Quiz for all you auto mechanics

JohnnyTheFox

JohnnyTheFox

Achilleslastand
Messages
10,689
Reaction score
20,758
My 1st generation Honda CRV died on the highway, pulled over and restarted and went on my way. Did the same thing once more before i got home.
The next day threw a code PO420 which means the catalytic convertor isn't functioning properly{the downstream 02 sensor}usually throws the code.
Thought about replacing the Cat which is fairly common with this code but wanted to find out about the random cutting out first.
I reset the code and it has never appeared again.
Fast forward to a few days later and the frequency of the car cutting out is increasing.
Decided to test for spark in the driveway after i had let it run and it died out, no spark. This told me it wasn't a fuel filter/pump issue. So that left 4 possible choices. And remember there were no codes being thrown to inform me what to replace. Which do you think it was......
1. Ignition switch.
2. Camshaft position sensor.
3. Crankshaft position sensor
4. The Distributor.
 
JohnnyTheFox said:
My 1st generation Honda CRV died on the highway, pulled over and restarted and went on my way. Did the same thing once more before i got home.
The next day threw a code PO420 which means the catalytic convertor isn't functioning properly{the downstream 02 sensor}usually throws the code.
Thought about replacing the Cat which is fairly common with this code but wanted to find out about the random cutting out first.
I reset the code and it has never appeared again.
Fast forward to a few days later and the frequency of the car cutting out is increasing.
Decided to test for spark in the driveway after i had let it run and it died out, no spark. This told me it wasn't a fuel filter/pump issue. So that left 4 possible choices. And remember there were no codes being thrown to inform me what to replace. Which do you think it was......
1. Ignition switch.
2. Camshaft position sensor.
3. Crankshaft position sensor
4. The Distributor.
Click to expand...
If the lights on the dash are flickering it's the ignition switch.

If it whines a little before starting it could be the distributor.

If it sputters when giving it has then it's the camshaft sensor.
 
JohnnyTheFox said:
My 1st generation Honda CRV died on the highway, pulled over and restarted and went on my way. Did the same thing once more before i got home.
The next day threw a code PO420 which means the catalytic convertor isn't functioning properly{the downstream 02 sensor}usually throws the code.
Thought about replacing the Cat which is fairly common with this code but wanted to find out about the random cutting out first.
I reset the code and it has never appeared again.
Fast forward to a few days later and the frequency of the car cutting out is increasing.
Decided to test for spark in the driveway after i had let it run and it died out, no spark. This told me it wasn't a fuel filter/pump issue. So that left 4 possible choices. And remember there were no codes being thrown to inform me what to replace. Which do you think it was......
1. Ignition switch.
2. Camshaft position sensor.
3. Crankshaft position sensor
4. The Distributor.
Click to expand...
Take it to the guy! Seems like C converter could be clogged, but the no spark thing is interesting.
 
I know one thing. Don't take it to my Jeep Dealer to get it fixed. They'll keep it for 3 weeks, tell you it will cost $5000 to fix and the real problem will be a $5 fuse you could have replaced yourself.
 
Creeper said:
I know one thing. Don't take it to my Jeep Dealer to get it fixed. They'll keep it for 3 weeks, tell you it will cost $5000 to fix and the real problem will be a $5 fuse you could have replaced yourself.
Click to expand...
Damn, was that your Jeep I was driving around in for three weeks? Yeah...We need you to bring that back up here.
 
Must be a late 90s/early 2000s vehicle? I don't think current cars even use distributers anymore. On that note, if that was bad I would think you would have issues starting the vehicle or have very rough idling.

I'm going to say camshaft sensor.
 
rags747 said:
Take it to the guy! Seems like C converter could be clogged, but the no spark thing is interesting.
Click to expand...

The CC appears to be fine. If it was clogged it is easily fixable with a punch, a hammer and small alteration to the downstream 02 sensor :laugh:

Captain-Crash said:
ignition control module. not sure if your vehicle has one, but that is what my old truck did and that is what it was.
Click to expand...

I replaced the Distributor and it seems to be running fine, and yes the ICM is inside the Distributor. Around 70 bucks i believe. Pretty certain it was the ICM or the Coil which is also self contained in the Dizzy. Just decided to replace the whole thing which was around 300$

SlammedZero said:
Must be a late 90s/early 2000s vehicle? I don't think current cars even use distributers anymore. On that note, if that was bad I would think you would have issues starting the vehicle or have very rough idling.

I'm going to say camshaft sensor.
Click to expand...

Yep, 1998.It was either all or nothing. No rough idling or sputtering. Replacing the Distributor did the trick. Am certain those 2 sensors{cam/crank] usually throw a code.
 
Luckily my 2019 is still running like a new car and hitting close to 40 mpg on the highway If yours has a mass airflow sensor have it checked. On some cars they are just called airflow sensors Can make cars do crazy stuff.
 
Last edited:
Cowpolk said:
Luckily my 2019 is still running like a new car and hitting close to 40 mpg on the highway If yours has a mass airflow sensor have it checked. On some cars they are just called airflow sensors Can make cars do crazy stuff.
Click to expand...

Already fixed the problem it was the Distributor. Cars used to be so much easier to diagnose and work on.
 
JohnnyTheFox said:
Already fixed the problem it was the Distributor. Cars used to be so much easier to diagnose and work on.
Click to expand...
I bought a 1973 Pinto wagon for 100 bucks with 100,200 miles on it nursed it to 900.000 miles only replaced oil tires and brakes on it And 1 windshield from the hood blowing open . It had a cracked distributor on it when I bought it best car I ever owned and I have had a few Mercedes that were good cars. But the pinto wagon was better
 
Cowpolk said:
I bought a 1973 Pinto wagon for 100 bucks with 100,200 miles on it nursed it to 900.000 miles only replaced oil tires and brakes on it And 1 windshield from the hood blowing open . It had a cracked distributor on it when I bought it best car I ever owned and I have had a few Mercedes that were good cars. But the pinto wagon was better
Click to expand...

What the :laugh::lmao::laugh::muttley:Almost a million miles on a Ford, a Pinto of all things.
Guessing you didn't drive it backwards...
 
JohnnyTheFox said:
What the :laugh::lmao::laugh::muttley:Almost a million miles on a Ford, a Pinto of all things.
Guessing you didn't drive it backwards...
Click to expand...
It was my camper when I went fishing Slept in it when I went to Pat Mayes from Dallas And it held 4 fishing rod and reels with 2 large tackle boxes Ice chest with a case of beer and a bottle of Tequila and my fishing chair and a pillow with a sleeping bag
 
Cowpolk said:
It was my camper when I went fishing Slept in it when I went to Pat Mayes from Dallas And it held 4 fishing rod and reels with 2 large tackle boxes Ice chest with a case of beer and a bottle of Tequila and my fishing chair and a pillow with a sleeping bag
Click to expand...

Sounds like you for sure got your money's worth out of that vehicle.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Staff online

Members online

... and 67 more.
Total: 1,048 (members: 167, guests: 881)

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
465,406
Messages
13,872,291
Members
23,790
Latest member
MisterWaffles
Back
Top