Our car runs fine, then mysteriously dies while in motion. It just turns off, no engine lights come on. It won’t restart right away, but after about a half hour it will start like normal and run fine again. Until the next time it does it. Any suggestions? We spent a whole day at the dealership and they couldn’t find anything wrong. Of course it wouldn’t die while they drove it.
You could help us out quite a bit if you would reveal some details such as:
Model year?
Odometer mileage?
Still under warranty?
Maintenance history?
Believe it or not, your answers to the above questions will have an impact on the responses that you get.
Okay! Thanks, I should have thought to add that- it’s a 1998, the miles are at 173,000, no warranty, it’s been a great car for the 5 years we’ve had it and we get oil changes regularly, it IS about due for a fuel filter, spark plugs look normal.
hi, i have a 99 crv and there was a recall on the ignition switch, of all things, that had pretty much the same symptoms except that ours would just randomly start again after turning the key any number of times while sitting perplexed by the side of the road. can’t believe the dealer wouldn’t have checked this out, as the 97 thru '01 models are the same and probably share this switch. our dealer replaced it as part of the recall and it hasn’t happened since.
I also have a 1998 CRV with about 160,000 that has the exact same problem. Stalls when driving, but usually will restart immediately. No alarms or warning lights. Just talked to my mechanic, he suggested checking the air cleaner connections. If the boot from the air filter to the engine is loose, the air mass sensor could send the engine the wrong mixture. I also think the post about the ignition switch is another strong possibility. Since the failure is intermittent, it can be very hard to solve.
Here are recall details for ignition switch failure on 1998 CRV. Called local dealer and they are ordering the replacement part. There is also another recall for under dash wiring that you should get resolved at the same time.
Recall Date: MAY 16, 2002
Model Affected: 1998 HONDA CR-V
Description: ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.
Consequence: WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
Potential Units Affected: 1000000
Recall Date
OCT 19, 1999
Model Affected
1998 HONDA CR-V
Description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN IMPROPERLY ROUTED UNDER DASH WIRE HARNESS COULD BE DAMAGED BY CONTACT WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A BLOWN FUSE. IF THIS OCCURS, OPERATION OF A CRITICAL COMPONENT CAN BE LOST, INCLUDING WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD LAMPS, TAIL LAMPS, THE ANTI-LOCKING FUNCTION OF THE BRAKES, AND BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM.
Consequence
A SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED LOSS OF LIGHTING OR A FAILURE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS IN BAD WEATHER, COULD BE HAZARDOUS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A 70MM PROTECTIVE, CORRUGATED PLASTIC TUBE OVER THE WIRE HARNESS, IN THE AREA OF THE BRAKE STOP SWITCH. IF ANY WIRE OR WIRES ARE DAMAGED, THEY WILL BE REPAIRED.
Potential Units Affected
100891
Notes
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. K72