Revs fluctuate, lights flicker, car dies out

[Cupid22]

I have a 97 Honda Civic LX. As I'm driving, the dash lights will all of a sudden start flickering, and dimming in and out. The check engine light comes on, and is still on. The revs will fluctuate, as I'm going a constant speed or accelerate, the revs will shoot up and down. The car does this off and on for a good 20-25 minutes until finally dying out. If anyone else had this problem and knows how to fix, please help me.
Thanks, all help appreciated.

 

[Blood_Shot]

does it have trouble starting or is this just after you have been driving for awhile

 

[Gunner]

start by pulling your code..find out what the check engine light is tell you. It could be a lot of things at this point so start with the light. dying while driving would lead you to check your alternator and battery system also.

 

[Cupid22]

Alternator has just been changed.

 

[Cupid22]

does it have trouble starting or is this just after you have been driving for awhile

It starts, and then will either act up early into the drive or after a while..

 

[Gunner]

What is the code for? still could be several things.. sensor could be bad, computer, ignition system..etc.

 

[civic209]

Need code.

 

[young_]

definitely pull the code, but you can also check the ground on your negative terminal off your battery, and make sure your alternator is properly grounded.

 

[Cupid22]

ok, just did the code checking and I got 5 codes

17- VSS Speed Sensor
20 - Electrical Load Detector
41- Primary Oxygen Sensor Heater
65- Secondary oxygen sensor heater wire (black wires)
67- Cat Converter

 

[young_]

Damn, I can find you the speed sensor for 15 buck on eBay though. Autozone wants 90.
I just replaced mine and thankfully its an easy fix, this wasn't the case in mine but I read that the speed sensor gone bad can mess up all type of stuff, (inaccurate shift points, etc.)

 

[RonJ]

Is 7.5A dash fuse 15 blown? If so, click the fuse 15 TSB in my signature.

 

[mikemo]

check engine ground also had most of same issues with my civic

 

[Cupid22]

Ok, quick update...
Fuse 15 was surprisingly not blown...but I did discover there was an exposed wire behind the Intake Manifold Bracket. I taped it up, and the VSS and Cat Converter code went away...

I'm only left with the ELD, and the 2 Oxygen sensors
20, 41, and 65...I'll be replacing the the 2 Sensors, and see what happens afterwards...
another note, the Speedometer is still not working

 

[RonJ]

Test installed fuse 15 for voltage at both top test tabs with the key in ON(II). Click on the Fuses link in my signature.