honda stops then restarts

My 98 Honda (only 48,000) five shift. Will suddenly stop on me
(radio/clock stays on).
Restart immediately. This will happen usually when first driving (5
- 10 min) and has
been doing it for one month. Gas mileage is excellent. I have had
gas filter, tune up,
check airfiliter. Guy says it is the fuel pump ($200.00). Honda
mechanic says probably
main relay. Is anyone else having the same problems and or solution?
I love my Honda
so much, I told my kid I want to be buried in it. My kind (19 yrs
old) has not talked to me
all week.

Dr. Pete

 

If the radio stays on then you could probably rule out the ignitin
switch.
It probably needs a tune-up i.e. something to do with the distributor.

 

You can resolder the main relay and eliminate that as a problem,at no cost
except your time and labor.
(unless you don't know how to solder;a new relay is $50 or more.)
Once resoldered,they aren't a problem for a LONG time,if at all.

See www.tegger.com

IMO,a fuel pump problem would be a continual problem,not just for the first
10 min.

 

A tune up won't help if main relay is flakey. Go with the Honda mechanic.

Could be an intermitant distributor (igniter) but these usually just fail
outright. Unlikely to be the fuel pump unless the car stops after a high
speed run that puts demands on it.

SJD

 

Wouldn't be a bad idea to check the water level in the battery if you have that kind of battery.

 

You really need to know if the ignition is dying or the fuel is dying. If
it's the ignition the tach usually will drop like a stone even though the
engine is still turning. The cutout will be sudden, even jarring. If the
fuel is dropping out and the ignition is still working the tach will follow
the engine speed down and the loss of power will be gentler, especially at
low speeds.

Mike