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Car Forum / Honda Cars / January 20052000 Civic stalled, engine light on
I was driving my 2000 Civic on the highway and it slowly ran down and stalled (pressing accelerator didn't give it gas). It was -20 degrees at the time, but the car had been started in a warm garage and was running fine up til then - engine was at proper temperature. The gas tank was just under 1/8 full. I started it again and drove it to a gas station (no service bays though) and filled it up. It ran rough for a couple of minutes and the engine light came on. I drove it back home at low speed and it didn't have any more trouble. For the last week the engine light has remained on but the car seems to run just fine. It starts in cold weather, doesn't run rough, seems to have normal acceleration and gad mileage. I haven't read the OBD-II diagnostic code yet, but I'm tempted to just reset the fuse and see if the light comes back on and if not just ignore it ... Could this have been cold weather related - perhaps a near empty tank and frozen condensation from being in the heated garage? I don't know. Any Honda-knowledgeable readers out there have an opinion? Would it be safe to try driving it as is? Or is this a situation where I really *have* to take it in. Thanks - Kev I would suggest pulling the backup fuse. This will reset your computer. See if the CEL comes back. What probably happened is that you ran to low on gas. when you let the gas get that low, you run the risk of condensation is the gas tank. A little water would be ok (well not really, but it would just run through). This may also be exacerbated by constant changes in temp from heated garage to -20 temps. However, when you only have 1/8 of a tank of gas, that is alot of water that could potentially get into the gas. My rule of thumb in winter is to always make sure that I have at least 1/2 a tank. You can buy a water remover from any parts store, its made by STP. I doubt the formulation is much different from regular injector cleaner, but i would run some of that through as well. If all of that doesn't do anything, replace the fuel filter. may not be a bad idea anyways. t I pulled the fuse and the CEL went out. I then test drove it on the highway (something I hadn't done since having the original problem) and it failed again - after about 15 minutes at highway speeds it seems to lose gas and stall. But I can start it again and as long as I drive slowly (<70 km/hr) it's ok - though the CEL is back on. So ... I am taking it in for servicing. Thanks for your response. >I would suggest pulling the backup fuse. This will > reset your computer. See if the CEL comes back. [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > t Ya get the code checked. That is weird. Maybe you MAP sensor.... t Ya get the code checked. That is weird. Maybe you MAP sensor.... t The dealer (Calgary Honda) checked the code (P1106 baro sensor performance, internal circuit of ECM failure), then cleared it, test drove the car and were unable to reproduce the problem. Charged me $95 and said that if the light came back on would require "extensive diagnosis and possible ECM replacement". So I'm not much further ahead than when I took the car in - just $95 poorer. Kev >I pulled the fuse and the CEL went out. I then test drove it on the highway >(something I hadn't done since having the original problem) and it failed [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] >> >> t PS let us know how it turns out! > I was driving my 2000 Civic on the highway and it slowly ran down and > stalled (pressing accelerator didn't give it gas). It was -20 degrees [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > Thanks - > Kev ---------------------------- It's not Honda-specific, but it is Alberta / Winter specific. As you asked, it's gas-line icing. Parking in parkades or heated garages with a low tank is just begging for condensation to get in. Use gasohol, or add methyl hydrate at each fill-up when it's way below freezing. Keep the 'headroom' in the tank to a minimum. Re: The $95 . . At least it was only Canadian $$s :-( 'Curly' >> The gas tank was just under 1/8 full. > Use gasohol, or add > methyl hydrate at each fill-up when it's way below freezing. Keep the > 'headroom' in the tank to a minimum. That last tip should be engraved into the dashboard of every car. It should have appeared on one of Moses's tablets. Letting the tank run down is the very worst thing you can do in the winter. Keep the tank at LEAST 3/4 full anytime the car is parked unless you have no choice. Headroom means exposed tank surface. Water condenses on the tank and runs down into the gas, and from there goes all over the fuel system. The more exposed tank surface means more water. If you always make sure the tank is never less than 3/4 full (and preferably freshly filled up!) any time the car sits overnight, you will keep water from accumulating, and from getting sucked up by the pump pickup, and will not need the other two tips. Keeping the tank full may seem like lots of trouble to do...until you start getting ice in the fuel line and corrosion in the fuel lines, tank and injectors.  SignatureTeGGeR? The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ > Keeping the tank full may seem like lots of trouble to do...until you > start > getting ice in the fuel line and corrosion in the fuel lines, tank and > injectors. We are in an extreme cold spell (-20C to -30C daily). After running some STP water remover through (as previously suggested by t) - the car seems OK. No more stalling. So what should I do now to get the moisture out of my fuel system? Will the STP water remover do a complete job of that or is there another way? I have already marked up my Bible - "Thou shalt minimize headroom by keeping thy tank at least 3/4 full during the winter". (and I scratched out "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife" cause my neighbor's wife is totally hot). Hey Curly, My 98 civic HATES gasohol. I avoid it at all costs, and blame it for making my Catalytic converter go bad (on warranty) a few years ago. Also, my gas mileage and performance goes down. Its wacky. I realize there is a fair amount of controversy regarding a 'safe' amount of ethanol in gasoline, but my experience in this matter makes me wanna stay FAR away from it.... t > Hey Curly, > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > a 'safe' amount of ethanol in gasoline, but my experience > in this matter makes me wanna stay FAR away from it.... If you read your owner's manual you'll probably discover it specifies NO MORE than 10% alcohol. So long as you stay at or below this figure, your car will be fine. It was designed to use up to 10%. Your cat was replaced for reasons other than alcohol. Alcohol as used in gasoline does not kill catalytic converters. And yes, your mileage will go down with oxygenated gas. Oxygenates have less energy per gallon than other octane enhancers. For more (lots more), see here: http://www.faqs.org/faqs/autos/gasoline-faq/part1/ SignatureTeGGeR? The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ |
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