Engine Keeps Cutting Off, pissed off & broke Options

[Jen]

I've had a problem with my car for the past month, and nothing we have had done seems to work.

The problem:
- Very low, and rough idle.
- Stalling.
- The engine cuts out no matter if I am stopped at a redlight, or if I am accelerating.

It can be fine one day, but terrible the next. If it cuts off, I can wait a few minutes and it comes back on. If I let it sit for 30+ minutes, it will work for the rest of the day and possibly the next. When it cuts off it's very random, and it forces me to not go to work, or I am late to work. I'm about to lose my job.

Things I have had done:
- I've had the injectors cleaned or something.
- New fuel pump.
- Replaced PVC Valve.
- Replaced IAC Valve.

Things it's not:
- The battery, or connections.
- The alternator, or connections.

Now they're telling me the distributer. Any other ideas? Discuss.

I totally put this in the wrong section, could one of the mods please move it?

This post has been edited by Jen: Apr 28, 2007 - 4:31 PM

[Jen]

Another theory:
Something is in the gas tank.

[mikeismad0408]

something could be in the gas tank...sorry im illiterate some days

This post has been edited by mikeismad0408: Apr 28, 2007 - 5:10 PM

[Jen]

something could be in the gas tank, it sounds like maybe your fuel pump is having issues. you may try replacing that.

Things I have had done:
- I've had the injectors cleaned or something.
- New fuel pump.
- Replaced PVC Valve.
- Replaced IAC Valve.

[Jen]

BUMP. Please help.

[playr158]

hrm small things i might replace would be things like
plugs, rotor & cap, too bad you have a GT or i'd send u a distributor

[Jen]

hrm small things i might replace would be things like
plugs, rotor & cap, too bad you have a GT or i'd send u a distributor

All of the was changed not too long ago.

[Bitter]

sounds like one of the most dreaded problems ever...an intermittent short or overheating component. is there any commonality to when the problem occurs?

[Hanyo]

does your car idle real bad? Like the steering wheel shakes and the entire car vibrates?


I dont think its something wrong with your engine. I suspect it to be something wrong with your automatic transmission.

when was the last time your transmission fluid was change and the filter was replaced?

[Jen]

sounds like one of the most dreaded problems ever...an intermittent short or overheating component. is there any commonality to when the problem occurs?

Nope, it's always very random.

does your car idle real bad? Like the steering wheel shakes and the entire car vibrates?

I dont think its something wrong with your engine. I suspect it to be something wrong with your automatic transmission.

when was the last time your transmission fluid was change and the filter was replaced?

I really have no idea. I'll check on that.

[Remy]

I know you have a new fuel pump but what about the fuel filter ?? I know you get bad idle and stalls out if you have a bad one.....

[Jen]

I know you have a new fuel pump but what about the fuel filter ?? I know you get bad idle and stalls out if you have a bad one.....

Yup.

[stephen_lee]

check all of your vacuum hoses. ESPECIALLY the hose && electrical connector on your vacuum sensor. if you want, i could get you a pic of it tomorrow. i know when i unplugged mine, my car would do something similar to what yours is doing.

[My2Celi]

I'm thinking like what he said. Could be your vacuum hose. This happen to me before when I let a shop work on my car a couple of years back. They redo some of my vacuum hose due to needing to remove the air box. Take a pix of your engine bay if possible.

[lagos]

vac leak. start the engine a look for loose or cracked hoses. you should head a hissing from where the problem is.

[Jen]

If it was a vac leak, wouldn't the mechanic know it? I've taken it up there 5 times...

[lagos]

sadly, most mechanics arent too smart when it comes to simple stuff like that. pop your hood and take a look around.

[bindertch]

Are you getting any check engine codes? My sources tell me to check the EGR to make sure it isn't stuck open. Also if it is a loose connection you could try to wiggle the wiring harness around the components while the engine is running. The main sensors that I would check would be your crank position and cam position ( cam position is inside the distrubutor requiring the full replacement). A way to free up a stuck egr valve is to lightly tap on it and see if it clears up the rough running condition. If the egr is stuck open it will cause almost all of your symtoms.

This post has been edited by bindertch: Apr 29, 2007 - 7:00 PM

[Hanyo]

this is a strange problem because: 1) the engine stalls under acceleration, 2) engine stalls when it is warm. 3) engine will not work right after stalling, but giving it time will let the engine work again.

So it can also be: these two problems. Since i don't own a GT. i dont know if the 5sfe has these sensor/ switches:

The Auto Shutdown Relay (ASD) - actually, this rarely breaks, but when it does, the engine stays off. One purpose of the auto shutdown relay is to avoid "dieselling." It kills all fuel delivery and spark. The ASD can be triggered by a broken wire or short in another place -e.g. the fuel pump.


The MAP sensor - another relatively frequent cause of stalling. This measures the air pressure in the manifold. It is usually mounted on a fender, costs around $25, and is very easy to replace. You can test it - if your car won't start, just unplug the electrical connection from the MAP sensor.

[bindertch]

The MAP sensor will make it run rough but it would stumble bad anything above idle but it would idle.