Ok, so my '99 EX with the 2.3 will just up and quit going down the road. No check engine light, no weird noises or funny smells. Just up and quits as if you turned the key off. You can be doing 20 mph or 60 mph, raining or sunshine. The only thing consistant about it is if you wait about 20-30 seconds, it will start right back up. Then it will run another 1/2 mile, another 10 miles or maybe a day or two! It's so random and it won't stay broke long enough to try and figure out what's going on because like I said, wait 20-30 seconds and it starts right back up. And when it does quit, its a sudden quit as if turing the key off, not a spit and sputter then quit. It had a new cap and rotor 23,000 miles ago, the rotor burned up so I went ahead and replaced the cap too. New NGK plugs and wires about 3,000 miles ago. It runs great when it's running. Has 261,000 miles on it. I replaced the main relay at the advice of a good mechanic friend of mine. That didn't fix it. Anyone have any ideas on what to do the next time it quits on me? It's almost as if something is tripping or shorting out but yet it "resets" itself, whatever it is. Comments appreciated.

 

Try this test the next time you are in your car. Start the engine, then shake the key. Can you get the car to stall out?

 

Yeah, forgot to mention I tried shaking the key and that didn't make it quit.

 

The electrical portion of the ignition switch can still have bad contacts, but not fail that key shaking test.

You can back-probe the blk/yel wire going to the distributor. Connect a test light and route it inside the car. If you lose power via the ignition switch when driving, then the electrical portion of the ignition switch is a likely culprit.

I would also disconnect the battery and clean all ends of both battery cables with a wire brush or sandpaper. Clean the eyelet, bolt, and washer to ensure you have a good connections.

 

Unfortunately w/ an intermittent problem there are only two approaches. Replace parts that might impact problem and hope to get lucky before you run out of money/patience. Wait for the problem to get worse/constant.

It could be the fuel pump sticking. I had this very intermittent problem on 94EX and rigged a light from fuel pump power supply line (trunk) to front seat where I could see light. Finally got a failure when power was present as confirmed by light. New fuel pump resolved problem.

If you are losing dash lights; check engine, oil, alternator when this failure occurs, then a power supply problem is likely; battery cable, loose connection, fuse loose. If dash lights remain on, look at fuel delivery (as described above).

good luck