Engine Sudden Power Loss

[LuCiUs]

Hi Guys

After fighting with my Honda Dealer for around 6 months to get my scratched dash replaced, I have another problem I know they'll probably won't fix. We all know the saying: "If we can't reproduce the problem, we can't fix it".

I know Honda is quite raving about this "Drive by Wire" system. I read a bit about this and it sounds good, don't know if it is though. There's basically no wire involved as the name suggests. The throttle system is complete controlled by die car's computer. So, as you press down on the peddle, the computer calculates how far it's pushed and then gives the power accordingly. The problem I'm having I HOPE is not the Drive by Wire system. Here is what happens:

I would be driving quite normally, switching gears. Then suddenly, as I engage a gear the car losses power completely for about half a second and jerks. It then comes back again. This only happens now and again. And yes, I can drive The car also gets quite jerky when the airon is on.

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

thanks for the great forum.

[TTDegs]

Originally Posted by LuCiUs

Hi Guys

After fighting with my Honda Dealer for around 6 months to get my scratched dash replaced, I have another problem I know they'll probably won't fix. We all know the saying: "If we can't reproduce the problem, we can't fix it".

I know Honda is quite raving about this "Drive by Wire" system. I read a bit about this and it sounds good, don't know if it is though. There's basically no wire involved as the name suggests. The throttle system is complete controlled by die car's computer. So, as you press down on the peddle, the computer calculates how far it's pushed and then gives the power accordingly. The problem I'm having I HOPE is not the Drive by Wire system. Here is what happens:

I would be driving quite normally, switching gears. Then suddenly, as I engage a gear the car losses power completely for about half a second and jerks. It then comes back again. This only happens now and again. And yes, I can drive The car also gets quite jerky when the airon is on.

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

thanks for the great forum.

Hi Lucius

is it manual, or i-shift?
any particular gear?
any particular revs?

cheers very, and welcome aboard

[Pottsy]

Lucius,

This should be fairly easy to diagnose and fix. The dealer will be able to check for error codes, and possibly check the action of the throttle pedal potentiometer.

For a problem like this with such an electronic car, a trip to the dealer is essential. He has the correct tools for the job.

[civie]

Originally Posted by LuCiUs

Hi Guys

After fighting with my Honda Dealer for around 6 months to get my scratched dash replaced, I have another problem I know they'll probably won't fix. We all know the saying: "If we can't reproduce the problem, we can't fix it".

I know Honda is quite raving about this "Drive by Wire" system. I read a bit about this and it sounds good, don't know if it is though. There's basically no wire involved as the name suggests. The throttle system is complete controlled by die car's computer. So, as you press down on the peddle, the computer calculates how far it's pushed and then gives the power accordingly. The problem I'm having I HOPE is not the Drive by Wire system. Here is what happens:

I would be driving quite normally, switching gears. Then suddenly, as I engage a gear the car losses power completely for about half a second and jerks. It then comes back again. This only happens now and again. And yes, I can drive The car also gets quite jerky when the airon is on.

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

thanks for the great forum.

I had exactly the same problem you have described my friend, It would happen just after gear change or if i was to accellerate in 3rd gear at approx 2000rpm the engine would "misfire " and then react to throttle movement.This took a few trips to the dealers as they had to recognise the symptoms before they could act upon them. I had a secondary problem other then yours mentioned, my dealer had my car 3 times to resolve this problem as it was the only 1 reported at the time,

The outcome. I now drive 2.2 Diesel.

[christophe]

Civie ,what was it that they did to resolve your problem ?

[LuCiUs]

...

Thanks for the reply guys. It is a manual. It looks like "civie" had the same problem.

Yes, what did they say was wrong "civie"?

.....

[edudat]

Actually, perhaps it is normal. As the throttle is electronic there is a small lag between you pushing the throttle and the car reacting (some 0,1 seconds or so). The reaction then may seem a little sharp. Maybe you note this more in some gear and speed than in other circumstances. Or perhaps the lag is too large and they have to fix the CPU.

[itsrelfy]

I get this to and it is especially noticable mid range in third, and as said before its crap when the air con is on. I thought it was the whole throttle lag thing with the computer, but i also have a great problem getting away smoothly and quickly when driving normally, if i want even a moderatly quick get away i have to boot the thing, otherwise it just bogs down on itself and judders, god knows what this is im too scared to take it to the dealers and find out.

Adrian

[civie]

Originally Posted by christophe

Civie ,what was it that they did to resolve your problem ?

To tell you the truth my friend they never did resolve the problem, My dealer and honda technical tried numorous "fixes" with the end result the same, i do know from contact with the dealer that the ecu had a new program entered, no good, sensors on the throttle changed, no good, Other electronic+mechanical changes made, and finally a new 07 model ecu cahnged with my own, no good. I exchanged the car before it was sorted out, what i do know for sure is that Honda uk had identical car at the factory and it had the same probs as mine, they were using that car as ginniepig to resolv my own problems.
Sorry i cannot tell you the outcome or what the underlying cause was, as i said, i exchanged vehicle for diesel sport.

However since then i hear it may be a characteristic of the very early models, When was your car registered my friend??

[czechplastik]

I take it this problem is unique to the i-vtec then?

[LuCiUs]

.....

I got my car in July 06. Was one of the first people to get one here in Cape Town. Unfortunately now I'm paying for it. Sometimes I wonder, with all these problems weir experiencing and ALL the rattles I have come accustomed to. Maybe I/we bought this car on looks, and looks alone. The test drive went GREAT. But as the times goes on more and more things started going wrong.

BUT, like one of the users already said. It's still hard to wipe the smile of my face

My dealer really knows S^%& about the new civic. I think I know more. Every time i went back to the dealer with a problem, he made sure that I understand that I'm the ONLY ONE with these problems. Made me feel kinda stupid. But thanks to this forum, I have proof!

