I have gotten a lot from this forum, so I wanted to give something back. I could not find this problem using the searches I used so here goes the answer - my 97 accord was stalling. It first happened on the highway a couple of years ago - the engine rpms would jump up and down a few times over the course of a few miles, then stall. It would only happen now and then. Then recently it started to happen more often and also around town after running the engine about 15 mins. The engine rpms would jump up and down, then they would go to zero - I would put it into Neutral and hope to keep it running and not stall. Sometimes it would work and sometimes not I could not reproduce the problem for the first mechanic a few years ago - so hetried some stuff - at my expense by replacing thefuel filter, air filter, and something else. Afterthisstarted happening all the time and Icould get this to be reproduced (whenever the engine became warm),I brought it to the dealer (I know it is expensive, but I had to have it fixed). Anyway I took it in and they were able to witness the rpm jumping and then stall after driving 20mins. After looking at the ignition (hoping the recall replacement was defective), they then had it narrowed down to two items. (a) if it stalled and then I could start it againafter ~20 seconds it would be the ignitor (b) if it did not start right back up after stalling and I had to wait~5 mins, it would be the main relay. Turns out it was the ignitor. He replaced it and it was so full of crud it is amazing the car ever worked ! It was replaced last week and it has been driven for hours at a time without any stalling. Definately the right call by these guys (Maine Mall Honda).

 

Thanks for this! It may help members in the future.
BTW......how much did the dealer charge you to replace the igniter? Just wonderin.... Also is it the 4cyl or the V6?

 

thanks man! very helpful info... good to know if something similar happens to any of us!

 

The dealer chaged me $450 to replace the ignitor on my 4 cyl. I know it isa lotof dough, but since he found the problemand was willing to stand behind it in case it was mis-diagnosed - it is a good deal. He also reccommended I get a gasket fixed (not sure which one), as some oil is leaking into the #2 plug. That's going to be another $125 - yikes!