Car shuts down while driving down the road

Tiny
TINA IVEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 187,000 MILES
My car shuts down while driving down the road and it seems to me that is does the mostly when the weather is hot, I also sometimes hear like a whining sound and it is coming from the back of the car. The car has shut off driving several times and your answers will be appreciated. Thanks.
Saturday, September 10th, 2016 AT 12:11 PM

62 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Yep I just had this problem in the shop had to replace the fuel pump and replay here is a video thats shows you how.

https://youtu.be/Lhd0vd8pdBU

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Saturday, September 10th, 2016 AT 2:40 PM
Tiny
PNORMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 162,000 MILES
Why does my car stalls when the ETS Off light comes on?
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
I don't know first thing I would do is have the computers scanned for codes and let me know the exact code numbers you have.
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PNORMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
The code reads cranshaft sensor but I replaced it twice didn't fix the problem

thanks
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Alright what is the exact code number you have not code descriptions?
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PNORMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Sorry didn't keep it Auto Zone did the reading
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
I really need the exact code numbers so I can look up the trouble trees for you and help you figure this out.
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PNORMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Ok but thanks any way
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
I am here to help I would need those codes even if I was there working on the car. The first thing I would do is get my scan tool and see what codes you have.
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PNORMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I dont have a scan tool I've had it in 3 different shops and they can't figure it out I have replaced the fuel pump and filter the cam and crankshaft sensors the airflow sensor and the ICM board fuel relay tuned it up. THe car runs and drives great for a couple of days then the ETS Off light comes on then the check engine light and then it acts like it's running out of gas and dies, Sometimes it starts right back other times it takes maybe an hour before it starts back.
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
So why can't you go back to auto zone to get the codes read and write them down?That would be a great starting point the codes would tell us what system/circuit is failing when it happens since the light comes on when it acts up. Otherwise one could only guess whats failing and a lot more checking when its failing with a possible on hr window to do it all. So do you loose spark when I won't start?You can get a basic code reader for 20 and on that reads some live engine data for about 54 on amazon.
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PNORMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Well the car is in the shop and I can't get it back before Wednesday
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Alright well then can read the codes keep me posted.
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PNORMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Ok when I get it back if it's not fixed then the next time it acts up I will have them read angain and keep the print out,

Thanks and Have a Merry X Mas
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVIDMORGAN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
  • 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 124 MILES
I have a 1998 cheverolet Cavalier automatic 2.2l engine with a random dying problem. Its been an ongoing issue for a long time with multiple attempts to fix and strange symptoms but to try to sum it up the car runs perfect parked never dies (seems to hit rev limiter early when revving really cant tell without tach) but for some reaon when I take it out it runs great for about 10 minutes (sometimes more sometimes less) and dies generally when coming to a stop or when about to go from a stop sign, it then will not start for atleast 10 minutes after which it randomly starts working and runs again for a short ammount of time. I was able to take it to the coast once (over an hour away) without issues so im thinking either stop and go driving is making something hot or there may be an idle issue but I have replaced fuel filter, spark plugs, wires, coils, ignition control module (junk yard part but have tried 2 still possibility), water pump (unrelated issue) and possibly more that I cant remember

What could possibly be causing this issue? Could it be the fuel pump? When I first bought the car it leaked when the tank was full I eventually dropped the tank and fixed the rubber ring around the tank that was not attached properly, The pump sounds loud but I really wouldnt know how loud its supposed to be. Noone will drive the car so its really hard to figure out whats wrong when it dies because noone wants to be in it when it happens. Please help me this car has minimal miles and I have dumped alot of money into it and need it to be running.
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
And have a computer scan for codes yet?
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Did they check the harness for the crank sensor? I have seen this many times with chafing of the harness causing nightmares of issue.

Roy
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Is the Malfunction Indicator Light showing? Have you checked for trouble codes?
When it could not be started, you need to check what is missing then. Fuel pressure, ignition sparks or others.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Check out the above.
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Your welcome keep me posted you have a great Xmas too!Also asemaster great suggestion.
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVIDMORGAN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
No check engine light although it has popped the camshaft and crankshaft position sensor, I replaced both never had another issue with the camshaft sensor but I did eventually have an issue with the crankshaft position sensor. I took the car to a mechanic for a free diagnosis of the dying problem (no check engine light at the time). He couldnt get the car to die in his shop it kept dying down the street hed pull it back with his truck then by the time he went to test it it would start back up. He finally ended up replacing the crankshaft position sensor (without asking whether I had did it already) and then when I come to get my car (not very happy that hed done something id already done without asking and said if it works I owe him money). I pull out of his driveway the car dies and the check engine light comes on. We did this 2 times with new sensors him claiming it was fine and me not even getting a block away before bringing it back. Finally he puts my original (new) sensor back in the car and says he cant help me and I again leave and the car tries to die check engine light comes on and we barely make it home chugging. I have no idea how I managed to fix this problem but eventually after messing with wires and removing and re putting the sensor back in a couple times the check engine light went away and the problem stopped. I still have the dying issue but no check engine light and now not sure if thats also the issue. I havent been able to test it when it dies as ive only been in the car a couple times but I am pretty sure I have heard the fuel pump running still. It never dies in a place I can test anything and now I cant get anyone to drive it long enough to figure it out. Was really just hoping there would be a more definite idea to what could cause something to randomly die and not run for like 10 minutes (till it cools off maybe?) Then start again fine.
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Saturday, October 10th, 2020 AT 11:26 AM (Merged)

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