1996 Honda Civic electrical problems

Filed May 2, 2014 · Electrical · 280,000 miles · CA

While driving the car engine will suddenly die. Does not matter if you are going 20 miles or 60 miles an hour. I can crank it after a few moments and it starts backup. Sometimes it takes several tries. When driving, it will sometimes jerk slightly like it is not getting fuel. Recently, it would not start I had it towed to the dealer where it subsequently started right up. The honda dealer thought it could be my old alarm system so they removed it. However, the problem persisted intermittently. I took the car back. They again placed it on the diagnostic machine and told me there were various things wrong with my older model car. However, they did not know what was causing it to stall out. Definitely it was a fuel delivery issue so they said replacing the fuel pump could be it. They replaced the fuel pump (with genuine honda parts) and still the problem persists intermittently almost on a daily basis. You never know if it is going to start or die when driving. I have had a new battery installed and everything I can think of checked. I cannot afford to invest any more money in my older model car and with the engine stalling it is, of course, not really safe to drive. However, when I researched the problem, I learned there had been a recall on honda car models starting with 1997 models (mine is a 1996) for ignition problems that sound exactly like the one I am currently having that the dealer is not able to identify. Is there anything left I can do. The car will sometimes start right up and drive without any problem at all. It is very strange.

Filed Dec 13, 2010 · Electrical · 170,000 miles · CA

My 1996 honda civic would not start one morning, I had initially thought it was due to the chilly weather. A week later, while driving on the freeway at 65+ MPH, all of a sudden, my car stalled and the engine shut off!!!! After my car finishes coasting on the freeway (and residential road), I will have a little problem trying to restart my car, but it will eventually restart! I was scared for my life for the obvious reasons (one second you're going 65mph and the next, your car dies on the freeway with cars speeding behind you)!! I found online that there was a recall for certain hondas & acuras (1997 to 2000 models of accord, civic, prelude, cr-v, and odyssey and some 1999 acura tl sedans and certain 1997 to 1999 cl coupes). The problem is, my car is a 1996 civic and it is now december 2010, so therefore, it is not covered with manufacture!! I'll bet my life that a lot of people do not know of this defect with their hondas because #1, they probably were not the 1st owner of their honda so they would not of been aware of the recall, and #2, even though it has been years since the recall, I believe that it is still a life threatening issue for myself and for all other drivers due to the manufactures fault!!! This issue should be resolved and re-evaluated asap, as lives are at stake!!!!

Filed May 14, 2004 · Electrical · 120,000 miles · PA · fire

Civic had been parked for about 24 hours and when I looked outside my apartment window it was on fire. The failure seemed to start in the dash wiring somewhere. The fire started there as the most damage was done to the front portion of the car and the dash was completely destroyed. The engine compartment was not damaged, the rear seat was damaged but not destroyed by fire completely, and the trunk was untouched. Front window blew out and the safety glass (more likely the plastic film in between glass sheets) melted, both front door windows blew outwards, and moonroof glass shattered. Fire department was called and they put it out. Vehicle was a total loss. It was junked. No insurance claim was filed on it because it was paid off and we were only carrying liability on it.

Filed Mar 17, 2003 · Acceleration, Body · FL · crash

Belts came of pulleys, vehicle lost control resulting in acollision. Also, replaced throttle cable/emissions/ignition/cv boots and windshield wipers.

Filed Nov 27, 2002 · Electrical · NY

Consumer stated that they could take the key out of the ignition in any gear. Dealer notified. Ts

Filed May 17, 2001 · Electrical · KY

Regulator on the alternator is charging up, then going down then up. Lights are affected.

Filed Mar 29, 2001 · Electrical, Engine · FL · fire

I was driving and the auto just stopped. This was fixed and less then 2 years later the same thing happen I was driving and the enjine stopped. The same thing has been replaced twice. I find it unusual that they are willing to fix this under another recall for emission warranty , when I submitted to be reinbursed it was denied. The first time the mechanic said that the coils and inginition looked as if it had caught on fire. I am getting concerned over this and the future of this ignitions.

Filed May 11, 2000 · Electrical, Engine · SC

My car has a new timing belt, a new ignition control module " ignitor" new plugs, and fuel is getting to the engine and fire is going to plugs but my car still will not start. Is it possible that there is a sensor that will will cause the car not to start.? I have just become aware of the throttle problem and it was a recall but I did not receive notice. Is this the problem? At the botttom pulley of the timing belt there is a sensor, will that cause my car not to start. I need help and when I went to honda here in columbia south carolina on greystone blvd the parts department had no idea what I needed or even what a ignition control module was....I need asstsance witht his matter and I expect for someone to contact me asap....thank you for your time.

Filed Jan 16, 2000 · Electrical · TN

Turned car off. Car began to honk wildly, interior lights flashed, door locked and unlocked, and radio is without power. Had to pull under hood horn fuse to stop powering the electrical short. This fuse powers horn and brake lights. Fuse must remain pulled to keep horn from sounding. Previously had problems with electric windows and door locks. These were fixed under warranty. Latest problem has occurred before but did not include door locks and interior lights. Afraid under dash electrical short will cause accident (auto-deploy airbags, etc. While driving).

Filed Dec 16, 1999 · Acceleration, Airbags · CO

The airbag light is on, indicating that the airbag is disfunctioning and recently the horn and the cruise control stopped working too.