a while and no CEL. Wooohooo!

Take care and thanks again! (If it doesn't come back on within the next two weeks, then I'll bee really convinced it's fixed.)

Erika

 

Well, the light came back on yesterday. I guess it's still not fixed. It's showing the same codes for misfires in cylinders 2 and 4. I guess I'll change the coil next.

It was running great for a couple of days and then 'something' happened while sitting at an idle. Oh well!

Take care!
Erika

 

Just remember that the coil/ignitor for 92-00 Civics and (I believe) all Integras are the same so don't go out and spend what it costs to get a new one. Hit up a junk yard or something for some other distributor. There's no reason to buy them brand new when there are so many out there that you can use.

 

I still say distributor related...coil/igniter.