RPM's Dropped and Car died

Tiny
KRISTEENBRNRD
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 GEO STORM
  • 101,000 MILES
I was driving on the freeway going about 50 MPH and all of a sudden my RPM's went all the way down to 0. Im not sure if my car turned off right away but I know it was slowing all the way down so I pulled over to the shoulder on the freeway and turned my car off. I tried to turn it back on and now it wont start at all! PLEASE can someone help me out in finding whats wrong with it? Thank you so much!
Saturday, December 17th, 2011 AT 7:07 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Loosen the bolts and nuts holding the timing belt cover to the engine. Pull it away from the engine enough to see the belt. Have someone try and start it while you observe the belt. If it isn't moving, it broke and needs to be replaced.

If it is moving, check compression, check for spark, and check fuel pressure.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, December 17th, 2011 AT 7:13 PM
Tiny
KRISTEENBRNRD
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Ok, do you think by any chance that it is probably the Fuel filter or fuel pump?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, December 17th, 2011 AT 7:15 PM
Tiny
KRISTEENBRNRD
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Do you think it could be the fuel pump or fuel filter
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, December 17th, 2011 AT 7:16 PM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
It could be. Check the fuel pressure to be sure.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, December 17th, 2011 AT 9:07 PM
Tiny
KRISTEENBRNRD
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Ok so I checked the fuel pump, fuel filter, I also changed the ignition coil and checked the timing belt and none of these are the problem, Does anyone know what else could be the problem?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, December 18th, 2011 AT 1:03 AM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Did you check the fuel PRESSURE?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, December 18th, 2011 AT 5:15 AM
Tiny
KRISTEENBRNRD
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Yes, so far we have checked the fuel filter, fuel pump, timing belt, and changed the ignition coil the spark plugs the spark plug wires and the distributor and distributor cap and still no spark and not starting.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 20th, 2011 AT 3:47 AM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Check to see if the coil is receiving power. Check the distributor to see if the air gap on the stator is properly set.
You said you checked the fuel pump. Does that mean listening to see if it comes on, or actually hooking up a pressure gauge and making sure it's delivering enough fuel?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 20th, 2011 AT 5:36 AM
Tiny
KRISTEENBRNRD
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
We took the end of the fuel filter off and I cranked the engine and fuel was pouring out. Do you think it could be the ignition module or ignition sensor?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 21st, 2011 AT 12:52 AM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Just because the pump is supplying fuel, doesn't mean it's supplying enough fuel. Check the pressure. You can borrow a gauge from most parts stores like Pep Boys and O'Reilly's.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 21st, 2011 AT 1:12 AM
Tiny
KRISTEENBRNRD
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Ok it is getting pressure but we have no spark from the spark plugs
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 21st, 2011 AT 10:38 PM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Ok. Make sure the coil is receiving power. Check the cam and/or crank sensors, if so equipped. Pop the distributor cap and make sure the rotor spins while the engine is being cranked. Check the airgap on the ignition interrupt module. It may be a hall effect transistor or it may be a stator and rotor.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, December 22nd, 2011 AT 2:23 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Engine Stall While Driving Content

Is it Safe to Drive Check Engine Light?
VIDEO
Is it Safe to Drive Check Engine Light?
Instructional repair video
Engine Stalls While Driving
GUIDE
Engine Stalls While Driving
An engine that stalls while driving and then starts back up again, either immediately or after a short time is different from an engine that just wont start or if the...
VIEW MORE