Intermittent engine shutting off while driving?

Tiny
MARY506
  • MEMBER
  • 1987 BUICK LESABRE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 195,000 MILES
I have been having this problem and no one can tell me what is wrong with the car. When driving down the road it will stall for no reason. Sometimes we can drive it for over an hour and other times it starts right away. When it starts it stalls quite a bit. No problem starting when it sits but this is very dangerous when on the road.
Sunday, October 9th, 2022 AT 3:10 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

Does this happen when your foot is on the throttle or is it more so when the vehicle is at idle?

Do me a favor. Let's see if there are any diagnostic trouble codes that are stored. This vehicle has an OBD1 system that doesn't require a scan tool to retrieve codes. All you will need is either a short jumper wire or even a paper clip.

Follow the directions in this link:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/buick-cadillac-chevy-gmc-oldsmobile-pontiac-gm-1983-1995-obd1-code-definitions-and-retrieval-method

Based on what is happening, it could be a few things. For example, a weak fuel pump or something specific to the ignition system. I'm hoping that we find something stored as far as codes.

Try that and let me know the results.

Take care,

Joe

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Sunday, October 9th, 2022 AT 6:51 PM
Tiny
MARY506
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
It stalls when I am just going down the road foot on the gas. It does not give me any warning it just stalls out and will start right up when I put it in neutral. I don't know if I can try to find the codes as I am a female and don't know much about cars. A friend put in a new fuel filter and and an oxygen sensor that did not help.
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Monday, October 10th, 2022 AT 12:14 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

You should be able to do this. Some of the best mechanics I know are women. LOL Based on what is happening, I suspect it is either a fuel pressure-related issue or the crankshaft position sensor is failing. If the engine shuts off as if you turned the key off, the crankshaft position sensor is where I would start. If it acts like it is losing power, then I would check the fuel pressure.

Do me a favor. Take a look through this link and let me know if anything mirrors what you experience.

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

Let me know your thoughts.

Take care,

Joe

PS: Don't be afraid to check for codes. It's really easy to do.
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Monday, October 10th, 2022 AT 7:09 PM
Tiny
MARY506
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I read the link, so here is my reply: The car does not lose power no matter what speed you are going, it can be 25 or 45. The engine is not at an idle. I am going down the road foot on the gas so same speed and then it just shuts off just like you turned the key off. Does not misfire or stall at an idle. It happens when the car is cold or hot. Does not happen all the time. I can drive it one day and it will not happen then the next time I drive it this will happen quite a few times. Always starts right up. It has been going on for quite some time and no one can give me a solution. I just can't afford to have anybody start changing parts and it does not solve the problem. Thanks for trying to help.
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Tuesday, October 11th, 2022 AT 12:29 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
I have a feeling it is related to the crankshaft position sensor. Were you able to retrieve diagnostic codes?

Let me know.

Joe
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Tuesday, October 11th, 2022 AT 7:13 PM
Tiny
MARY506
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Somehow, I lost the page that tells me how to look for the codes and what the codes mean, sorry about that.
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Wednesday, October 12th, 2022 AT 12:27 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

Absolutely no problem whatsoever. Here is the link again. Take a look through the directions and let me know if you have questions or if I can help in any way.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/buick-cadillac-chevy-gmc-oldsmobile-pontiac-gm-1983-1995-obd1-code-definitions-and-retrieval-method

Take care and let me know what you find.

Joe
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Wednesday, October 12th, 2022 AT 6:24 PM

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