Shuts off while driving?

Tiny
JPEARSON73
  • MEMBER
  • 2014 CHEVROLET CRUZE
  • 1.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
Car was jumping occasionally, replaced spark plugs. Drove the car about 20 miles and it went dead. While trying to crank it back there was a loud clicking noise that would continue if you left the key turned to acc. Used a jump box and car cranked, drove about 2 miles made it fine. Cranked car this morning drove about 5 miles and car shut off, jumped off with jumper cables and cranked back. Made it about 2-3 miles and car shut off again. Cannot get it to crank back. It tries with the jumper cables on but will not crank.
Monday, July 1st, 2024 AT 3:25 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,536 POSTS
Can I ask if when the engine was running did you have a battery warning light on? The reason I ask is it sounds like the battery is dead either because it needs to be replaced or the alternator is not charging. If the battery is more than 4 years old, I would get it checked at the auto parts store.

Once the battery is charged or replaced let's go over this guide to see if the alternator is charging:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

Please go over this guide and get back to us.

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Monday, July 1st, 2024 AT 10:58 AM
Tiny
JPEARSON73
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  • 8 POSTS
No battery light, messed with some of the wires while trying to figure out what was wrong, and it tried to crank on its on! Traced it back to a ground wire that screws into the side of the motor. Thank you for responding and offering your help.
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Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024 AT 9:07 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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No problem, has the wiring been tampered with? The engine should never crank on its own unless you have something wrong with the wiring, can you please upload an images of the engine wiring?
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Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024 AT 9:59 AM
Tiny
JPEARSON73
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  • 8 POSTS
We bought the car used, had problems with it overheating. They finally put a new motor in, probably not done right when this was done. I can see if I can get any good pics, my husband has already taped everything back up.
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Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024 AT 6:02 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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We should run the codes as well; this guide will show you how:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Also, are the problems still the same since you repaired the ground wire at the engine block? Please go over this guide and get back to us.
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Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024 AT 1:26 PM
Tiny
JPEARSON73
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
It ran for a bit but has gone dead again this morning. Think it has been narrowed down to the junction box area. He is off work the next few days and there is a heat index of 111 today, so will look into it in the next couple days. Thanks for all the advice and suggestions!
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Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024 AT 4:12 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,536 POSTS
Wow thats hot, I have seen the junction box go bad and cause this problem, but it would be good to run a scan as well and check the alternator output. Here is how to replace it which is easy because it self learns. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Friday, July 5th, 2024 AT 9:50 AM
Tiny
JPEARSON73
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Currently waiting on an Ignition Coil Pack Connector to come in, I was incorrect in it isn't the junction box. Will update if this fixes the problem. Car cranks and runs okay, but still shutting off. If you "wiggle" the wires where the clip is it cranks right back up.
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Tuesday, July 9th, 2024 AT 9:06 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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I would replace the coil pack as well, it sound have an internal connection problem. I have heard of the coil packs having issues as well. Check out the images (below). Let us know what you find.
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Tuesday, July 9th, 2024 AT 9:59 AM

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