I need help ASAP MY CAR DIED! - Honda Forum / Acura Forum

J_valentin · 06-15-2008, 10:00 AM

I was getting onto the interstate and right after the onramp my RPM were starting to sputer.

They went from 5000 down to 2500, then back up to 4000 then back down to 2000's and kept going down. I got onto the side of the interstate and turned off my car. I tried to start it again and when i did it sounded like there was a pop at the back of my exhaust. I turned it off and tried again, the same thing happened. Turned it off tried again(third times the charm i was hoping) but it didn't turn on and i started to smell gas. So i waited from my brother to get there and tried to start it again and nothing happened(wouldn't turn over). Tried again and the starter didn't even do anything(must be the battery we though) jumped my car and still nothing. Started it again finally and my brother said he heard a noise in my intake(its after market if that matters).
I started to smell gas again and we were both thinking WTF and called AAA and now it is in my drive way...dead

Later that day my brother told me it may be the fuel pump, since the car is 20 years old and the fuel now isn't as good as it was before, said something about the ethenal the fuel or something

Please help, its my only car, so i need it to be fixed ASAP

anassa · 06-15-2008, 12:45 PM

Check ignition, are u getting spark? how do the spark plugs look? Check fuses, was there a short? dunno man, hopefully you get it back working, just go through the basics first to make sure that everything is good. It suxs when your car isn't running.

mad-ass · 06-15-2008, 12:56 PM

I suggest you check anything to do with fuel pump.

Fuel pump, Fuel relay, dirty injectors, fuel pressure regulator, fuel filter.

hope you get it fixed.

J_valentin · 06-15-2008, 03:22 PM

Thanks guys i will look into it, i cant do it now(stop rain) but tomorrow i will check it all and post an update.

My dad said it could be the fuel filter so we are going to check that tomorrow, anyone know where that is, or even better have a write up

Any other possible reasons why it isn't working?

91rex-si · 06-16-2008, 06:23 PM

i seem to have a problem alot...pull your cap on your dizzy off( carefully) your rotor screw may have come off,....my car seemed to have a similar problem and that was the solution...

pull your cap off and move the rotor, if it comes off or is freewheeling, there is your problem

drummingpariah · 06-16-2008, 10:01 PM

In addition to all these other great suggestions, you should check your cam timing. With the backfiring it sounds like you have and the inconsistent rpm, it's very possible that your valves are just confused as to when to open/close. However, this can be a bit disastrous if driven for long periods of time. Good luck!

falcon · 06-16-2008, 10:51 PM

I once pulled on the highway and experienced rpm crazy-shifts. Then my car died. Turns out I had a bad alternator. At least I replaced the alternator and everything was fine.

Along with checking the fuel system and other stuff, get a meter and test your battery charge (and have a look-see if your alternator belt is intact). If there's not a dedicated 12v battery setting on the meter, set it to DCV 20.

young18 · 06-23-2008, 10:24 AM

check to make sure your battery has a good ground... my 91 si want grounded very well didnt send juice to starter.

J_valentin · 06-25-2008, 10:32 AM

Changed the spark plugs and made sure they all fired. Replaced the fuel pump also but still the same problem. My engine wont turn over, we checked the distributor and the rotor was missing a screw, we are going to go to AutoZone and buy a new one but besides that we are out of ideas. Any other ideas guys?

Also what is the possibility that my engine just died? I mean broke itself to a point that it would just make more since to get a new engine and or a swap?

Tenacious Z · 06-25-2008, 11:38 AM

get the new rotor and screw installed and it should fix the problem

hndacvcsi · 06-25-2008, 12:22 PM

no your engine didnt just die, when that screw comes off what happens is the cam spins, but the dis rotor isnt tight on it so it doesnt spin therefore the plugs/wires/f. pump can be good, but the rotor wont spin to the towers which is how you get fire. i have personally had this happen to me as well as at least 2 of my friends its not uncommon just a pain in the fuckin ass.