Hi I have a 2004 Honda Accord LX. It has 130 on the dash but I believe it has a lot more. So when I was stopped one day it just shut off. So I changed the battery and I was good for like 3 months or so. Then out of nowhere it started to jerk a little only when I was stopped at a light for example and it was only doing it when stopped. Then at the next few lights I stopped and it started jerking again and then it just shut off. It did up until I was able to get it home and leave it parked and it also shut off twice that day when stopped at a light. Now my mechanic is so busy and I’m still waiting on him because he saves me thousands. Now I started it back up and it’s not doing the jerking thing but it still shakes slightly. Check engine light is on too. Now I think it’s not doing the jerking thing and shutting off cause I don’t drive it anymore but only to move to a different parking spot. I’m thinking if I can’t get in touch with him I’ll have it towed to a shop and just have them check it out and if it’s something small have my mechanic fix and deal with taking the bus for now. But has this happened to anyone before? And also, not sure if this has anything to do with it, but I’ve have my coolant in my car at minimum level for a long time and since this happened it went from minimum level to max level all by its self.
Have you tried charging the battery? How old is it? Connections clean and tight? Cables in good shape?
Have it charged then tested, along with having the codes read, and let us know what they are.
One thing that happens when sitting at a stop is, the under-hood temperature increases
This heat can affect crankshaft position sensor, and this may cause the engine to misfire or idle rough and stall.
The Check Engine light coming on may have stored a code indicating there’s a problem with the crank sensor, or may have stored a code pointing to a misfire.
Until the codes can be read, it’s anyone’s guess.
Was the coolant level higher after the engine was shut off?
Tester
Honestly I just bought this battery like 2-3 months ago brand new. And from what I can recall the coolant level was at minimum level every time I checked it. So I usually leave it alone and I don’t check as much as I should but I’m pretty sure after this happened it rose to maximum level
It is possible your alternator is on its way out. when driving the engine is at a higher RPM then when stopped. when stopped your engine RPM drops and the alternator is not making enough voltage so the engine starts running rough and dies. also, it is probably why your check engine light is on. when you start the vehicle when it is cold the idle runs higher giving you enough time to just move the car before it dies.
I would say yes the coolant was higher after I shut it off but it wasnt something I noticed until like 3-4 days of it being parked. Does it change levels when it’s off and when I’m driving. I’m not familiar with this stuff. And I changed my alternator like 6-7 months possibly a smidge longer and it was brand new as well. My mechanic just got in contact with and he is coming either Friday or Saturday so I’m just hoping it’s an easy fix but honestly I do need a new car haha
This is why the coolant was higher after turning the engine off.
Tester
I presume you are referring to the level as viewed in the overflow bottle. Yes, it changes as you drive, warmer coolant causes the level to rise. I’ve been idling my Corolla in the driveway for the past few years to keep it lubed, and that’s how I tell it has been idling long enough to get the coolant to full operating temperature. I put a mark near the top of bottle, and when coolant reaches that mark, idled long enough, turn engine off.
Years ago my Corolla (coincidentally) had a similar symptom. Caused by a problem with the throttle position sensor, and slightly clogged fuel injectors. You might try just adding a bottle of fuel injector cleaner to the gas tank. Recent Best of Car Talk podcast, Ray M recommended a caller try Techron.
So i got my oil changed about 3 weeks ago and I added this stp thing. Not sure the exact name but it said on the bottle to put some in when you get an oil change. Do you think that that liquid substance could have caused something to go wrong in my engine?
Suggest tell us the complete name of the product and where you put it.
To the oil, or the gas? Either way, not needed, but I’d be surprised if it caused a problem.
It was stp oil treatment sorry I forgot to get it from my car I was so tired cause I walk home from work now so I be beat but I will definitely remember today. Which will be around 7 so I’ll get back with the exact name. But I added it to my oil(engine)
I don’t know if a 20 year old Honda has variable valve timing (VVT), but if it does I would think, if the STP is similar to the STP of old, a very thick viscosity index improver, it would interfere with the VVT.
If the CEL is steady, and you have an Autozone or similar store near you, you can take the vehicle there to have the codes read for free then post the code numbers here. If the CEL is flashing, do not drive it.
@Purebred damn. I haven’t drove it in like 8-9 days. My mechanic is gonna come check it out tomorrow or Friday and see what the codes read. But if that was the problem, what I put in it, do you think another oil change would fix the issue?
Don’t worry about the STP.
Tester
@Purebred oh and I had a check engine light on before and got my codes read at autozone and that’s what came up a code for vvt. But over time it went off, but then a mechanic said it needed this little piece thing that goes inside my engine head damn I forgot what it was called but it’s a super small piece I bought it and had it changed it and then the light went away for a long time. Now there is this issue.
@Tester unless the guy read the code wrong.
On two occasions my 1999 Civic has had a jerky idle and/or jerkiness on accelerating from a stop. I wondered if crankshaft sensor or another sensor involved in engine timing (Honda has more than one!) was involved. But first I tried carefully cleaning the throttle body and plate, and the problem went away for years.
I have no idea how to clean the throttle body and plate. Hopefully my mechanic can fix whatever the issue is cause me trying to go without a car and going to work is killing my body
So the thing I put in my engine is called stp heavy duty ceramic oil treatment