Engine shuts off while driving or idling

Tiny
BRADY PAAKA
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 HYUNDAI TERRACAN
  • 3.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
Car keeps cutting out while driving and sometimes when stopped at a red light just idling. Takes several attempts to get going again, when I try start it the tachometer starts bouncing up and down. Eventually it gets going again but problem happens every day.
Thursday, February 27th, 2020 AT 4:47 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,310 POSTS
Hi,

Does this only happen when the engine is warmed up to operating temperature? I ask because it may be a bad crankshaft position sensor. I say that because you indicated the tachometer jumps. If the sensor is going bad, it will affect the tachometer.

Take a look through this link and let me know if it seems to mirror what you experience with the stalling.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-crankshaft-sensor

Let me know
Joe
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Thursday, February 27th, 2020 AT 5:29 PM
Tiny
AL514
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,125 POSTS
Hello thanks for using 2CarPros, has the check engine light come on at all? There will probably be a diagnostic code stored in the engine computer. Due to the erratic rpm signal, this points to a possible problem with the crank shaft or cam shaft position sensors. Or a wiring issue where the wiring harness may be rubbing through touching metal, shorting out the sensor. The trick is finding out which signal is having an issue. when these sensors get hot they can fail as well.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-crankshaft-sensor

This article will help you understand it's function. If the check engine light has ever been on, you can have your local parts store scan the computer for diagnostic trouble codes. Hope this helps some.
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Thursday, February 27th, 2020 AT 5:30 PM
Tiny
BRADY PAAKA
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hi. Yes it does do this once it gets up to operating temperature. Then after finally getting it to start again and revs return back to normal I can drive as usual but then after sitting for some hours I go to drive again and the problem re occurs.
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Thursday, February 27th, 2020 AT 5:40 PM
Tiny
BRADY PAAKA
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
And yes engine light does come on when stalled.
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Thursday, February 27th, 2020 AT 5:43 PM
Tiny
AL514
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,125 POSTS
Okay, the computer will need to be scanned for codes, this will give you direction in finding the problem. Your local parts store will scan it for free. Hope this helps some. Sorry for your frustration.
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Thursday, February 27th, 2020 AT 5:46 PM

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