While driving all the sensors turned on and my car shut off?

ROBIN SHULTZ

MEMBER
2007 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER
2.4L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
111,790 MILES

I was driving down the highway when all the sensors came on and my car shut off on me. The hazard lights wouldn't even come on, so I fiddled around with the ground cable attached to the battery and finally I was able to start my car. So, I drove it a couple hundred feet thinking it was all right, but then the car revs really high and just turns off. The hazard lights were able to come on, but I didn't want to risk driving it any further, so I got it towed. I think it is a ground cable issue, but I feel like something else is going on with the vehicle if it revs high like it did and just shuts off.

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi,

If you were able to move the negative terminal and it was loose, that is the likely cause. It certainly sounds like it.

Was the terminal corroded or loose? As far as the revving engine, when there is a voltage issue, the sensors and modules can go haywire. I suspect that is what happened.

If the terminal is loose or corroded, try tightening and cleaning it to see if that takes care of the issue. Here is a link you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

The link title doesn't mirror your issue, but the procedure is what I would like to try.

Let me know if that takes care of the issue. If, however, you see the cable is in poor condition, then replace the entire cable.

Take care,

Joe