NSX Ignition

Stunner

Stunner

Contributing Member
Joined
7 November 2004
Messages
203
Location
Elizabethtown, PA
Hi I'm new, picked up my 91 NSX last Friday. Anyway, it has 68,000 miles on it and I notice sometimes under heavy acceleration usually around 3500 rpms I get a stutter or a "hiccup" like feeling in the acceleration. Also sometimes when the engine is cold it takes a while for the engine to crank before it starts. Does this sound like an ignition problem, possibly plugs, wires, coil, etc? If so are there any aftermarket ignition solutions? Thanks for any help possible.
 
Sounds a little like a fuel starvation problem, possibly the fuel main relay starting to go south. Are you getting any check engine lights? I'm assuming you did not get a pre-purchase inspection done.

I would also stick with OEM for replacement parts.

good luck
 
I didn't do a pre purchase inspection, but I'm also not getting any check engine lights either. The car is cherry and completely OEM. The previous owner was anal about his NSX which I'm very happy about but this is kinda worrying me. Is a main fuel relay very labor intensive? I work at a new car dealership and I have plenty of techs who are willing to help me work on it. Thanks again.
 
You work at a dealership and have techs to look at your car why are you posting questions here :confused: I recomend you read all the info here in the FAQ section and any other info you can find on the internet. My guess is you have a failing o2 sensor, see the online service manual in the reference section of the FAQ's for the test procedure.
 
Bet you a 6 pack of Bud it is one or more of the ignition coil/packs. Very common and the exact symptoms you suggest - you may want to do a search. Also - very easy for the dealer to test.

Please report back and let us know what you find...
 
matteni said:
Bet you a 6 pack of Bud it is one or more of the ignition coil/packs. Very common and the exact symptoms you suggest - you may want to do a search. Also - very easy for the dealer to test.

Please report back and let us know what you find...
Click to expand...



I agree with Matteni... but if this doesn't work, check your O2 wires.. I had this problem and it was a bad connection where the wires enter the actual O2 sensor. I replaced the O2 sensor and problem was gone.


Good Luck..
 
Ok well here is the update so far. Drove the NSX on the highway. At a steady pace of 75 mph and moderate throttle the "Check engine" light came on. I got off the next exit pulled over and shut her down. I waited about 5 minutes and started her up again without a problem. "Check engine" light is now off. I decided to get back on the highway going the other way so I could get home and I decided to punch the throttle in third gear on the on-ramp. At 2,000 rpms it started to stumble slightly. It continued to stumble and stutter until I got to 4,200 rpms and then the rpms just stuck there. Throttle was wide open and the engine seemed to be unable to break free of 4,200 rpms and it was very easy to notice a lack in performance. After about a second or two of being stuck, it broke out of 4,200 rpms and climbed through the rpms without incident. Now the problem is consistent between 2,000 and 4,200 rpms wide open throttle or not, but the "check engine" light hasn't returned. Tomorrow I am installing a new fuel filter and having the injectors power flushed. I have a feeling that 6 new coil packs are going to have to be ordered as well. What are a good set of performance plugs to run? Do NSXs react well to iridium plugs? Anyway, sorry for the story but that's the whole deal. I will post tomorrow with an update after the fuel filter has been installed and the injectors cleaned. Thanks for the tips!
 
Can you retrieve codes from OBDI even if the "Check engine" light isn't presently on? For example in my situation, if I take my car to an Acura dealership will the ECU have the recorded "check engine" code still on it from yesterday or does the light have to be on at the time for the technician to retrieve the code?
 
Based on his line of reasoning and questions, I really questioned if Stunner actually worked at a dealership....

I now have absolute proof that he works at a new car dealership:
I am installing a new fuel filter and having the injectors power flushed.
Click to expand...

I can't imangine anything useful from a "power flush", except maybe to flush some of you money down the toilet. You fuel filter is probably fine, and it sure doesn't have anything to do with whatever problems you are describing. You would know this if you spent some time reading and learning first.

You need to spend SEVERAL HOURS reading through all the FAQs on NSXprime. Read them!! You are probably stressing yourself out on all this.

Repeat: sit down and read through ALL the technical stuff on the NSXprime.com, it is here for a reason. When you are done with that: www.danoland.com for (Thanks DanO!) real advice on how to do useful work on your car.

Things you do need to know: you have an OBDI (one) car, the CEL is formally called the the MIL (malfunction indicator light) and the entire 91 manual is scanned in for your convienance on NSXprime too.

BEFORE you do any more of your "dealer approved" work and spend your money rashly: pull the MIL codes. If you are so inclined check and record the hot and cold resistance of each coil pack. They are expensive, so you only want to replace them if required.

Drew

I'm about to jump on folks for calling it a CEL, but I check myself when correcting TheSaint (even though he should know better). It makes it difficult for new people to search and find answers if they are using the wrong terms.
 
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drew said:
I'm about to jump on folks for calling it a CEL, but I check myself when correcting TheSaint (even though he should know better). It makes it difficult for new people to search and find answers if they are using the wrong terms.
Click to expand...

My 91 service manual calls it a check engine light. But in newer cars that has changed to Manfunction Indicator Light MIL. OBDII cars??
 
Oops, I stand corrected. Thank you Brian.

The 91 manual refers to Check Engine light, with the C and E only in caps...So a CE light then?

However, no reference to CEL as an acronym though, so a search on that would come up empty.

Drew
 
Go Here:

http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/Reference/1991_svcman/1991_svcman.htm ALL questions will be answered:)

Chapter 11 is where you want to be. Page 11-16 is the matrix if probable causes for each code, and 11-18 tells you how to get the codes from the dash indicator.

Before I bothered changing anything, I would get a fuel pressure gauge on it, for a test drive. JMO

HTH,
LarryB
 
Where is the OBD connector for 91 models? The FAQ section says it's either under the dash or behind the ash tray. I found the PCM under the glovebox but I don't see any connectors for a scanner to be accessed.
 
Stunner said:
Where is the OBD connector for 91 models? The FAQ section says it's either under the dash or behind the ash tray. I found the PCM under the glovebox but I don't see any connectors for a scanner to be accessed.
Click to expand...


A scanner is not supported on OBDI cars like your 91. See the on line service manual in the faq's here on prime for the simple procedure to retrieve the codes. I am not sure what you mean by "PCM" but your ECU is not behind the glove box.

Maybe its time to rate some of Stunner's posts ;)
 
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:rolleyes: Easy with that line buddy! Geez... PCM is an acronym for Powertrain Control Module. A.k.a the ECU. Sorry I'm not down on all the lingo just yet, just a force of habit. I have to get my mind out of all the domestic car terms because of my job, and I did just get out of the world of rotary engines after being there for many years. So just try and deal with my asinine amateuresque remarks. Thanks anyway.
 
Changed the fuel filter, replaced all the spark plugs and found a little bit of corrosion on one of the coils so I cleaned them all while they were out. She runs like new now, and the CEL hasn't returned for over a week.
 
Stunner said:
Changed the fuel filter, replaced all the spark plugs and found a little bit of corrosion on one of the coils so I cleaned them all while they were out. She runs like new now, and the CEL hasn't returned for over a week.
Click to expand...

You, still need to jumper your codes and look them up....really
you still need to know what the working spec is on your coils so test them anyway even though you are running well again
you still need to check fuel pressure at the access point on the fuel filter(test port)
you car is old like mine (91), send out the injectors to RC and get a C&C

then you will be good to go!
 

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