6G Celicas Forums

Hi, I dunno what could cause a car to just shut itself off while driving ?? Happened to me twice now so I know thiers something wrong the first time it happend thank god their was no car around the second time will lets just say the person behind me was paying attention or else I would be making a "totaled celica" thread.

When it turns off it feels like someone switched the key to off/on and you see all the brake,oil light, and check engine lights. The second time it made a popping noise before it shut-off the first time it felt like the car just stalled while going 40mph.

I'm not sure whats causing this but I know I just replaced the distributor with a new one checked my plugs and wire haven't had time to check anything else but was hoping someone had this problem before and can help me diagnose this fast. Thanks.

I was thinking ignition switch but want to hear what you guys have to say too.

The codes it threw were 1-2 and 1-3 so I think I have a bad ECU....

This post has been edited by Remy: May 15, 2009 - 5:18 PM

i had the same problem , car would cut off randomly pulling up to stop lights. then it got to where it wouldnt start randomly some mornings, just progressively worse over time. idle was fairly low also, new ecu fixed it. good luck

does it fire back up immediately or crank sputter then catch and run?

I hope the new/used ecu would do the trick Thanks.


It won't start right back up it kinda crank sputters then starts when it does.

I had this happened to me, once or twice. Check your terminals and make sure they are tight.

check the ecu connectors.
if you cant find the problem, i would try and locate another member around you and try theyre ecu to see if that is the problem.

happened to my mother-in-law 3 times until we realized it was the ecu ground... check it, just for fun.

same thing with me. i'm going crazy!! if you find the problem and it is really the ECU let me know man.

Yup, check all the connectors..

The terminals on the batt is good with a new batt too check my plugs and wires last week they were normal just put in a new distributor this week too and this happened Been busy with work I'll have to tear into the car to get a better look at the Ecu and the connectors I'll keep you guys posted. Thanks Everyone.

when it happened to me it was the efi fuse - thats after replacing distributor/ignitor/checking fuel pump/ ecu everything try that

sounds like possibly a fuel pump going bad then, next time it dies cycle the key a few times and start it. if then it fires up immediately then i'd bank on fuel pump problem, hook up a fuel pressure tester and try to get it to die in the driveway to confirm....or just throw a pump at it and cross your fingers.

make sure your ignigter is plugged in properly. If it came loose in any way it would cause this.

I checked that fuse and all the other they're all working fine. Thanks for input.


I jumped terminals B+ and FP I'm getting fuel pumped through the hoses so my Fuel pump is working.


I also checked the ignitor and connections they're on nice and snug.


Well now the car won't even start it'll turn over but won't start and the only codes I'm getting is 1-2 ECU not getting signal, so the last thing on the list is the ECU. I'm currently taking the ECU out for testing but though I'd give you guys an update. Oh and I also bought some NGK laser plugs since one of the heads of my old plugs (Denso) was spinning put still no start so that wasn't the problem. Thanks for the advice/inputs so far everyone.

This post has been edited by Remy: May 15, 2009 - 11:33 AM

Sell the car to me? HAha jk.

If you want to try my ECU in your car, let me know. I can pull it out and have it in your car in 5 mins flat.
I also have a spare 5s fuel pump if that is the culprit.

Spent to much on this car to call it quits now.


I though u had a auto ??


Well found out what the problem was it wasn't the ECU. I decided for ****z and giggles to swap in my old dizzy to see what would happen and guess what the car fired right up so the new dizzy I have must be defective not sending any signals to the ECU I'll have to return it thanks everyone.

This post has been edited by Remy: May 15, 2009 - 5:19 PM

wtf really?? damn. what's the proper steps to take out the dizzy?? i didnt do mines yet. maybe i should.

This post has been edited by 808celica: May 16, 2009 - 5:11 AM

The proper way is to use a timing light but not necessary, its held on by 2 bolts one on the side and one on the bottom just mark where they're held at and take it out and swap it with the new one make sure the bolts go back in the same place (unless your using a timing light) same with the new dizzy it'll go in one way only line up the slotted end with the slotted opening inside the cylinder head since you have a 94-95 5sfe you can retard or advance the timing if you adjust it wrong so pretty much make sure it goes back in the same way.

No need for a timing gun. Or marking the position of the dizzy. Pop it in and the thing only goes in one way, because the head for the dizzy is offset. Unlike the honda dizzys.