91blacknight

Need some help here please!

I've got a 91 civic with a b16a. I was driving last night when suddenly the wipers stopped working. I thought, well after 20 years the wiper motor is gone, but shortly after the engine stalled. It was odd because my headlights and radio still worked but when I turned the key in the ignition, none of the normal ignition lights on the dash (oil, check engine) would light up. It was just dead. I would wait a bit and then suddenly I could start the car again, could drive for 100 meters, then dead again. Luckily I was close to home and just kept doing this and was able to limp it in. How are the wipers and engine problems related? I find it too coincidental that both these issues would just happen at the same time. I couldn't see any loose grounds, but when I previously had a ground issue a few years ago, everything would die. When I turn the key the heater fan comes on, as does the radio and headlights but not the wipers, and as stated nothing from the ignition at times. When the ignition lights don't come on, I can STILL CRANK THE MOTOR but it won't start. I'm a bit confused. This is my daily driver so I need to fix this today. Please help!

Note: Previously my mechanic said something about the starter terminal and that it should be replaced. It doesn't look like it's loose, but I only did a quick inspection last night. Will look closer today. Could this be anything?

chris_v2

To me it almost sounds like a faulty ignition switch. That'd be where I would look first.

91blacknight

Hmm. I have noticed on certain cold days the radio wouldn't turn on right away and would take a couple of minutes to do so, but if I wiggled the key a bit, it would come right on. This related?

How about the main control relay?

chris_v2

No, it's the ignition switch. Replace it.

91blacknight

Thanks!



Update: Someone suggested I try the spare key because the other might be worn down, and wouldn't you know it, the car started up fine on multiple tries. I need to take the car out for a drive before I'm absolutely sure this has fixed the issue. The spare key looks pretty worn also so this might only be a temporary fix. As for the wipers, the linkage came off the motor, so it looks like it was just coincidental. I guess when it rains, it pours.

91blacknight

Temporary ended up being very temporary. Replacement switch it is. Hopefully that will solve it.

91blacknight

Replaced ignition switch and cleaned up some grounds and still having problems. When the car stalls I have to wait about 2 minutes to get the ignition to respond. I'll start the car, drive, but when I hit the turn signal, it dies. It's weird because the headlights are not dim, the radio works well the whole time. Could the battery be going? Battery cables need replacing? The battery terminals look good.

The car has an alarm. I'm thinking about bypassing it? Has anyone heard of a faulty alarm stalling the engine?

Any other ideas?

l.d.forget

try another multifunction switch.

91blacknight

Great, another trip to the junk yard? lol. So the rationale is this switch has shorted and the draw is placing too big a load on the charging system? Hmm...
Thanks, I might have to give that a try.

l.d.forget

the good part is its a lot easier and a lot cheaper to change. Infact, do it at the wreckers in the driveway, if it doesnt help you, bring it back in and get your money back say you changed your mind. Dont let them know you installed it because its electrical they prob wont take it back. Try car-part.com to find the cheapest place. Electrical is a difficult thing to trouble shoot. Anything thats shorting out SHOULD just blow the fuse, but that isnt always the case. What im thinking is that your multifunction switch is NFG since it only happens when using something on it (signals, wipers, ect). That would be personally my next try to get it fixed.

91blacknight

What about the ICU (integrated control unit). I believe this is behind the fuse box. Isn't this tied in to the ignition switch and such?

FPMotorsports

Sounds to me like you should just take it to a "qualified" mechanic.
Someone who knows what they are talking about.
Not someone who is going to say " change the ignition switch" for example....

Do it right the 1st time.... have a good mechanic see it.... will save you $$$ and headaches.

There is one mechanic shop I would recommend.....but....
Since we can only recommend an Aff. of tcc :
I would highly recommend Altech Performance.
( located on weston rd - between rogers / st. clair )

91blacknight

Thanks, he was my mechanic for years, but since I moved to Markham, it's a little out of the way. May have to have it towed there if I can't solve this.

l.d.forget

most "qualified" mechanics just throw parts at the problem and charge you 80$ an hour to do it. Not only do you have to pay their inflated prices for brand new parts (that you could have tried used parts first) but they charge you the 80 bucks an hour to do it. Not my cup of tea. I still say to try the multifunction switch.

91blacknight

I hear you.

I've got a 12 year old Clifford alarm installed in the car. I've been reading that some people have experienced these same issues because of an old/faulty alarm. I figure it won't cost me anything to bypass it, so I'll be giving that a try before anything else.

91blacknight

Bypassed the alarm and it seemed to fix the problem. No stalling so far and have driven for about an hour. Thanks for the help!

l.d.forget

Perfect. Glad to see if fixed.