Thanks for the help. Hope I can get this thing sorted out. BTW, why isn't one of the HONDA JAPAN guys responding to all these problems? Is that what the service bulletin is for? Then i need to get a copy of the latest one. Anyone know where I can download it?

Thanks again...

[civie]

Originally Posted by LuCiUs

.....



My dealer really knows S^%& about the new civic. I think I know more. Every time i went back to the dealer with a problem, he made sure that I understand that I'm the ONLY ONE with these problems. Made me feel kinda stupid. But thanks to this forum, I have proof!


Thanks again...

I don't think one of the Honda guys from japan will respond to your problems LuCiUs, The Civic motor is UK Built at Swindon, However you should not be fobbed off or feel intimidated by your suppling dealer, if you feel your car is not performing as it should, return it to the dealer and insist they investigate all avenues, As it is a new engine and chassis my dealer were just as keen to resolve this problem, as i have mentioned in previous threads it went back in 3 times, only on the last return did they find the problem, after lengthy snap shots and recording data as the vehicle was moving did they eventually record the data that evidence of a intermittent fault. What was made more difficult was that NO error codes flagged up and stored in the cars ECU.

Secondly, i believe your car was a very early model, (reg July 06), taking into account logistics etc, i assume it is one of the first to be made.
I wish you luck.

[smiffy]

My car was reg in July 06, and I'm glad to say it doesn't show any of this behaviour. There must be a faulty component in there somethere - the problem is how to find it!

[LuCiUs]

Hey Civie

My car is due for its first service. What can i tell the honda guys to look at to rectify the problem? Did the Honda guys say anything to you about how they fixed it?

Maybe i can email them to ask.

...

[civie]

Originally Posted by LuCiUs

Hey Civie

My car is due for its first service. What can i tell the honda guys to look at to rectify the problem? Did the Honda guys say anything to you about how they fixed it?

Maybe i can email them to ask.

...

Hi Again LuCiUs, I wish i had the answer for you, like i said, i took 3 visits to my dealers for them to find the fault, the 3rd time they asked to keep the car for 1 week to drive and find the problem, LUCKILY for me it happened whilst they had the car, and the data downloaded to swindon for analysis, However after remapping the car, new ecu fitted etc the problem was still there. For this reason i exchanged for the Diesel because both parties were at a loss for this happenng and most importantly the problem was recognised.

As mentioned Swindon Technical had identical problem car on site and this was basically been stripped to find the problem.

The only advice i can give is this, if you can afford for the garage to hold onto your car let them do so, and ask to do like for like comparisons with another i-vtec. Also take another similar car out yourself and compare driving and running comparisons, i found this helpfull as well as my service manager, who noticed quite a difference between the two.

Best of luck with your car.
Regards
Civie

[LuCiUs]

...

Thanks Civie, will mention this to the dealer.

...

[Terrcivic]

I bought a new(ish) Civic less than 3 weeks ago and have been appalled by the engine performance: dropping power / revs following gear changes; poor acceleration; sudden jerks forward etc. It's only thanks to this website that I knew I wasn't going completely mad. I've already tried the dealership and surprise, surprise, I got the "typical woman who doesn't know what she's talking about" fob-off. OK, so it's only a 1.4 but there's rubbish performance and then there's this car! I've just finished talking to an independant engineer and he's advised that get this, the car's performance is being adversely affected by the air con! The only way I can be sure that it's not going to play up is to drive without it on!? Not only that, but if the display doesn't actually say 'air con off', it's still on - sounds obvious I know but trust me, you'll think it's off when it isn't AND it switches itself on if you try to de-mist the rear windscreen! He's advised that I go back to the dealership again so that they can upgrade the chip to compensate for the loss of power through the air-con. He reckons it'll make some difference but probably not much. Apparently, I'd need a 2-litre diesel car to cope with the air con system. SO it's back to the dealership I go. Lucky me!

[3rd Honda]

Terrcivic,

I had a 1.4 as a loan car, and whilst is wasn't exactly a hot hatch (it was never meant to be), it was smooth, quiet, responsive, and no way like you are describing. In fact it was a pleasant drive. The air con does use engine power, but normally you wouldn't notice this.

Get back to your dealer and get them to sort it, and if the independent engineer talks such rubbish, I wouldn't pay his bill!

[LuCiUs]

Hey Terrcivic

My next step will be to go to another dealer. Unfortunately this dealer is some time away and will cause much more effort. I've never had so much problems with a car. Today there is another article here in South Africa that Honda won the JD Power and Associates Quality awards for the 3rd time in a row. HOW THE &^%&^ CAN THAT BE!!!! Up to now I've written 2 emails to Honda SA Headquarters. They did receive it, but no reply. I've also written a email to JD Power and Associates and a popular online car magazine. JD did reply, but they couldn't help me. The online car magazine also didn't reply, which means they couldn't care less.

I bet you going to a different dealer won't solve the problems. If the dealer tells you it can't be fixed, then thats it, nothing you can do. I think the only thing that will make the dealers take their finger out of their @sses is if you could just return the car. That would be a huge loss to them, but you can't. Technically the car isn't yours. It belongs to the bank until you have paid it off in full. And then it's too late.

Someone also wrote a letter to Honda Japan. Again, they told her to sort it out with her dealer. They don't really give a S&*%.

[chriswarwick]

The air-con certainly made an impact on engine power with my 1.4 Jazz. This became far more pronounced in very hot weather where as expected the air con worked overtime. With the Civic's heavier body, and I assume very hot weather, I have sympathy with the 1.4's engine trying to cope.