Shuts off while driving?

LMH102

MEMBER
1994 CHEVROLET CAPRICE
5.7L
V8
AUTOMATIC
200,000 MILES

My car cuts off (check gauge and low oil level lights come on). It usually happens within the first 10/15 minutes of driving. If I can get it off the road - and let it sit 10/15 minutes, sometimes it will crank. It will smell flooded/like gas when I try and start it. It tries to start but it won't turn over or it starts and cuts back off immediately. If I had made more than 2 trips that day. It may not crank up for hours which usually means a tow. My oil level is perfect. I have replaced the fuel pump and the oil level sensor. I have been told that maybe a distributor cap or spark plugs or ignition coil. I am confused and broke, please help.

Friday, September 29th, 2023 AT 2:38 PM

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,055 POSTS

Hi,

What you described sounds like it may be related to the ignition coil or the coil module. Since you smell fuel, that leads me to believe you lost the ignition spark to the spark plugs. That is what I need you to check the next time it happens and won't restart. Here is a link that explains how it's done. Also, I attached a pic below of the two components I'm referring to.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-for-ignition-spark

Also, this vehicle has an OBD1 system. It doesn't require a scanner to retrieve diagnostic trouble codes. All you need is a short jumper wire or even a paper clip. I recommend checking to see if any diagnostic trouble codes are stored.

Here is a link that explains how to retrieve codes on this vehicle:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/buick-cadillac-chevy-gmc-oldsmobile-pontiac-gm-1983-1995-obd1-code-definitions-and-retrieval-method

Try one or the other and let me know the results.

take care,

Joe

See pic below.

Image (Click to make bigger)