Firstly, had problems a week ago. Needed a new distributor. Get the car back, and everything's okay for 2 days. Then while driving, the engine cuts out, and won't start back up (coughs, that's it) Took it back to mechanic. Next morning he starts it fine, checks things out and says it's fine. So I get the car back, and the next day, the thing cuts out on me again, while driving.
Got a boost, and it started up right away. Drove home and I'm not going to risk driving it again.
I must add that the engine light came on when this happened. Not the battery light, as you would assume.
What do you think the cause of this problem could be?
Any help or advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!
2006-09-19 11:28:51 · 16 answers · asked by Nikki 6 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
My car is a 1993 Mazda 626 Cronos 2.0L 4cyl
2006-09-19 12:16:10 · update #1
Sounds like it could be a fuse shorting out. All this means is you would have to find someone who can tell you what fuse it is then have it replaced.
2006-09-19 11:32:33 · answer #1 · answered by i2ichard_i2ahl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your not providing enough information, it would be impossible to know what is possibly wrong unless you give the type of vehicle. Different vehicles have different inherent flaws, such as older Honda vehicles. There distributors go bad quite often, whereas Chevrolet vehicles don't. The other problem is, you stated that you "got a boost" . Are you running the battery down trying to start it or is it not turning over after it stalls? Also the check engine light always comes on when the car stalls then all the other lights will come on. Please provide more information and I will try and assist you in fixing your car.
2006-09-19 18:38:20 · answer #2 · answered by diamond_dantheman 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots of things can do this. If you have a voltmeter, you can check the alternator easily enough. Just crank it up and measure the voltage at the battery with the engine running; it should be 14 point something. If it's in the 12V range, you've got a dead alternator.
But I suspect that's not the problem. Your best bet would be to see if one of the auto places that loans out tools will let you borrow a scan tool. This will connect to the computer and provide you with more information. My own guess would be an ignition module having trouble with overheating.
2006-09-19 20:47:57 · answer #3 · answered by Mad Scientist Matt 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to Advanced auto parts and get them to check your battery and charging system.It's free. They should be able to tell you if it's the battery or the alternator. If they all check out fine. Get them to put an OBD2 scanner on it...Also free to check engine codes. Did they replace the entire distributor or just the cap and rotor? If it was the whole distribute they may have disconnected the battery and left a wire loose or off. Loose meaning it may make contact sometimes and when you hit a bump might disconnect it. Look for any loose connections on the battery by physically trying to make them move by hand. Then check the plug at you distributor. and any plug near it they might have gotten knocked loose. good luck
2006-09-24 20:41:44 · answer #4 · answered by whtsthislif4 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well if the problem is electrical, it could be a multitude of things. The most simple would be your alternator. It could be going out. If this is the case, then your car will not run properly because your battery is constantly losing its charge. Try taking it to Kragen or Checker Auto Parts, they'll test it out for free. They will also test your battery. If you take it to a mechanic, he will charge you for a diagnostic. If it's not the alternator, then it could be a whole lot of other things. Depending on how old your car is, it could be time for a new one. Electrical problems are a pain and once they start up, they usually will plague your car until you get rid of it.
2006-09-19 18:39:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
really need more info, if you let the car set for a wile then it starts up it could be the pickup plate it has a small wire in it when it gets hot it pulls apart after it sets awhile it goes back to gather, when it pulls apart it will shut every thing on the engine down even the fuel pump, as far as jumping it it may have sit long en of to let it cool down, thus letting the wire go back together,even GM has this problem trying to pull up a code from the computer will not tell you that the pickup is bad, because ever thing goes dead at the same time even the computer
2006-09-27 06:52:10 · answer #6 · answered by The Raotor 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would check your fuel pressure when this happens. Two things might be happening. The first is the fuel pump might quit working and then start up again later. Or there might be something in the fuel system clogging a filter or pickup or something. Once the car sits for a while this might settle back down. Could be a loose electrical connection somewhere or something overheating and shutting the engine off.
2006-09-19 18:59:28 · answer #7 · answered by Nc Jay 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like it might be the alternator to me. The part of the car that charges the battery while you drive. You might also have the battery checked. It might be getting old.
2006-09-19 18:33:53 · answer #8 · answered by stick man 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that is your check engine light. its telling you there is a part on your engine that is going bad.you have a bad ignition module, it heats up and it acts like a breaker it cuts off on you. apparently you bought a distributor you didnt need and a ignition module that you did. my advice is for you to take it to a service center of your car make. their work is a little more expensive but so is process of elimination it gets really expensive if you know what i mean. besides their work is guaranteed also.
2006-09-26 07:29:05 · answer #9 · answered by duc602 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the machanic should beable to tell what code came up when the light came on, sounds like its the ecm , gets warm and cuts out , cools off and the car starts
2006-09-26 08:11:57 · answer #10 · answered by Woody963 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