Shut off going down the road
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 81
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From: Charleston SC
Shut off going down the road
Yesterday afternoon tried to start car turned over security lamp flashed service eng flashed and a relay behind the left side of dash was clicking. Tried a few more times then just waited. It cranked up ran fine. Came home and parked the car. Since security lamp was flashin I thought it might be the key and I had a new one. Used the new key today started right up. Went to Auto Zone, on the way home at about 40 it shut off with no warning. I put it in neutral and it cranked up. The car always runs good. Could it be the fuel system? Its a 90 with 92k no mods.
Thanks Louie
Thanks Louie
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
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From: San Pedro CA
Re: Shut off going down the road (Louis J Hoppmann)
that could be a number of things... and a lot depends on maintenance history!
Depending... check the fuel pump and filter.
I would also check the coil and distributor. I remember people mentioning distributor gears and such failing... if all else fails, I would do a complete tune-up. if it has not been done in a while. it never hurts!
any clicking in the rear could be relays for the fuel pump or ABS.
Good luck... these can be tricky.
Depending... check the fuel pump and filter.
I would also check the coil and distributor. I remember people mentioning distributor gears and such failing... if all else fails, I would do a complete tune-up. if it has not been done in a while. it never hurts!
any clicking in the rear could be relays for the fuel pump or ABS.
Good luck... these can be tricky.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Big D Tx
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Shut off going down the road (bogus)
could be fuel or spark delivery like stated before. have the coil and ignition module tested. visually inspect the spark plug wires to see their condition (although i dont think wires would give the symptoms you are experiencing). might as well replace the fuel filter now for preventive mantinance, its cheap anyways. if you got a few extra bucks to spend, might as well just buy your car a new coil, ignition module, cap, rotor, wires, spark plugs, fuel filter, and air filter. that is if you havent done this recently, you should always do this when you buy a car anyways.
[Modified by 88L98, 11:15 AM 10/13/2001]
[Modified by 88L98, 11:15 AM 10/13/2001]
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Shut off going down the road (Louis J Hoppmann)
Put a gauge on the Schraeder to determine if you have enough fuel pressure. If not pull fuel pump assembly and clean the three contacts just under the mounting flange.
If OK, start to check out ignition circuit.
What year??
If OK, start to check out ignition circuit.
What year??
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Big D Tx
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Shut off going down the road (88L98)
by the way, i dont think the no crank condition was related to the dying while driving. im willing to bet the chip in your key wasnt read correctly, and it just needed a few minutes to reset the VATS module.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
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From: San Diego, Ca
Re: Shut off going down the road (Louis J Hoppmann)
Could be the fuel filter. What happens is sediment gets stirred up and restricts flow causing the engine to die. Sediment resettles and car starts, runs fine and then everything gets stirred up again blocking the line. The way to check for it is to attach a pressure gauge, duct tape it to the windshield and drive the car. If pressure drops right before it dies, it's probably the filter.
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 81
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From: Charleston SC
Re: Shut off going down the road (Louis J Hoppmann)
I went back to Auto Zone and got a fuel filter and a fuel gauge. I connected the gauge. The first time I turn key to on it went to 20 lbs. I bleed the gauge and tried it a few more times and it went to 40 then back to 38. I hooked my mini-vac to the regulator pulled 15 and left it while I changed the filter. I went down to 14 by the time I was finished. Cranked car 4 or 5 times and let it idle the fuel gauge was between 38 and 35. The old filter had an AC Spark Plug label. The ignition module I think is the original. May get one tomorrow. It was too late to take the car out today will do that in am. Thanks every-ones help.
Thanks Louie
Thanks Louie
