89 civic electrical problems

[jeffshane]

hey guys,

I've got an 89 civic DX that has decided to give me problem after problem. First it wouldn't pass smog and the guys at the shop said it needed a new O2 sensor. I replaced it. The timing belt then broke when I was getting ready to go get it retested. I replaced that. As I was replacing the timing belt, I discovered that the water pump was near death. I replaced that.

I then timed the engine and everything was great.

Since the weather here is turning cold (snowed yesterday) I decided to check the thermostat. It is OK. Replaced the coolant and bled out the air.

Now I took it on a test ride. It was fine for 1/2 block and then started hesitating, check engine light coming on, and main relay clicking. Then, it just quit with the main relay clicking like mad. The ECU shows no codes. I got the car pushed back.

Now it idles fine, but anytime a load is placed on it (backing out of garage or going back in) the relay starts clicking and the car threatens to die.

What is going on here?

I need 1 more year out of this car.

Thanks

[ZC4ME]

Originally Posted by jeffshane

hey guys,

I've got an 89 civic DX that has decided to give me problem after problem. First it wouldn't pass smog and the guys at the shop said it needed a new O2 sensor. I replaced it. The timing belt then broke when I was getting ready to go get it retested. I replaced that. As I was replacing the timing belt, I discovered that the water pump was near death. I replaced that.

I then timed the engine and everything was great.

Since the weather here is turning cold (snowed yesterday) I decided to check the thermostat. It is OK. Replaced the coolant and bled out the air.

Now I took it on a test ride. It was fine for 1/2 block and then started hesitating, check engine light coming on, and main relay clicking. Then, it just quit with the main relay clicking like mad. The ECU shows no codes. I got the car pushed back.

Now it idles fine, but anytime a load is placed on it (backing out of garage or going back in) the relay starts clicking and the car threatens to die.

What is going on here?

I need 1 more year out of this car.

Thanks

I would try swapping out the main relay. How is the battery? Does the car start strong? You might even have a loose connection at the underhood fusebox which could be causing the main relay to loose power. Just a thought.

peace
Griff

[KoRnSaQ]

it might be the alternator or a bad battery

[NJ1989si]

started hesitating, maybe fuel filter, bad pump? if no engine codes. did you check to make sure esch plug has a spark? dist rotor? could be a number of things. check the spark first then try fuel.

[4GZChatch]

i'm gonna agree with kornsaq, and say that you should start by checking your basic electronic parts, the battery and alternator. My hatch did some crazy stuff like that for a while and it turned out to be a combination of a bad alternator, old battery, and positive battery terminal shorting out on my intake. If the battery and alternator test good, then I'd say start going after other stuff.