Shuts off while driving

SDH

MEMBER
2001 SUZUKI IGNUS
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
67,000 MILES

Over the last week my vehicle just stops as I am driving along. Two symbols appear a car with a padlock and an oval shaped sign above they both flash on/off consecutively then both come on together where the car just stops. After about 10 minutes the car will start without any problems then it occurs again and I have to repeat the process until I get home. Some days it's absolutely fine. As the car is second hand I didn't get a handbook so I don't know what the symbols mean. Hope you can help

1 Reply

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

Hello,

It sounds like this issue might be due to a faulty crankshaft position sensor.
The crank position sensor is located on the lower part of the engine next to the crank pulley.
It picks up the rotations of the crank shaft and sends that information to the ECM.
With all the heat and vibration from the engine the sensor can go bad over time. This will cause the sensor to send incorrect data to the ECM, the result is a stalled engine.

Here are few helpful articles:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-crank-shaft-angle-sensor-works
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-crankshaft-sensor
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/crankshaft-angle-sensor-replacement

When a crank sensor fails, it can trigger the check engine. If your check engine light is illuminated, then get it scanned for code(s). This can help with the diagnostics.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please let me know of any questions.
Thank you.