HELP PLEASE!!! About a year ago, while entering into a VERY busy highway intersection, turning left, when I go to push the accelerator the engine just quit?? All lights on like before you turn key to start and I am literally a sitting duck with a yellow light! Luckily, I was able to frantically put in Neutral and get restarted. Got to destination but didn't make it to a parking space. Car would start but as soon as you put it in gear, off.

My mechanic checked computer for codes and there were none. Checked the injectors, get gas fine - nice spray/good. Checked fusebox, all good. Not sure if we checked the relay but determined fuel pump needed replacing. That done week ago.

Picked up car and while driving home, out of the blue, pushed down on pedal then... nothing. Car just "turned off". Coasted to safe place and began trying to restart engine. Turns over great but doesn't engage. This not the same as before, car starts and drives fine until... ??

After several attempts, engine starts and I am on my way (hesitant to accel). Almost cut-off once but made it to gas station to fill up. Fresh gas in tank but only filled to just about the red zone on gauge. Mayble a little gunk picked up in the fuel line? So filled tank up completely. Got around back of service station and... off she goes. After maybe 20 minutes, started up fine. One more incident on way home but was able to quickly restart by putting in N. Finally got it home.

PLEASE TELL ME WHY THIS IS HAPPENING?? Loose battery cable? Shorted wire at fuel pump?? Relay?? Never know when gonna happen but usually occurs when I pickup out of coasting.

Car is parked and needs to be moved. Want to try to drive to mechanics home 10 miles away so I am hoping this is a simple thing and a quick fix. Thanks!!

 

Is there a port to put a fuel pressure guage on? Does it quit in neutral just trying to rev it up, or only under a load?

Fuel psi gauge should tell you more.

 

Not sure on fuel pressure gauge, will check that out. As for quitting in Neutral, I haven't experienced it for I only put in N when I am moving in order to try and keep moving vs. having to find a place to pull over.

So to answer your question: no, only under load (accel out of idle/coast).

 

Ask the guy that changed the fuel pump if he also changed the rubber connector between the pump and the hard line inside the tank.

 

Certainly sounds like a fuel issue .... during light loads, system could pressure up fine, but with accel, could bleed down quickly .... fuel filter ???/ did the shop put in an OEM pump ???? check lines and connections ..??? would also make certain all vac lines are connected properly ... TBs, EGR, MAP etc ..... should see fast idle if this is problem ... but a crack in the lines could cause issues ... ??
Good luck with your search .........

 

Where/how do I check the fuel pressure?

 

Thanks for the info. Saving me mucho time assessing where to start. much obliged.

 

I had that happen twice. I found the connector going to my distrubutor was barely making a connection due to the retainer clip being broken.. I put a new end on it and never had the problem again.

 

thanks! I'll add that to my list...

 

If it is just shutting of like you turned a switch I would look into the ignition system. Fuel issues for me always have some sort of warning, a sputter, or no acceleration. But a shut down right when you step on it sounds ignition related to me. The feed wire to the distributor comes from the alternator and may be rubbing something near the carb and causing the issue.

 

Just read a thread stating that if experiencing issues with headlights and/or wipers (wipers stopped working about 6 months before this engine issue happened? Was instructed in earlier reply to check all the vacuum lines, but how likely is this part of my current problem? Will eventually get to the wiper problem... but usually when raining I drive my other car. :o)

 

Thanks again... will add it to my list. Getting all the help I can before I head over to where the car is. Sure helps in figuring the tools I may need.

By the way... is there any way to test/check if I fixed the problem without having to just drive and hope it does happen anymore? It might just be me but its embarrassing when your vette breaks down in public. lol

 

Install fuel pressure gauge by the fuel filter. T it off and set it buy the windshield . Try and use a low pressure guage 0-30 psi. Crossfire vette's usually have this problem below 1/4 tank of gas. Have a passenger watch the gauge during a few launches or hard cornering.

 

I vote for electrical - If it is a complete shutdown, not a stumble. It could even be a battery cable shorting out - don't ask me how I know. I would get it running and jiggle ( a technical term) wiring under hood and see if you can replicate the symptom.

 

Vacuum is related to how the CFI system works ..... if all other vacuum is working and not leaking,(which sounds like it is if idle is good) then the next thing would be the Map sensor .... it controls fueling ... if it's bad ... fueling will be bad .... it could be freaking out on tip in ..... then I would turn to the O2 sensor ... it could be fried .....

re fuel pressure ... best place for measurement is between the throttle bodies ......


Let us know how it goes .......

 

you have an ignition problem wire or coil the coil will shut down under load if its going bad wire from ignition switch co coil will useally not restart

 

If it happens on turns and take off why would it be electrical??? A small chance something is moving and shorting. Not saying he shouldn't track down his wiper problems but he needs to isolate these problems before tearing into it!
I've had my CFI stall if I keep my foot into it with a low fuel condition but usually I can feel it happening and back out in time. A fuel pressure gauge and an Air/fuel gauge would be a good start and some basic volt meter tests .

 

I don't know that it is a small chance. I have had electrical problems do this very symptom. Fuel will usually sputter and surge not just completely stop. And it doesn't have to just short (go to ground) it could lose contact (open)

 

if its running out of fuel the car will most likly sputter and keep trying to run
if it shuts off then its electrical now tell me does this have the electrinic distribritor with the coil in the top if so there is a small ecm in it it is bolted to the bottom of the dist inside and has a plug in on one side and 2 wires with spade hooks on the other. it this fails it will do just what you are telling me you can pul this out and have it tested at any Orielly parts store for free they can tell you if its good or bad , new one costs &25.00 they are common and availible

 

this takes about 10 mins to pull you will need a screwdrive and a 1/4" nut driver