Rep Power: 0

Last night while driving, my 98 Civic DX all of a sudden stalled while in motion. The engine cut off, power steering was sluggish, the yellow CEL light came on, the oil light came on, and the battery light came on. I managed to pull into a parking lot, by momentum alone.

Turned off the key, and restarted the engine, and it ran fine. Al the warning lights disappeared.

The only thing I could see was the temperature gauge was very low, considering I had been driving it for 15 miles. It was a very cold night, though. I don't know that a bad thermostat will cause the engine to stall.

I'm going to take it into Autozone and see if there is still a CEL code in memory, but otherwise I am at a loss as to how to diagnose this problem. I am going to have them check the voltage on the alternator as well. But there have been no other signs of alternator failure.

Anybody have any idea what this could be?

 
Rep Power: 204

When the engine stalled it's normal for your bat/oil light to come on...not sure about the CEL though. Power steering only works while the engine is running so normal for it to be sluggish as well.

I'd check for a code but really are you sure you didn't just bump the ignition key? There was also a faulty ignition recall for these cars as well so could be faulty ignition. I wouldn't be hugely concerned unless it starts to happen on some sort of regular basis.

Running cold? My '99 runs with the needle just below the thermometer bulb on the gauge...is it colder than that?

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks for your reply. I did not know that about the battery and oil lights.

I checked for a CEL code. There is nothing in memory.

Yes, the thermostat needle is lower than that but it does slowly rise. But I get plenty of heat from the blower. It may be ok, just not reacting the way I am used to due to unusually cold weather here.

I replaced the ignition switch a year ago so that's not it.

I am starting to think it might be the fuel pump because I heard a whining sound from the right rear. But it has not reoccurred.

 
Rep Power: 367

check the codes and if nothing, just wait for next.

can't even start my bets about what it is through the screen of my computer :P

 
Rep Power: 518

Slightly lower than usual temp needle position in very cold weather is somewhat average (from what I hear).

I'd suspect coil, igniter, and ignition switch as the usual primary suspects....but really without knowing exactly what all did or didn't happen during the stall event, all anyone can do is speculate.







You should try one of these




Works for....um...nevermind

 
Rep Power: 367

wroks to find out who is next girlfriend :P They will say it's a woman :P

 
Rep Power: 0

I am going to replace the fuel pump relay based on a noise from the right rear, where the fuel pump is, and the likelihood that the relay fails more often than the fuel pump itself. A failing fuel pump relay seems to fit the symptoms.

Thanks all for your help.