Car shuts off while driving

Tiny
LOVE CRYSTAL
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 BUICK REGAL
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 90,000 MILES
When I drive my car and it will shut off, but it starts up just fine, but then it keeps shutting off.
Monday, May 7th, 2018 AT 4:45 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
Can you describe in more detail what it's doing? Like when does it shut off? Does it only do it after the car is warmed up? Does it only do it when idling, or when you have got your foot on the gas?

Just spit-balling, it sounds like it might be starving for fuel. Essentially, it is not getting enough gas for one reason or another. I would suspect a clogged fuel filter or a failing fuel pump. Replacing the filter is cheap and easy enough.

---Replacing the filter---
The fuel system is under pressure, so you'll need to relieve the fuel pressure first.
(1) Find the fuse box in the first image below and use the second image to find and unhook the fuel pump fuse.
(2) Crank the engine. It should start and die. Then turn the key for 5 seconds.
(3) Now jack up the drivers side of the car, near the rear tire.
(4) Get under there and locate the fuel filter. See the third image.
(5) Undo the fitting using a pair of needle nose pliers to push the tabs in and pull that part of the fuel line away from the filter.
(6) Use a wrench (maybe a 14mm or 9/16) to undo the fuel line on the other side of the filter.
(7) Now slide the filter out.
(8) Installation is the exact reverse of this process.

--- Tip, being that you could get some fuel on yourself, wear clothes that you don't care about.

--- Also, here is out official general guide: https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-change-a-fuel-filter

If you do not feel comfortable doing this, just about any slightly mechanically inclined family member should be able to handle it. Either way, let us know the answers to my earlier questions and if you replace the filter, let us know about that as well.
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Monday, May 7th, 2018 AT 7:43 PM

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