First time I have posted on here, so thanks for any ideas and suggestions in advance.
I have a 95 Civic ESI Vtec SOHC. Recently I have had problems starting the car. In the morning it will start but as soon as it starts it cuts straight back out. I found that one of the terminals connecting the battery was loose, tightened itand the car seemed to be fine, until when driving the power cut out again, (as if if turning key to turn off car). Tried to start it again, same thing started fine, Drove ok then cut out another couple of times. I had the oil and plugs changed. Car running fine, until it started happening again today (but not cutting out when driving) There is no CEL staying on, just the usual 2 secs on start up - can hear the fuel pump kicking in.
Could contaminated fuel be causing the problem? As I think I may have been to BP on both occassions to fill up?Any ideas? Dont think is the distributor. Car has 61000miles on clock with full Honda History. (owned for just over a year).

 

faulty spark plug wires are a possibility. why are you ruling out the distributor? it is a likely cause for this.

 

If when the engine dies, the dash lights turn off, then you might have a bad ignition switch.

 

was told distributor would cause me not to be able to drive at all? Although im no expert, just what was told to me

 

when engine cuts out, lights on dash are as if when you put ignition to on position i.e. battery light oil light cel (2secs) ABS all come on......???

 

Okay, the problem doesn't fit with a bad ignition switch. It's difficult to get a handle on the problem when the engine cuts out when running. In contrast, you can troubleshoot when the engine won't start. In this case, test whether the fuel pump primes and whether you have spark at the plugs. This information will help identify the specific problem.

 

Could my alarm be causing this problem do you think? Notice the alarm beeps and doors open when power cuts. Its happened about 5 times on way from work.

 

does your alarm have a feature that would do this (shut off the engine) to a thief?

 

Well just a clifford alarm and an immobilizer. Nothin to fancy

 

You may be able to test your idea by disabling the alarm, if you know how.