It's Dead !!!

[AnGeLoBBoy]

I just installed Matrix Stainless Steel headers today and when i was turning onto my street the car died. No jerking, or anything the car just DIED and all the electrical work was still on. It felt like someone just turned off the ignition while i was driving because power-sterring also shut off. I'm still furiated about it, but does anyone know what the problem could be?? The ride home from the shop was perfect and it just died. The O2 sensor could not have shut the engine down, it would of just turned on the engine light. I checked all electrical work, fuel pump, lose hoses, and no sign of malfunction. Anyone have any suggestions about what the problem may be, because I really miss my ride and don't want to take it to the mechanic right away. Thanks ahead of time.

[Tominos]

installing headers making your engine dead? i have never heard of anything like this. only thing that coulda went wrong was installed it wrong, but that will not make your engine die like that. i think you got it all wrong, the 02 sensor even if malfunctioning, the engine will still run, just the check engine light will be on and ecu will be in safe mode. have you tried starting up the car again?

[AnGeLoBBoy]

I've tried just about everything ... I took off the negative side of the battery to restart the ECU and many of my friends take off their O2 sensors .... so that doesn't explain it. The engine just turns but doesn't start up ... it's in top quality condition. still frustrated over it

[swedish]

well, despite the difference in our cars, i think i know what happened, what you described was exactly what happened to me when my timing chain broke (except it was 10 at night, raining and 15 miles from home).
check to see if you're getting spark, if not, you're probably in need of a timing chain (or belt as it may be).

[b16a3sol]

i would think that if the timing belt broke, it would have been a little more violent when the car died. it also would not be turning over as nicely as i assume it is. he would be able to hear vavles hitting pistons and the like. too bad you reset the ecu, as it probably threw a code once the motor died. this could have led you to a solution, but i guess live and learn. as for now i would not think that it has anything to do with your new header. the only way it could is if they swapped your cat with another thats clogged up while they were at it. i would start with the ignition system, make sure you have spark, and that its strong enough to jump the gap.

[AnGeLoBBoy]

Well ... I have searched the engine all over and can not find any lose wires nor performance problems. So i'm taking it to a Honda/Acura specialists for an estimate and see the problem. It just frustrates me because I "KNOW" my car and when somethings wrong, but I will update you guys tomorrow on what happened. Thanks for the help tho.

[AnGeLoBBoy]

Oh Lordy, just got from the mechanic and we found the problem. The shop where i got the headers installed re-routed the O2 sensor and it rested next to the intake manifold. Two wires melted and grounded itself outself out, so the fuse in the ECU was short-circuited. So all that was wrong was the ECU fuse.

[b16a3sol]

wouldnt having the O2 sensor by the intake manifold fuck up how the car works. the sensor will never get up to operating temperature making the ecu disregard the readings that the sensor gives. if it does take the readings, the ecu will always think that there is too much O in the air its sensing, always making the motor run rich. sounds like a poor choice in placement to me.

[casper13]

Actually if he was travelling a t a very low speed he could very weel snap the timing belt and all the car woild do is just die, not violently or anything just all of a sudden stop. I did it on my 90 accord about 5 years ago. I was cruising to my gf house doing about 20 mph down the street, then all fo a sudden my car shuts off. I was like wtf. I pull it off to the side of the road sorta coasted. And I try to start it again. Nothuing at all no sounds or any of that just the electrical flicker. So i couldnt think either. A budd of my came over and told me it was th timing belt. well wehn the mechanic opened her up he said i was one lucky guy cause none of the valves bent or anyhting, he said it was cause I was at such a low speed. So it might have been his timing belt, But i see he figured out the problem :sun: