1998 Integra cuts out while driving

[180pimp]

Hi guys,
As stated in the title while driving, my wife's Integra cuts out it loses power it has the engine light then the oil and battery light come on like when you turn the key to on, car doesn't loose any power to dash radio or clock. When starting the car afterwards some times it will start other times it just keeps cranking I can hear the battery starting to struggle after this. I have been told it is the battery causing the cut have checked the voltage and while cranking drops to 7. Just wanted to see if there is any thing else that could cause this problem before buying a new battery
Cheers Dan

[BG-33P]

when it cuts out does it lose power completely? or do you still have dash lights?

I reckon its either of these things:

1) ICM in the distributor is on its way out. Once they get to about this age they die, I've had to replace two in 96 model del sols.
2) Main Relay is wigging out. Usually a dry joint and there is a DIY on resoldering it, but you can just plug another one in from a wrecked car. They should all be the same in honda's of a similar age.
3) If you lose power completely, it'll be the connection to your battery being a pain in the ass. I need to replace my ground wire as it doesn't connect as good as it should and sometimes disconnects (Dam hasport mounts!)

Good luck mate

[dougie_504]

Battery shouldn't cause a cut during driving as it should be charged by your alternator.

Main Relay tends to happen when the car is warm, then it cuts out completely and struggles to re-start for a few minutes.

[180pimp]

Cheers guys at least now I have something to go on is this main relay an off the shelf item at say Repco or alike?

[180pimp]

when it cuts out does it lose power completely? or do you still have dash lights?

I reckon its either of these things:

1) ICM in the distributor is on its way out. Once they get to about this age they die, I've had to replace two in 96 model del sols.
2) Main Relay is wigging out. Usually a dry joint and there is a DIY on resoldering it, but you can just plug another one in from a wrecked car. They should all be the same in honda's of a similar age.
3) If you lose power completely, it'll be the connection to your battery being a pain in the ass. I need to replace my ground wire as it doesn't connect as good as it should and sometimes disconnects (Dam hasport mounts!)

Good luck mate

Sorry mate forgot to reply.... It retains all power except engine...... Dash lights all work as does clock and radio but thinking about the main relay it has been cold here so wifey has had the heater on and on feet setting and when I arrive to see what the matter is cabin has cooled down hopefully that is the culprit

[Lukey]

ive had the coil in the dizzy shit it self in my teg cutting all power to the engine, but still leaving me with dash lights etc. would crank but not start, got a new one for $60ish from repco.

[Pr3Z]

Sounds exactly like what happened with my teg a few months ago. Turned out it was just as BG said, the ICM in the dizzy was going.

[BG-33P]

Battery shouldn't cause a cut during driving as it should be charged by your alternator.

Main Relay tends to happen when the car is warm, then it cuts out completely and struggles to re-start for a few minutes.

I'm meaning if the ground cable from the battery was to come off while driving. I've never tested it, but surely the car would stop?! No power to any accessories or ECU to run the engine etc.

Chances are its Main Relay or ICM anyway, but would be interesting to know.

[dougie_504]

If it was a ground the car would not restart at all. So I thinking main relay.

[Glocker]

Huh I'm having this problem, very intermittent. It makes a weird noise too, like inside the dashboard on the driver side like a buzzing sound when i try to crank it.

[BG-33P]

Glocker: That sounds like it could be your main relay shorting out!

[180pimp]

sorry for the late reply have moved and had no internet for awhile..... i have replaced the coil seems to have fixed the problem but havent been able to take it for a long drive....also wondering if there is an oring in the dizzy as now its leaking a bit of oil out the bottom (i had to remove whole dizzy)


cheers Dan

[dougie_504]

Yes there is an o ring.