Engine shuts off after driving one to two hours

2003 BUICK CENTURY

31,504 MILES • 3.1L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC

LYNN HARPER

MEMBER
2 POSTS
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I can drive for 1 to 2 hours, then the car will shut off the gauges start fluctuating. the fuel pump relay starts clicking. After a few minutes the car will start and maybe run for thirty minutes. or it might shut off instantly. I have changed the battery and alternator. There are no codes.

Mar 8, 2020 at 3:21 PM

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JACOBANDNICKOLAS

AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
110,190 POSTS

Hi,

Have you checked to make sure the battery terminals are clean and tight? Also, check to make sure grounds to the engine block and body are clean and tight. What you described does sound like a connection issue.

I do have another question. When you say the gauges start fluctuating, is it a result of the engine failing or does it seem more like an electrical issue? I ask because it isn't uncommon for a crankshaft position sensor, when going bad, to fail when they get hot. After a cool down period, they work again.

Take a look through these two links. One describes what the sensor does and the second describes symptoms. Let me know if your vehicle mirrors what is being described.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-crank-shaft-angle-sensor-works

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-crankshaft-sensor

Let me know.
Joe

Mar 8, 2020 at 5:40 PM