Engine Cut Out While Driving On Highway - Need Advice!

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Sep 28, 2001 | 05:24 PM

ChrisW89

Thread Starter

1st Gear

Joined: Sep 2001

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From: Greenwood Ont

Engine Cut Out While Driving On Highway - Need Advice!

My first problem, hence my first post!

While driving on the hwy - about 130kph, my speed started to drop and I realized that my engine had died. I pulled over to the shoulder and called for a tow. From time to time, while waiting for the truck, I tried to start the engine. It would crank but wouldnt start. When I got the car back home and unloaded it from the truck, it started with no problem! I have tested the pressure at the fuel rail and it seems fine (35-40 lbs). At first I suspected the fuel pump, but now I'm not so sure. I don't mind changing the fuel pump if this is what is wrong. Another hint may be that before this happened, I had noticed that the idle seemed a little higher than normal. By the way, the car is an 89 with about 160k km.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Sep 28, 2001 | 05:35 PM

MrJay

Burning Brakes

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 1,023

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From: Marietta, South Carolina, USA

Re: Engine Cut Out While Driving On Highway - Need Advice! (ChrisW89)

I would think it is something in the timeing because it got better when the engine got cold again, it sound like maybe a coil is getting hot and quiting on you or something like that.

Wish I could help you more but hope this helps a little.

Jay

Sep 28, 2001 | 05:44 PM

CAJUN C4

Safety Car

Joined: Feb 2000

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From: MANDEVILLE, LA La

Re: Engine Cut Out While Driving On Highway - Need Advice! (ChrisW89)

I had the Exact same problem...It's either the Ignition Module, My first guess or the Pick-up module. Could be coil Because it does it when Hot. I went through 5 Ignition modules in 3 months because my Pick up Module was the coulprit and would burn them out.Changed them both,no trouble for 2 years now.I did however change the coil as well .

Sep 28, 2001 | 06:23 PM

into01000101

Racer

Joined: Apr 2001

Posts: 497

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From: Work is the curse of the drinking classes

Re: Engine Cut Out While Driving On Highway - Need Advice! (CAJUN C4)

Keep an eye on the computer. My car was having literally the exact same problem. I would drive down the road, everything was doing fine and then BAM, it would sputter and die. Then it would start back up a few minutes later and start the whole thing over again. I took it into the dealer, and even though my computer wasn't showing any codes, it was messed up. They simply replaced my computer and it has been perfect since. I didn't even suspect my computer! I don't like going to dealers for work, but they diagnosed it right the first time and fixed it fast. You could spend hundreds on fixing it yourself, and still not find the problem. It may pay to do a diagnosis at a shop, since your car dying on a road is very dangerous. period.

Sep 28, 2001 | 06:25 PM

into01000101

Racer

Joined: Apr 2001

Posts: 497

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From: Work is the curse of the drinking classes

Re: Engine Cut Out While Driving On Highway - Need Advice! (into01000101)

Keep in mind that Cajun C4 has an 84, and his diagnosis was for the Cross Fire Injected variant, not the Tuned Port setup(assuming). Different setups have different problems. Good Luck!

Sep 28, 2001 | 06:30 PM

Justin Scherer

Instructor

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 198

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From: 101 Edgemere Ave.

Re: Engine Cut Out While Driving On Highway - Need Advice! (ChrisW89)

Well, if its a '92 through '96 it fits PERFECTLY the description of an Opti Spark problem. Mine did the exact same thing to me. Then 7 months later it left me stranded (just cutting out at highway speed). I had done the whole fuel rail pressure thing and all. Only other symptom I had at the time was difficulty starting on wet mornings.
Justin....

[Modified by Justin Scherer, 4:31 PM 9/28/2001]

Sep 28, 2001 | 06:38 PM

Aggravated4life

Race Director

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 14,130

Likes: 7

Cruise-In II Veteran

Re: Engine Cut Out While Driving On Highway - Need Advice! (Justin Scherer)

It does sound like the igntion module or coil can be on its way out...it can also be a number of things and unless youre able to test the parts yourself, its going to be a trial and error of throwing parts at the car and taking a chance.
It can be the ecm, who knows.
WHen my 86 had this problem, it was the MAF sensor..if your car dies and you pull over, open the hood and unplug the MAF sensor and see if it will start up any better then nothing at all...it will run rough unplugged but it can help pinpoint.

Try and see if theres any trouble codes stored in the ecm.If the MAF is the probem, change the relays the same time.

Hope you dont get stuck throwing parts at the car and not solving it the first time out.
Let us know what you find and also the condition of the ignition module,coil and etc.

Sep 28, 2001 | 09:33 PM

DoubleAught

Intermediate

Joined: Aug 2001

Posts: 42

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Re: Engine Cut Out While Driving On Highway - Need Advice! (CAJUN C4)

Mine did the same thing...it turned out to be an electrical failure that took out both the ignition module & the computer. It would start, run long enough to get out of the drive & down the block, and then die. It doesn't take very long for the injectors to foul the plugs when there's no spark, either.