Honda Car Forum

'98 Integra, 250K miles, auto

Did a head job about two months ago - new gaskets, valve job.

Ran fine after reassembly, but soon started to "hiccup" while driving, and
will even stall occasionally - usually when pulling away from a stop. Plugs
look fine, all lines/hoses are connected where they belong. I found these
two symptoms inthe garage when troubleshooting:

when I turn the ignition on, the "maint reqd" light blinks ten times, then
goes out. Can someone tell what this means; neither of my books mentions the
dash light blinking.

I used a timing light to check ignition while the engine was running. If I
rev it up, the spark goes out when the engine is decelerating - don't think
this is normal.

I'd like to post a computer trouble cod ehere - but I can't figure out how
to retrieve them. My Haynes manual doesn't mention computer codes at all and
the "computer codes" book I have doesn't seem to cover this model year.

I replaced the coil once before (6-7 years ago); do I maybe need another?

Frankie

Sorry for being stupid; I addee a few IQ opints after breakfast.

Found the code retrieval procedure, ran it. I don't have _any_ codes set on
this thing.
Reset the "Maint reqd" light - so it doesn't blink anymore

Which leaves the spark dropout on decel - any thoughts?

"rowesouth" <r0we'south@bell'south.not> wrote in message
news:zacPl.38278$9J5.9271@newsfe13.iad...
> '98 Integra, 250K miles, auto
>
> Did a head job about two months ago - new gaskets, valve job.
>
> Ran fine after reassembly, but soon started to "hiccup" while driving, and
> will even stall occasionally - usually when pulling away from a stop.
> Plugs look fine, all lines/hoses are connected where they belong. I found
> these two symptoms inthe garage when troubleshooting:
>
> when I turn the ignition on, the "maint reqd" light blinks ten times, then
> goes out. Can someone tell what this means; neither of my books mentions
> the dash light blinking.
>
> I used a timing light to check ignition while the engine was running. If I
> rev it up, the spark goes out when the engine is decelerating - don't
> think this is normal.
>
> I'd like to post a computer trouble cod ehere - but I can't figure out how
> to retrieve them. My Haynes manual doesn't mention computer codes at all
> and the "computer codes" book I have doesn't seem to cover this model
> year.
>
> I replaced the coil once before (6-7 years ago); do I maybe need another?
>
> Frankie
>

"rowesouth" <r0we'south@bell'south.not> wrote in
news:zacPl.38278$9J5.9271@newsfe13.iad:

> '98 Integra, 250K miles, auto
>
> Did a head job about two months ago - new gaskets, valve job.
>
> Ran fine after reassembly, but soon started to "hiccup" while driving,
> and will even stall occasionally - usually when pulling away from a
> stop. Plugs look fine, all lines/hoses are connected where they
> belong. I found these two symptoms inthe garage when troubleshooting:
>
> when I turn the ignition on, the "maint reqd" light blinks ten times,
> then goes out. Can someone tell what this means; neither of my books
> mentions the dash light blinking.



You're 100% certain it's the Maintenance Required light and not the Check
Engine light?

If so, you're overdue for a maintenance service. See your Owner's Manual,
available here:
<https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/pubs/om/IT9898/IT9898MAINIDX.pdf>
Go straight to the Index, then to the "M" listings.


>
> I used a timing light to check ignition while the engine was running.
> If I rev it up, the spark goes out when the engine is decelerating -
> don't think this is normal.



It is normal.



>
> I'd like to post a computer trouble cod ehere - but I can't figure out
> how to retrieve them. My Haynes manual doesn't mention computer codes
> at all and the "computer codes" book I have doesn't seem to cover this
> model year.


You need an OBD-II code reader.

There is a dumbed-down Check-Engine-light-flash method, but don't use that.



>
> I replaced the coil once before (6-7 years ago); do I maybe need
> another?
>


Who knows? Check for codes first. You may have an EGR code.


