'02 Civic EX engine (?) acceleration/deceleration problem

[SWalsh]

A couple weekends ago, I started experiencing a problem concerning my car (2002 Honda Civic EX) - which I've been told isn't really a problem. (?!)

After startup, the car would suddenly - with my foot on the gas - decelerate. It was seem like it's stalling, but would then go back to normal. Another minute would pass with this problem continuing throughout. Finally, the problem would stop and the car would be fine......and the problem would not occur again until I shut the car off and start it up. And even then, it would not occur every time I started up, but maybe a few startups later. So it's mainly a startup problem, as the car is fine after I've driven it about a mile.

Also, I've noticed in the last several days the car now shakes after startup (sometimes while I have the car still in park) and I've needed to shut the car off to make that problem go away (but it would still "stall" and decelerate).

I've taken it to 3 mechanics - one of whom was able to hook a computer up to the car - and after checking the car and the systems they've all said (a) they don't know what's wrong (2 of them were able to experience the problem upon start up), (b) they've never seen a Honda do this before, and (c) it's actually not a serious problem.

My "check engine" light came on once, and that was because - for a time - I was pressing down on the gas hard whenever the deceleration would start and the car would resume acceleration; I brought it to a mechanic (the one with the computer) soon after.

What kind of thing would cause this? I've heard lots of explanations - loose sparkplug, fuel injector, transmission - but I keep experience the problem and keep thinking, if it goes on for much longer, it *will* be a serious problem sometime down the road.

My apologies for so many vague and less-than-technical descriptions. This is the first real problem I've had with any of my cars and I don't really know much about cars to give more technical details.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Sean

[BrodyP]

Well let me be the first one to welcome you to AF.
Your first thing that popped i my head regarding your problem was spark plug miss fireing. But you had said you checked that. Have you replaced them? I know there are no wires to replace cause of the coil pack. I have yet to experience a 7th gen with a faulty coil pack so I wouldnt be worried about that. What does the car idle at? For it to be stalling it must be idelig very low. Also you descibed that when you accelerate the problem would leave. Seems like fuel is not getting not getting to the engine. Where your lines and filter checked? I do not agree with what the mechanics say that this is not a seriouse problem. Are there any mods on the car? I would bring the car to Honda for a check up have them inspect the car to diagnose where the problem lies.

[SWalsh]

Thanks for the welcome.

- Haven't replaced anything. Some filters were checked and cleaned out when I brought the car in, but the problem persists

- the car sits idle at usually a little over 1 on the tactometer (sp?). Though I must note, when it shakes while sitting idle, it's at below 1. BTW, since I can't find anything in the manual regarding this......what exactly does the reset button below the tactometer do to the car? Should this be something I pretend isn't there or something I press at a time like this?

- I'm not sure if the lines were checked, but I *always* have the filters checked when I bring the car in for my oil change (every 4K miles or so).

- I bought my car from a private dealer, but I will look into finding a Honda place nearby if this keeps going on...

Thanks for your help!

Sean

[CR50HC]

You may have a fuel injector that is either clogged malfunctioning. The next time your Check Engine light comes on, have the code read. It should point you in the right direction.

[CR50HC]

Also, check to make sure the fuel injector plugs are secure.

[jmsc]

I also had a strange problem with my 2000 LX 5sp back a few years ago. Intermittently (not always) the engine would die out when I came to a stop. Like your problem many things were looked at. The problem turned out to be the black box. Have your BB looked at.

[parke20]

Hey i am having the same issue what is the bb and were is it located and did u ever get your car running