DC2 Cutting Out

[peetah]

Recently bought a '95 Integra DC2 VTiR run about car and am having a couple of issues that hopefully someone can help shed some light on.

The biggest issue I'm experiencing is at random points the engine seems to cut out but will restart every time right after. The car will be running fine, then out of no where the engine will cut out but the radio etc will continue to run perfectly fine. I read somewhere that it might be ignition switch but is there a quick and easy way for me to check this? There are times when I turn the key and the engine cranks but won't actually start although this hasn't happened since I had a new key cut.

This may or may not be related but I've also noticed that when I step on the brakes my headlights come on and interior console lights up as if the headlights were on. Did a search and appears to be either grounds or alternator or rear brake light related. If I turn on the headlights everything still works as expected though.

I can tell the previous owner had some sort of after market alarm installed but as far as I can tell it's been deactivated. I'll be getting a new alarm properly installed and hopefully he can clean up the wiring a bit but was wondering if there was anything else it could be that I might be able to investigate in the mean time. I'll check the ground wires as soon as possible as I've also read that to be an issue amongst older cars and could be contributing to the issues described above. Are there any clear symptoms of a failing/dying alternator/distributor I can check as I've also read this could be contributing.

Another problem I've got is the SRS light coming up. I've tried looking for the SRS (MES?) connector in the fuse box area on the drivers side to try and clear the code but haven't had any luck finding the right one since the instructions I had showed a 2 pin and none of the yellow connectors I could find were 2 pin.

Any input as to what might be going wrong with my car would be greatly appreciated.

[dougie_504]

Possible main relay RE: cutting out.

As for the brakes turning on your headlights, sounds like you have a wiring short/cross. Annoying job to fix and I'd get it done by an auto elec personally.

SRS - issue with air bag?

[peetah]

Thanks dougie, I'll take a look at the main relay next. I'll get an electrician to take a look at the wiring next too.

For the SRS it's been on since I bought it but I don't know if it's a left over code or an ongoing one so I wanted to clear it first. I've read online that I should be able to remove the fuse and battery and given long enough it should reset. That way I'll be able to tell if I have a genuine issue or left over code but not quite clear how long it should be disconnected for or if this method even works on the '95 Integras.

[infurNOS]

Found this on another thread: http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?170971-Weird-electrical-problem


Hey guys, my brother has just purchased a dc2 integra and we've encounterd a problem.
Whenever we hit the brakes, all interior lights (cluster, controls..) turn on, also the Parker lights light up as well, when were off the brakes the lights turn off and it's fine again, has anyone encountered a problem like this?

Reply:


change your brake lamp globe in the rear,

one has melted and the filament holder for the brake lamp and parker lamp are touching causing voltage to bypass.

easy fix

Seemed to fix the problem:


It's was the Brake light. Just change the rear globes if it happens again, thanks Ecu-man


Does your car only cut in and out when it is warm? Could be a sign of the coil inside the distributor going, what are the km on the car?

With the SRS, you just need to disconnect the the battery for about 20 minutes which usually resets the SRS.

[peetah]

Pretty high - 250000km. It cut out once when reversing out of the driveway but other times when it was warm. Some days it won't happen at all other days it happens more frequently - possibly weather related then. Very irratic. Sometimes it isn't long into a trip before it fails, other days I've driven it for over an hour without a single issue.

Funnily enough a mate just linked the thread you described for the lights. I'll look into getting all this done over the weekend.

Thanks so much for the help guys.

[grifty]

I would say its the ignition control module that is causing your car to cut out, Its faulty and will cause the car to stall at very random times.

[peetah]

Fixed the headlights on braking - turns out some genius shaved and installed a single filament bulb in a dual filament slot!

As for cutting out randomly went good for a while then I decided to resolder the main relay since I figured only a matter of time till it happens again. Somehow made it worse and continued to cut out on start up more frequently. Managed to find a cheap dizzy and main relay so installed them and still cutting out. Once when approaching a stop sign and the other when I was trying to start the car at the shops. Thing is, and it's probably coincidental, I tried holding the key in the start position longer than usual after starting and it didnt cut out. Start -> cutout -> remove key and re insert start -> cutout -> remove and reinsert start and hold -> no cut out. Could of been coincidental though...

Video from a few weeks ago. Seems to run longer before cutting out now. I actually thought it was both the ICM (for mid drive cut outs since it gets hot) and Main Relay (for startup cutouts) but they're both swapped out and still happening. Quite possible that I got a bad main relay I guess.
http://youtu.be/iKjYuhNOtGs


Next thing I guess is the fuel pump and filter... After that start looking at ignition barrel and that "deactivated" immobiliser/alarm.

