Shuts off while driving?

265,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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MALLORYSGRANDPA
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  • 1 POST
Occasionally the entire vehicle shuts off while driving. The instrument panel, radio, fan all shut off. Without stopping I shift to neutral, and it restarts like nothing happened.
Sep 8, 2022 at 11:56 AM
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STRAILER
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  • 55,491 POSTS
This sounds like a classic ignition switch bad connection which is common on older cars. here is how you can change the switch out in the images below. Check out the images (below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
Sep 9, 2022 at 5:35 AM
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LILODY
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replaced the ignition switch and its cable to the fuze box on the left panel under the dash. It is held on the back of the lock cylinder casting with two screws. It still shuts down, with everything going dark, dash fan, ac, radio. I am able to start when it shows the key icon on the left bottom dash. but will cut out again. It seems to be a key security sensor combined with the car sensor that senses the sensor in the key. Maybe the key sensor is weak or the car sensing unit is weak? OR I could just replace the switch again, just like I did above. Maybe Autozone has bad switches?
Sep 18, 2026 at 5:26 PM
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STRAILER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 55,491 POSTS
This can be a bad battery, can I ask how old it is, also how are the battery cables??
Sep 19, 2026 at 8:42 AM
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