Hi,
Honda Accord 2002 SE 2 door coupe 190k miles, new transmission less than a year old
Symptoms
While driving car starts jerking violently for a few seconds then the check engine comes up. This happens sporadically but seems to happened after driving for long time at least 30 min or more.

When putting it on the computer the error code came up is p1381

I have switched distributor few times, thinking the first time it was faulty, then second and third same thing few days later after fixing it the symptoms come back and the light comes back (check engine)

Also, while sitting in idle the RPMs go down almost to car shutting down then it comes back up a little bit (not sure if it s related)

I changed spark plug and wires just to be sure (Honda parts) but that didn't help

Any ideas are welcomed.
Thanks in advance

 

On your generation Accord, P1381 can also be caused by electrical interference from an alternator with faulty diodes.

This attached excerpt is from a Honda Service New article.

 

First of all thank you very much for this diagram and your willingness to help.
OK so it took me a little bit of time. I've been driving and sometimes the code comes and the car jerks couple time during the trip, the others the engine light comes up and the only thing i notice during the long stop the rpm drops almost feeling like its going to die but it stays very low but stays nonetheless. Sometimes for days the code doesn't show up and the car drives fine, same distance same length of time.
I went into the shop this morning. We tested the alternator looks good, once again looked into Distributor cap, the only thing is it doesn't have the cover for the coil, but it never did so that doesn't seem to be a problem.
Are you suggesting that after all that I should go ahead and change the alternator?

 

If the shield is not there I'd want to know why......someone removed it? Getting one from a bone yard would be cheap and worth a try.

Since the issue comes and goes it it hard to make the call on what is going on. Yes you can throw parts at it....try a new alt.....if that doesn't work then try a new dist.....but I hate to guess when money is at play.