Thanks for all the hints and input so far guys. Very much appreciated. Despite all the issues I'm at least learning lol.

[peetah]

Changed the fuel filter same problem.

Had a spare ignition switch which didn't match perfectly but took the cap off of it and swapped em and cleaned it up but still happening.

Removed all remnants of old immobiliser except for the cable which splices into the ignition switch and still happening. Will look into the spliced wire next weekend.

Mate recommended looking at the iacv so the will be my next move I guess. Then maybe fuel pump.

[DC2-PWR]

Was the Main relay and Dizzy you bought second hand or brand new?

[peetah]

Both 2nd hand unfortunately. I've got a mate with a b18c2 civic so I might try borrowing his dizzy that hasn't had any issues. I'll start looking into pricing for a new relay...

[DC2-PWR]

Both 2nd hand unfortunately. I've got a mate with a b18c2 civic so I might try borrowing his dizzy that hasn't had any issues. I'll start looking into pricing for a new relay...

If you installed the other dizzy you will have to get your timing checked with a timing light gun

[peetah]

Took special note of the timing for the old dizzy and marked it out so they line up pretty closely but could be that...

Car seems to be running perfectly fine aside from the instant cutout though. Friend mentioned that he noticed it start to shudder a bit and 10 or 20 seconds before it cuts out but I never noticed it.

Drive along, if it cuts out you don't even notice... My SRS light is usually always on but as soon as it cuts out I lose all lights which leads me back at the ignition switch.

[DC2-PWR]

I was going to ask that but I couldn't explain it well, but good that you marked it up! Did you try to fit your old dizzy (since its lined up) and see if it works with the other Main relay?

Hmm,

Check the "ECU" (called ECU) fuse, sits right next to the battery in the fuse box

[peetah]

Hmm I'll try replacing the ecu fuse. Tried looking for the fuel pump fuse but didn't see it in the engine or interior fuse areas but will try the ecu one.

If I don't find the solution earlier I'll try reinstalling the dizzy. The car does seem to idle much better with the new dizzy though and when I took the old one apart there was quite a bit of calcium buildup.

Thanks for all the input so far. Been running in circles thinking about what could be causing it.

[DC2-PWR]

Hmm I'll try replacing the ecu fuse. Tried looking for the fuel pump fuse but didn't see it in the engine or interior fuse areas but will try the ecu one.

If I don't find the solution earlier I'll try reinstalling the dizzy. The car does seem to idle much better with the new dizzy though and when I took the old one apart there was quite a bit of calcium buildup.

Thanks for all the input so far. Been running in circles thinking about what could be causing it.

Oh woops ignore my comments, I thought your car wasn't still starting.

Try the new main relay anyway see if that helps. I had an issue similar to this and it ended up being my ignition barrel.

[peetah]

Ahh yeah it sometimes does what it does in the video at start up, others while I'm driving. I'm pretty sure it has something to do with heat since I've noticed it happens more on warmer days but I have no concrete evidence for this.

Lately its more when driving along though

[grifty]

ok to eliminate the ICM and ignition switch do the following.

Now what tends to happen with the ICM is that the thermal paste dries out over the years, so when driving it will overheat and cause your car to stall. You can fix it by taking it out, cleaning it an applying new thermal grease (can purchase grease from any computer store).

For the ignition switch, did you sand the contact points on the inside? You will need to grease the inside with http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=NA1034 after sanding. Only apply a little bit of this on the points, reassemble the switch, switch it on/off a couple of times. Then reopen it and wipe away any excess grease. I did this to my ignition switch as it was discontinued from Honda and haven't had issues since!

[peetah]

For the ignition switch I sanded them down but didn't apply grease... I'll try that out as well.

Mate took it overnight to see if he could help narrow it down and could be another coincidence but seems to always cut out when signalling and slowing down to turn so possibly adding alternator to the list. I still think its more likely ignition switch though as the dash lights disappear when it goes but based on a few reports it could also be alternator.

Oh we let it idle in my driveway after removing the remnants of the immobiliser and it cut out after about 5ish minutes of sitting there. I was cleaning up so I didn't start it up straight away but noticed the dash lights were off when I got there and they appeared to of come back up just as I reached in to restart the car. Was about 30 seconds between cut off and restart. Don't know if that helps but never know.

[peetah]

Figure I should update. Changed out the entire ignition switch and hasn't cut out in the 2 weeks since. Thanks for all the help guys.