Car shut off while driving?

Tiny
LEOVOMENDEZ
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
I was driving my car on the highway going 80 MPH and the car shut off and jerked a couple of times. I assume it was because it was trying to turn itself back on because it eventually did when I was pulling to the shoulder. Nothing happened while stopped at the shoulder. I got off at an exit and at the exit it also turned off. But it turned itself back on after about a second. Pulled into a parking lot and it shut off completely going inside. Tried to turn it on and it was just cranking. Tried like two more times and on the third it turned on. I drove it home for about 20 minutes and it did not shut off. I’ve seen that it could be several issues. Any idea as to where I can get started or things I could check for. Please and thank you. From what I have seen, it may be fuel related. No check engine light. Something that I noted that has never happened was the gas gauge was off. When it first turned off in the highway it read below the full line. Once at the parking lot it marked 3/4. Now that I drove it home it went back to or near the original mark.
Saturday, January 20th, 2024 AT 9:04 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

Based on your description, it does sound like it is fuel related. Is the vehicle presently running? If not, try this:

See if it starts using starting fluid. If it does and then stalls, we know it is a fuel-related issue. If there is no change, I need you to check for spark at the plugs.

Here is a link that explains how to do that:

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

The idea that the fuel gauge stopped working leads me to think it is a connector issue at the fuel tank/pump. Let me know as much as you can.

Take care,

joe
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Saturday, January 20th, 2024 AT 9:07 PM
Tiny
LEOVOMENDEZ
  • MEMBER
  • 26 POSTS
I appreciate the response. The car currently runs. And just fine. It turns on normally. No rough idling. No stalling. I drove it for about an hour recently. Waiting for it to shut off again but it was perfectly fine. Highway. City. Up a hill. Accelerating more than normal at times to see if I can get it to do something. But it did not. The fuel gauge did throw me off. It wasn’t going crazy or dropped to nothing though. It went back to normal steadily from the 3/4 mark. In the recent drive it was also fine.
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Saturday, January 20th, 2024 AT 10:17 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

Based on your info, it does sound like a wiring/connector issue. The fuel level float is in the fuel tank along with the fuel pump. The only thing to say at this point is you could inspect the connector and wiring. Actually, it may be a good idea.

To access the top of the fuel pump, there is a service location under the rear seat. If you remove the rear seat, you will see it. Remove the cover and you will see the top of the fuel pump assembly. Don't disconnect anything. Instead, turn the key on so the fuel gauge is working and wiggle the wiring at the connector to see if the gauge changes.

I attached a pic below showing the location.

Let me know.

Joe

See pic below.
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Sunday, January 21st, 2024 AT 12:09 PM
Tiny
LEOVOMENDEZ
  • MEMBER
  • 26 POSTS
Will try that out. Is the fuel gauge connector also wiring for other things? That one connector can cause the issue for the car to shut off while driving?
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Sunday, January 21st, 2024 AT 12:48 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

If you lose connection, yes, the pump will stop, and the car will stall. The one connector should have 4 wires in it. Two are for the fuel level gauge and the other two are for the fuel pump. See pic below.

Let me know.

Joe

See pic below.
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Monday, January 22nd, 2024 AT 12:20 AM

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