2003 civic ex hesistates/sputters
Thread Starter
Registered!!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0 
2003 civic ex hesistates/sputters
I've read some other posts that seemed to have the similar problem but not quite the same. I have a 2003 civic ex that started sputtering/hesitating/stalling occasionally. It sometimes does it after a cold start and other times after running for a while and re-starting. It doesn't respond when pressing the pedal, then after about 10-20 seconds of sputtering, it decides to go. I've replaced the spark plugs, air filter, PCV valve, and fuel pump relay so far and no luck. No lights or codes showing. I've taken it to a shop and of course it ran fine for them. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Last edited by bentley152; Jun 14, 2011 at 04:41 PM.
Registered!!
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 220
Likes: 1
Rep Power: 191 
Re: 2003 civic ex hesistates/sputters
Consider the following things that could be causing poor or reduced performance:
- Clogged fuel filter (change it)
- Dirty injectors (run a bottle, maybe even two of Red Line SI-1 through your fuel system to clean it out, you may want to do it after you change the fuel filter so it doesn't loosen up gunk from the filter).
- Dirty Throttle Body (remove it and clean it)
- Dirty IAC (connected to throttle body, remove it from it and clean at the same time)
- Misadjusted/slack throttle cable (check/adjust it, you can do that after putting the TB back on)
- A poorly functioning upstream O2 sensor (replace it)
- Clogged PCV valve (can clean it, or replace it if you want)
- Battery old? Have it tested (AutoZone does for free IIRC, other places may as well).
- Check your alternator belt for proper tension while you're busy looking at things, and inspect its condition (heck, inspect all your belts).
If you do all of the above and still have any issues, some other things...
- Maybe one of your ignition coils is f'd up (direct ignition after all).
- Maybe your timing is off.
- Clogged cat? That can cause hesitation and stalling.
- Clogged fuel filter (change it)
- Dirty injectors (run a bottle, maybe even two of Red Line SI-1 through your fuel system to clean it out, you may want to do it after you change the fuel filter so it doesn't loosen up gunk from the filter).
- Dirty Throttle Body (remove it and clean it)
- Dirty IAC (connected to throttle body, remove it from it and clean at the same time)
- Misadjusted/slack throttle cable (check/adjust it, you can do that after putting the TB back on)
- A poorly functioning upstream O2 sensor (replace it)
- Clogged PCV valve (can clean it, or replace it if you want)
- Battery old? Have it tested (AutoZone does for free IIRC, other places may as well).
- Check your alternator belt for proper tension while you're busy looking at things, and inspect its condition (heck, inspect all your belts).
If you do all of the above and still have any issues, some other things...
- Maybe one of your ignition coils is f'd up (direct ignition after all).
- Maybe your timing is off.
- Clogged cat? That can cause hesitation and stalling.
Last edited by green01civic; Jun 14, 2011 at 04:09 PM.
Registered!!
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0 
Registered!!
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0 Re: 2003 civic ex hesistates/sputters
Consider the following things that could be causing poor or reduced performance:
- Clogged fuel filter (change it)
- Dirty injectors (run a bottle, maybe even two of Red Line SI-1 through your fuel system to clean it out, you may want to do it after you change the fuel filter so it doesn't loosen up gunk from the filter).
- Dirty Throttle Body (remove it and clean it)
- Dirty IAC (connected to throttle body, remove it from it and clean at the same time)
- Misadjusted/slack throttle cable (check/adjust it, you can do that after putting the TB back on)
- A poorly functioning upstream O2 sensor (replace it)
- Clogged PCV valve (can clean it, or replace it if you want)
- Battery old? Have it tested (AutoZone does for free IIRC, other places may as well).
- Check your alternator belt for proper tension while you're busy looking at things, and inspect its condition (heck, inspect all your belts).
If you do all of the above and still have any issues, some other things...
- Maybe one of your ignition coils is f'd up (direct ignition after all).
- Maybe your timing is off.
- Clogged cat? That can cause hesitation and stalling.
- Clogged fuel filter (change it)
- Dirty injectors (run a bottle, maybe even two of Red Line SI-1 through your fuel system to clean it out, you may want to do it after you change the fuel filter so it doesn't loosen up gunk from the filter).
- Dirty Throttle Body (remove it and clean it)
- Dirty IAC (connected to throttle body, remove it from it and clean at the same time)
- Misadjusted/slack throttle cable (check/adjust it, you can do that after putting the TB back on)
- A poorly functioning upstream O2 sensor (replace it)
- Clogged PCV valve (can clean it, or replace it if you want)
- Battery old? Have it tested (AutoZone does for free IIRC, other places may as well).
- Check your alternator belt for proper tension while you're busy looking at things, and inspect its condition (heck, inspect all your belts).
If you do all of the above and still have any issues, some other things...
- Maybe one of your ignition coils is f'd up (direct ignition after all).
- Maybe your timing is off.
- Clogged cat? That can cause hesitation and stalling.
Thanks for the great info!
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
Ian SFBA
Interior DIY
0
Apr 25, 2015 02:25 PM
deus-ex
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
2
Apr 13, 2015 12:29 PM
