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Car dies while driving but restarts most of the time

Tiny
SKSILVER
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 CHRYSLER SEBRING
  • 2.4L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 21,000 MILES
Intermittently while driving my car would die (rpm's would go from 30 to 0) instantly and then right back up. It was about once every few months but now it is doing it often but it actually completely dies while driving 4o or more mph and is taking longer to restart. Would it be the fuel filter or fuel pump or would it be the ECM or crankshaft sensor? The engine light is not on and when you try to put a code scanner on it, it's kicks the scanner off so we can't get any codes. I don't know if it's an electrical problem or an engine problem.
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Monday, April 13th, 2015 AT 12:26 AM

15 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,320 POSTS
Most likely it has to do with the fuel pump. Have you checked pump pressure? Does it seem to happen more so when the vehicle is under a load?
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Monday, April 13th, 2015 AT 5:20 AM
Tiny
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  • 63 POSTS
How do I check the pump pressure?
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Monday, April 13th, 2015 AT 10:14 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,320 POSTS
We made a video for it. Take a look at our fuel pump pressure and regulator test video (link below).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peh7-pFycyc
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Monday, April 13th, 2015 AT 6:06 PM
Tiny
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  • 63 POSTS
Thank you, I will try to find someone that can check that for me. I appreciate your advice very much. Have a good day.
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2015 AT 1:26 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,320 POSTS
Glad to help. Let me know what you find.
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2015 AT 7:14 PM
Tiny
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  • 63 POSTS
Okay, will do
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2015 AT 11:12 PM
Tiny
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  • 63 POSTS
Do you have the correct video to replace the fuel filter? My dad wants me to start with that first because it is in the cheapest part.I looked but I can't seem to find it. Thank you
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Wednesday, April 15th, 2015 AT 1:29 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,320 POSTS
The fuel filter is located on the top of the fuel tank in the fuel pump module. It isn't a 2 minute job. The tank will need removed.
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Wednesday, April 15th, 2015 AT 5:59 PM
Tiny
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  • MEMBER
  • 63 POSTS
Thanks, we found it and replaced it, but it didn't help.
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Wednesday, April 15th, 2015 AT 9:07 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,320 POSTS
Is the pump running? Have you checked to see if there is pressure to the fuel rail? Rather than just replacing parts and hoping that you hit the right one, it would be wise to check pressure first. There may be no problem with pressure. It can get expensive and time consuming if you don't follow a basic diagnosis process.
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Thursday, April 16th, 2015 AT 6:54 AM
Tiny
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  • 63 POSTS
Thank you, I will make sure that he tries that if he hasn't. Get back to ya tomorrow. Thanks again for your help, it is much appreciated.
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Thursday, April 16th, 2015 AT 9:04 AM
Tiny
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  • 63 POSTS
We got it running great (for now), I believe there were 2 wires in the distributor that were loose and another wire somewhere that was bare and causing car to short out and a ground wire that was loose? (Something like that). When I talk to the guy that fixed it again, I will definitely let you know. But it runs great now! Thanks again for all of your advice and tips. Much appreciated. Have a great day.
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Saturday, April 18th, 2015 AT 7:30 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Glad to hear it's fixed. Let us know if you have questions in the future.
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Saturday, April 18th, 2015 AT 8:11 PM
Tiny
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  • 63 POSTS
Well, we thought we had it fixed, but tomorrow we are taking the ECM into O'reilly's so they can test it.
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Sunday, April 19th, 2015 AT 11:41 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Let me know the results.
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Monday, April 20th, 2015 AT 8:40 AM

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