Stew97CL3.0

I have a weird and very random stalling issue. It only happns when at a light or stop sign.

The car idles down to only a few hundred RPM and sputters and died when the gas is applied. When it stalls completly, NO dash lights light up as your would expect when the car is normal key on by engine not running. When I try to restart it sputters and dies like its flooded, or the timing is way off. After a few re-trys and stomping on the gas pedal while tuning the car over it finally restarts.

Its a weird issue that I feel may be ignition related. I'm wondering if anyone else had or has heard of a similar problem?

There is no check engine light after the event, which is even more odd. And no stored codes. This leads me to rule out a bad crank/cam sensor. How about the distributor/ignitor?

TexasHonda

This problem is more likely an idle control problem. You may have a blocked or damaged idle air control valve that is restricting air flow, forcing idle to very low unstable range. When you apply throttle, the idle is too low to respond and engine dies due to overleaning.

I would clean the throttle body, throttle plate, and idle air control valve. I think you'll see an improvement.

good luck

Stew97CL3.0

I suppose it could well be an IAB issue - the only thing that points elseware is that it is very difficult to re-start even with my foot to the floor, I would think even with a jammed shut IAB, opening the throtle body up by depressing the gas pedal would allow the car to start. and It didn't. Any further thoughts?


I'll clean it up and go from there.

Thanks for the input.

keithseymour

doesnt sound like an ignitor/ distributor. that would usually cause it to not get spark (wouldn't start).

Have you checked any vacuum lines? Does the idle surge ( go up and down) when it is started. Any hesitations when accelerating? Does it only do it when it's warmed up or cold? Does the outside temperature affect the problem at all. Youu said it was random. I'm just trying to narrow down possiblitites of why it's happening.

ajtcl

Has the ignition recall been done on this car?

Stew97CL3.0

Well, it stalled twice on the way home tonight, This is the 1st time it's ever stall while moving (on the highway accelerating around 25-30 mph) and once as I flipped the turn signal on to pull into my driveway.

Both times it started up within 2 trys.

What are the symptoms of the ignition recall?

I dunno if I can get it to the acura dealer safely (an hour away)m can a honda dealer do it?

Stew97CL3.0

Well, I read a dousen posts about the ignition recal - it def. sounds like this might be the prob. I am covered under the recall, I wish I did it last year when I had the chance now.

I'll call honda and see if they will do it tomorrow and I'll report back.

Thanks for the info AJTCL

AznX TL

my 2.2 use to do that and it was my distributor.

ajtcl

Stew,
Accords of the same years were affected by this recall as well. My wife's 99 Accord had it done when my 98 CL did. Acura did mine and Honda did hers, but it is pretty much the same parts. Your Honda dealer should be able to do it.

Good luck.

Stew97CL3.0

I called Honda today. They cannot do recall work on Acuras It's retarded since the exact same recall and parts exist for the J30 accords. But that's how it goes I guess.

Since I can't make it down the freeway with the fear of stalling I decided to see what the parts were going to cost me thru work (I work at an autoparts place fortuantly). Niehoff makes an ignition switch and also a kit that incudes new wireing harness' and a new lock cyl. with keys. The big kit was all we had available in the next few days and is 250$ Canadian The Cylinder alone is worth about 60$ CDN.

It is def, the ignition switch though. Tonight on the way home the car stalled pulling into my driveway again. This time i wiggled the key and all the dash warning lights came back on and it re-started 1st try.

What a pain.

ajtcl

When they did our cars, we kept the same key. Can you just get the parts from Honda? Or, if you feel industrious, you can rig your key so that it stays in the sweet spot. That way you could get it to the Acura Dealer. There is no reason to pay that much for a free service.

I will say this... Were I in this situation, I would call AAA and flatbed that mother to the dealer. You would be surprised how valuable that $50 a year is. They towed my Integra numerous times and unlocked my CL once last year. Hell that alone was worth the cost of the membership. They just come and do it... No money, just service with a smile.

Good luck.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

AAA ftw

I had them flatbed my ack to the dealer both times my brakes failed on it

ajtcl

^^^^

wilp99

maybee acura will reimburse you for the towing expense if it doesent make it. its the entire ignition switch, they replace.. im pretty sure you cant do it yourself, being that you have to re code the key.

Stew97CL3.0

I dont think my 97 has a coded key, but I could be wrong. I'm going to risk the trip down on friday and get it taken care of.

In the mean time I've been wiggling the key around after I start the car and it hasn;t stalled today (and I did a lot of running round). So hopefully I will be ok.

Now if I can fix my suspension clunk and find out why my car is so sluggish i'll be a happy guy. It's all happened at once - and it's got me a bit bummed out about my CL. I actually started looking at downgrading to a civic

Anyone talk some sence into me - is this beutiful but flawed 200k KMS CL worth fixing, or should I pass on my problems to the next used car lot ?

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

97's don't have a coded key, the 98's and 99's do

AznX TL

ask acura if they'll fix it for you for free