SCARY....97 Honda Accord LX that cuts off while driving

[blknight1963]

Any one out there heard of the following: I've recently experienced what my wife has told me, happened a few times to her recently. I've got a 97 Honda Accord LX (90k miles) that recently has been cutting off on me while driving. An extremely scary thing to go thru. I took it to a reputable mechanic who electronically diagnosed it and found that the following sensor was a problem. The Oxygen (O2) sensor.

I was assured that the vehicle would not cut out anymore while I'm driving once I replace the O2 sensors. There are 2 of them, one in the front of the vehicle and the other above the muffler pipe that holds the catalytic converter. Well this past Sat. they were both changed. Also had to get my inspection done that day, cuz my inspection sticker ran out as of May 15th. Well my vehicle passed inspection, but like an hour and a half after it was inspected, vehicle cut off on me again, while going 25mph and making a turn. When this happens, I have to hold the key in the ignition to crank it, this jars my starter obviously.
I'm scared to drive on the highway with this condition, imagine your car cutting off at a high rate of speed, or while changing lanes !!!???

ANYONE OUT THERE KNOW WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH IT ????

[TriOptimum]

Could be the ignition switch cutting off - I experienced this with my Saab, it would just loose pwper like the car was turned of suddenly, did it on the highway once, and you loose power steering and brakes too. The electrical contacts on the ignition switch were loose and needed replaced. It's a safety recall on the Saab 9-3 now (I had a 900 so I had to cover the $450 ><!). I know it's a problem with allot of cars though.

[livinincalifornia]

the mechanic who told you replacing the O2 sensor would fix it...that is complete BS my friend. The O2 sensor could cause your car to run rich at times because it controls the air fuel mixture, but in no way should it cause your car to cut out. Defintely sounds like an electrical problem that would not be found in the ECU but would require an electrical tracback probably starting at the ignition switch.

[blknight1963]

Originally Posted by livinincalifornia

the mechanic who told you replacing the O2 sensor would fix it...that is complete BS my friend. The O2 sensor could cause your car to run rich at times because it controls the air fuel mixture, but in no way should it cause your car to cut out. Defintely sounds like an electrical problem that would not be found in the ECU but would require an electrical tracback probably starting at the ignition switch.

Thanks livingcalif......Basically both you and Trioptimum were right. It was the ignition switch. From what I found out (online @ Honda.com) the ignition switch contacts degrade over use and causes the problem of the engine shut off. Here's my only gripe. I'm a car novice (ergo, the reason why I posted my issue online, looking for answers) I've had 4 cars so far for my lifetime, so this is the first time I've had to get a issue fixed due to a recall. My dealer where I bought the vehicle took care of the recall (free of charge thank god) but I didn't receive a recall notice from Honda. If it was lost in the mail, how would I know that there was a recall ?? Honda and most car co's should find a better way to contact customers. Nationwide ads on tv or newspapers perhaps. I guess that could become expensive, but I think it would be a lot less cheaper than being sued for a defective product. But for me now, I'll know to check the Honda website first.

[blknight1963]

Originally Posted by TriOptimum

Could be the ignition switch cutting off - I experienced this with my Saab, it would just loose pwper like the car was turned of suddenly, did it on the highway once, and you loose power steering and brakes too. The electrical contacts on the ignition switch were loose and needed replaced. It's a safety recall on the Saab 9-3 now (I had a 900 so I had to cover the $450 ><!). I know it's a problem with allot of cars though.

As I told livingcalif.....I thank You for the spot on answer to my dilemma. The ignition switch WAS the problem. I got it taken care of because the factory recall was still open (from 2002). As I told Livingcalif, I'm a car novice, so any help that I could have received from those (like yourself) more knowledgable than me was extremely helpful and appreciated.

Thanks buddy.

[V T E C H]

theres no way that a bad O2 sensor could cause this. Recently i had just rebuild my engine, took it out on the road to test, and everytime i pressed in on the cluth and held (RPMs would drop down) it would turn off. It was due to a faulty IAC valve i belive. thats the only thing i can think of.