i have a 1990 honda civic dx sedan and i was driving and the car bogged out. i pulled over the car was still at idle but when i put my foot on the gas, a check engine light came on then the car died. i can go out to it right now and it will start but it dies when the motor gets any gas. sputters like its out of gas wen gas is pressed then dies. but starts and idles. what could be the problem before i spend unnecessary money on parts that are not the problem.



thanx,
explorer97

 

Since the CEL came on, there should be a code stored which would be an important clue. Check the code.

Also disconnect the fuel return hose and check your fuel flow. If very slow it could be a clogged fuel filter or trouble with the pump.

 

where would the cel be?

 

CEL is merely the yellow Check Engine Light on the dashboard.

In order to check the codes on a 1990 you would pull down the carpet on the firewall where the passenger's feet would be and observe the red light on the ECU computer itself. Turn the key on but don't start. It will blink a number of times, pause, and blink again. The number of blinks is the code.

 

i found the code. its the code 8. tdc censor is bad and possibly an ignition coil. worth fixin?