Car stopping in traffic
My VT's engine has recently developed a nasty habit of stopping in moving traffic. It would be tolerable if it only happened in quiet back streets but the thought of it stopping whilst on a busy roundabout or in high speed traffic worries me. Rightfully so, it particularly worries my wife who drives the car 90% of the time. So much so that she will no longer drive it. So its a matter of get it fixed or get another car.
The car has 240,000 k's on the clock. It has only stopped twice, about 10 days apart, while she was driving. As it hasn't stopped while I was driving, I can only tell you what she told me. While driving in traffic there was a total loss of power when pressure was applied to the accelerator peddle. She steered the car to the side of the road amidst lots of beeping from inconvenienced motorists. She than turned the key & the car started. I asked if she was certain the car had actually stopped & she was. Under the circumstances, she does not remember if lights were displayed on the dash, & does not think she put the car into park before restarting the car. This makes me wonder if the car had actually stopped or just experienced power loss. However she is sure it had stopped. The auto electrician could find no fault, nor could our mechanic. He says there is not much he can do as the cause of the problem is not evident. Another mechanic advised he could attempt to find & fix the problem by the method of trial & error. This would be Ok but could become very expensive.
So, I was wondering if anyone else had experienced a similar problem or could advise me on the likely cause of it. Any advice would be appreciated as I want to keep the car. I've looked through past posts but could not find the solution.
Thanks
Could be the oxygen sensors.
Cost about $100 a pair on ebay and are easy to change yourself.
Right Foot Action
If you, a mechanic and an auto electrician can't find out whats wrong then its time to burn.....
Although it could be an earthing problem
Crank angle sensor? Fuel pump/filter? Electrical/earthing issue? Its hard to diagnose without a good clear explanation of the fault but you'd be silly for selling an otherwise good car because it's probably a very simple fix.
Thats what I am hoping for monkeys437... a simple fix. The trial & error method may be the only option unless someone has a a very similar experience.
start with the CAS which is the most common fault, was it a HOT day when the car stopped????
Sounds like a crank angle sensor problem to me.
But before you go replacing anything, check the wiring harness connection that joins onto the DFI module. (the DFI sits under the coils).
Its common to get a loose connection there that will make the car stop intermittently. The connection's pins have all got to be spotlessly clean and a nice firm fit.
Check my post on this, I think i covered almost all that there is to check when a car stalls. Still waiting to see if there's any other part that needs to be replaced. If your car was already at 240K, it might be time to replace some parts
the DFI module has a small screw where the connection pins fit in,highly unlikely this will be loose.
I would like to thank all you guys who have given me some direction now in solving this problem.
My plan is, in conjunction with my mechanic, to work my way through the advice (possible solutions) given by you.
He knows his stuff & I think has already ruled out a CAS problem.
I think it was around 30 degree C on the two days when the car engine stopped Bones308.
I am going to read your post now blacknight. I hope the immediate solution to my wife's car engine stopping problem will become evident & fixed REAL SOON.
Otherwise, a new/used car or my 1985 240 GL volvo with only 73,000 on the odometre becomes the work horse.
Again thanks to all.
Not the bolt that holds the connection together - the actual pins. You have to get i there with a fine pick of some sort and adjust the connections so they close up firmer.the DFI module has a small screw where the connection pins fit in,highly unlikely this will be loose.
F O R U M W A R R I O R
Never seen o2 sensors cause a car to stall.Originally Posted by jughead1
Had a few cars where the power terminal in the DFI connector had backed out. Pull the connector off and look into it and make sure you can see all the terminals are fully home in the connector.
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If the Car is stalling and cuts out in drive then it could lead to splits in the purge hoses.
see this thread Replaceing purge hose
Thanks again to everyone for your suggestions. I will be passing it on to my mechanic. Hope he takes it the right way.
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