"check engine" light-98 civic; low rpm on scanner I have a 98 Civic LX 5 speed. A couple of years ago, the "Check engine" light went on and the car would stall out at intersections. My regular mechanic was out of town and I went to another garage who replaced the front O2 sensor (aftermarket). After that, I became aware that the car would start to feel as though it was losing power ( at about 55 mph) for a few seconds, and then surge forward. My mechanic thought that it was a fuel issue. He then replaced the injectors (i ordered them online - aftermarket). The injectors ended up staying up in the very rich range most of the time. I ordered another set that are better, although still perhaps abit in the high range (the reading is apparently in the 70's but does drop down immediately upon decelaration). He also replaced the catalytic converter and both O2 sensors (all aftermarket) based upon codes and info that was coming up on the scanner. The check engine light still comes on and the code shows it running rich. The freeze frame at the time the light comes on shows a very low rpm rating (160) which is why he thinks that the "rich" code is showing. He has checked the distributor, wiring and sensors, and is now is wondering about the computer. It shows abit of moisture damage on the outside but looks fine inside. Any thoughts or insights would be appreciated. |
Re: "check engine" light-98 civic; low rpm on scanner
Originally Posted by npregozen
(Post 4463036)
I have a 98 Civic LX 5 speed. A couple of years ago, the "Check engine" light went on and the car would stall out at intersections. My regular mechanic was out of town and I went to another garage who replaced the front O2 sensor (aftermarket). After that, I became aware that the car would start to feel as though it was losing power ( at about 55 mph) for a few seconds, and then surge forward. My mechanic thought that it was a fuel issue. He then replaced the injectors (i ordered them online - aftermarket). The injectors ended up staying up in the very rich range most of the time. I ordered another set that are better, although still perhaps abit in the high range (the reading is apparently in the 70's but does drop down immediately upon decelaration). He also replaced the catalytic converter and both O2 sensors (all aftermarket) based upon codes and info that was coming up on the scanner. The check engine light still comes on and the code shows it running rich. The freeze frame at the time the light comes on shows a very low rpm rating (160) which is why he thinks that the "rich" code is showing. He has checked the distributor, wiring and sensors, and is now is wondering about the computer. It shows abit of moisture damage on the outside but looks fine inside. Any thoughts or insights would be appreciated. first off, what are all the current codes? That will be a great help in narrowing it down. autozone/advance auto/etc scan for free. You took somewhat of a reverse order of replacements that i would have, but by someone else's recommendation so i cant blame you. does it idle low all the time, intermittent, only when warm/cold? does it hesitate at all during acceleration related to rpm range in addition to 55mph? with a couple questions out of the way, this is where i would start now that you have the expensive attempts done already.
thats all i can think of off the top of my head, but if you are mechanically inclined you can knock all of them off the list in an afternoon. trouble shooting 1 at a time would probably be cheaper but more time consuming. reset the ECU and do idle relearn (go for a drive to warm the engine first. turn off all electrical/lights and heater. shut off ignition. disconnect battery for a couple minutes then reconnect. then start engine with radio/electrical and heater off. let it idle for 10 minutes with out turning anything else on. turn car off. then go for a short drive) this will let the computer relearn fuel trims and try to set idle to 750 rpm. all codes will be erased from memory also, so when the check engine light returns, if it does, it will display all the current problems that you have. wow that was lengthy |
Re: "check engine" light-98 civic; low rpm on scanner May not be the same thing, but mine is just shutting off randomly. Turns out there is a recall for a lot of the 98 civics and the dealer will replace your ignition switch. http://www.automotive.com/1998/49/ho...alls/9687.html |
Re: "check engine" light-98 civic; low rpm on scanner The only time that the idle seems to be low is just when the freeze frame of the scanner shows that the check engine light came on. I don't always see when it goes on but it seems to be after the car has been running for a few minutes. The car hasn't lost power during acceleration since some of the parts were replaced. I don't notice any obvious hesitation during acceleration. The timing was checked when my mechanic tried another distributor to see if that was the cause, which it wasn't. Fuel pressure is fine on scanner. Is it necessary to check independently of that - or was that if it was still losing power? I mentioned the ignition switch recall to my mechanic, he didn't think that could be causing this problem but I will call the Honda dealership and ask. I will speak to him about the other suggestions. Thanks. |
Re: "check engine" light-98 civic; low rpm on scanner what codes are you getting? i would guess P0172 for the rich fuel, but are there any additional ones? that may change some of trouble shooting. |
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