--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

"rowesouth" <r0we'south@bell'south.not> wrote in
news:SFcPl.49996$9w4.48054@newsfe08.iad:

> Sorry for being stupid; I addee a few IQ opints after breakfast.
>
> Found the code retrieval procedure, ran it. I don't have _any_ codes
> set on this thing.
> Reset the "Maint reqd" light - so it doesn't blink anymore
>
> Which leaves the spark dropout on decel - any thoughts?



Does the spark pick up again as the engine settles closer to idle speed?



--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Tegger <invalid@invalid.inv> wrote in
news:Xns9C0C8B1DF8412tegger@208.90.168.18:

> "rowesouth" <r0we'south@bell'south.not> wrote in
> news:zacPl.38278$9J5.9271@newsfe13.iad:

>>
>> I used a timing light to check ignition while the engine was running.
>> If I rev it up, the spark goes out when the engine is decelerating -
>> don't think this is normal.
>
>
>
> It is normal.



I'm thinking I may be wrong here.

FUEL is shut off on decel, but spark should not be.


--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Yes, it does.

I know this is either a spark issue or a fuel issue; don't know how to check
fuel delivery - any suggestions?

Is there a way to fault isolate coil vs. distributor vs. ECM? I'm willing to
replace what's broken - rather not spend $$ to replace something that isn't.


"Tegger" <invalid@invalid.inv> wrote in message
news:Xns9C0C8B46291DCtegger@208.90.168.18...
> "rowesouth" <r0we'south@bell'south.not> wrote in
> news:SFcPl.49996$9w4.48054@newsfe08.iad:
>
>> Sorry for being stupid; I addee a few IQ opints after breakfast.
>>
>> Found the code retrieval procedure, ran it. I don't have _any_ codes
>> set on this thing.
>> Reset the "Maint reqd" light - so it doesn't blink anymore
>>
>> Which leaves the spark dropout on decel - any thoughts?
>
>
>
> Does the spark pick up again as the engine settles closer to idle speed?
>
>
>
> --
> Tegger
>
> The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
> www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

"rowesouth" <r0we'south@bell'south.not> wrote in
news:ZoXPl.1170$i76.766@newsfe03.iad:

> Yes, it does.
>
> I know this is either a spark issue or a fuel issue; don't know how to
> check fuel delivery - any suggestions?


Feel with your fingers for if the injectors are clicking as the engine
cranks. Loosen the pulsation damper and see if fuel tries to leak past the
threads.

But chances are excellent it's not the fuel.


>
> Is there a way to fault isolate coil vs. distributor vs. ECM? I'm
> willing to replace what's broken - rather not spend $$ to replace
> something that isn't.



Loss of spark on overrun is something I've never seen before.

Does your tach needle drop to zero when the spark disappears?

Does the Check Engine light come on for two seconds when the key is first
turned to "II", then go off again and stay off?




--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

"Tegger" <invalid@invalid.inv> wrote in message
news:Xns9C0FC3C4E288Ftegger@208.90.168.18...
> "rowesouth" <r0we'south@bell'south.not> wrote in
> news:ZoXPl.1170$i76.766@newsfe03.iad:
>
>> Yes, it does.
>>
>> I know this is either a spark issue or a fuel issue; don't know how to
>> check fuel delivery - any suggestions?
>
>
> Feel with your fingers for if the injectors are clicking as the engine
> cranks. Loosen the pulsation damper and see if fuel tries to leak past the
> threads.
>

Not familiar with the term - can you tell me where/what that is - and I'll
check it?

> But chances are excellent it's not the fuel.
>
>
>>
>> Is there a way to fault isolate coil vs. distributor vs. ECM? I'm
>> willing to replace what's broken - rather not spend $$ to replace
>> something that isn't.
>
>
>
> Loss of spark on overrun is something I've never seen before.
>
> Does your tach needle drop to zero when the spark disappears?
>
Tach slows down with engine speed - does not drop to zero


> Does the Check Engine light come on for two seconds when the key is first
> turned to "II", then go off again and stay off?
>
Yes - two seconds on, then goes out

>


>
>
> --
> Tegger
>
> The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
> www.tegger.com/hondafaq/