Engine Will not stay running?

Tiny
RWIGGIN5
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 216,000 MILES
My car will start just fine at the start of the day or sitting for over an hour, but if I drive it for roughly half an hour or more and let it sit for around 30-45 minutes, As soon as it starts it immediately stalls out and the engine dies, it will keep doing this until it has sat for over an hour then will finally start and stay running. It will start fine if it has only sat for about 5 minutes and only does it during the summer when it is hot outside.
My engine also often has very small engine surges when idling or moving very slowly (normal rpm is about 700-800 but will rise to 1,000 RPMs when the surge starts then will go back to normal after a few seconds.) It does it year-round but will not surge when driving.
I have had the air filter and the air-to-fuel ratio sensor replaced and had my fueling and engine system cleaned of debris or contaminants, all recently. I have been told my battery and fuses are fine. I also had my spark plugs replaced a couple years ago.
My car is not a code when operating so I want to know if it sounds like any specific part or damage may be the culprit or any possible things, I could have checked that may provide light to see what exactly is wrong with my car.
Saturday, May 27th, 2023 AT 12:28 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
Hi,

What it may be related to is a failing crankshaft position sensor. When they get hot, they can fail. In this case, turning the engine off for a bit of time allows it to collect heat and not work. Do me a favor. Take a look through this link and let me know if anything mirrors what you are experiencing:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/can-scan-controller-area-network-easy

Let me know.

Joe

Also, let me know if you have a live data scan tool.
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Monday, May 29th, 2023 AT 7:28 PM
Tiny
RWIGGIN5
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The symptoms of a bad crankshaft position sensor almost completely mirror what problems my car has been having, it would also explain why my car will only do it during the summer. And thank you for showing me the CAN scanner article, I'll be sure to get one of those.
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Tuesday, May 30th, 2023 AT 4:26 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
Hi,

It isn't an uncommon issue. As far as replacing it, it's a little tight, but not hard to do. Here is a link that explains in general how it's done.

If you look below, I attached the manufacturer's directions.

Let me know if this takes care of the issue.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.
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Wednesday, May 31st, 2023 AT 7:14 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
Hi,

I realized that I forgot to add the link for replacing the sensor. Ugh! I'm getting old. LOL

Here it is:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/crankshaft-angle-sensor-replacement

I hope that helps. Let me know if you have questions and if that takes care of the problem.

Take care,

Joe
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Thursday, June 1st, 2023 AT 7:43 PM

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