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Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it ForumIf you've got a problem you just can't figure out, a noise you can't diagnose, or a Check Engine Light that won't go away, ask about it here!
I have a 2003 Honda Civic EX 4 cyl with no mods and I have a problem my mechanic can't seem to solve. I was going down the road and accelerated to 3800 RPM and I lost power and had to back off to continue going. The check engine light came on and it showed code for Crank Sensor.
We replaced the sensor and it had done nothing. You can be in any gear and it is fine but as soon as I touch 3800 rpm it quits.
I had a freind say, maybe fuel filter it plugged, maybe it is a bad distributor.
Thank you all very much. Looks like a mechanic replacement is in order!! All of your advice is invaluable. How much do I owe you and where do I send the check
New guy I brought this to is telling me from the research he has done the first step is to replace the entire distributor. I called a few junk yards and the best deal I have found is $375 out of a civic that was totalled at 107K.
Anyone have any other ideas on a good spot to try to find a distributior for a 2003 4 Cyl Civic EX?
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
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Re: 2003 Honda Civic EX Loses Power at 3800 RPM
You are in the USA, you have a 2003 Civic EX 1.7 liter engine, originally sold in the USA. The car does not have a distributor.
Your mechanic is still broken.
So are the junkyards, if they have distributors for a 2003 Civic.
Try to find a mechanic that specializes in FIXING cars, instead of finding the ones that work on cars and fire the parts cannon repeatedly until you run out of money.
You never bothered to post the trouble code number either.
@dmana12000 were you able to identify the correct problem and get it resolved? I'm having the exact same issue with my 2003 Civic. Mechanics are stumped to the underlying issue and keep rereplacing the crank shaft sensors to address the error code after every breakdown.
Last edited by AJohansen; Oct 12, 2022 at 05:21 PM.
Reason: Grammer
They're new sensors each time and I trust the mechanic purchased the best option he was able to find, because he's bought superior quality long-lasting parts for other repairs in the past. He's done everything he knows to fix the issue. But I know the car is still not driving with the same power I'm used to, and if I push it, like to maintain highway speed while going uphill, it will have another bang and start acting like there's no fuel getting to the engine intermittently. And have the same engine light come on and throw the same sensor code again. There's something else going on before that sensor goes.
I've spent too much money on getting it fixed multiple times so looking to learn from someone who's seen and resolved this issue before.
I had a similar issue with my 02 EX. It threw the same code and I almost bought and replaced the CRS but I heard a little trick to test what sensor is faulty. I was watching YouTube and the mechanic said that you can take the harness off the CRS and it will put the motor into limp mode, meaning the it won’t rev above past 4K but if it doesn’t die when you take that off then it’s the TDC sensor or the CPS whatever ya wanna call it. Mine ran alright till it got warm then the problem was right back! I bought and installed the new OEM TDC sensor and it was fixed just like that. I’d do the can sensor first, it’s the easier one to replace. I watched a YouTube video and did the repair and cleaned the EGR and put a new PCV valve in like and hour.
