Died while driving?

165,000 MILES • 3.4L • AUTOMATIC
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RANDOLPH SNODDY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
At 30 mph or any speed the engine shuts off losing power steering and power brakes and won't start for 15 to 20 minutes but repeats the same problem at any given time
Nov 9, 2026 at 10:55 AM
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STEVE W.
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 15,411 POSTS
The description sounds a lot like something is overheating and shutting it off. Then it cools down and will run again. Have seen that in crank position sensors and PCMs. The easiest way to test the parts is to use freeze spray. You would go to say the crank sensor as soon as it shuts down, give it a spray, let it set a few seconds and give it another one and see if it starts back up like nothing is wrong. You can buy dedicated freeze spray or you can do what most shops do, buy cheap "canned air" and hold the can upside down and spray out the refrigerant. BE VERY CAREFUL. The stuff coming out can cause instant frostbite and if you get it into eyes or nose you really won't like the results. However it is about the only way to tell if the issue is caused by heat.
Your car has two different sensors the common one to fail is hidden behind the balancer on the front of the engine. You can spray it from the side and see if it fixes the issue if it does you need to pull the balancer to replace it. Then you do the CKP relearn so the PCM knows the new sensors characteristics.
Nov 10, 2026 at 1:05 AM
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