Shuts off while driving

Tiny
CARTROUBLEBLUES
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 BUICK ELECTRA
  • 2.3L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 88,000 MILES
I've had this car for about a month and it hadn't started to give me problems until recently. I would drive to work and as soon as I hit 55 MPH the car would jerk and smooth itself out. I thought nothing of it until on my way back home. The car jerked while I was going 30 MPH and just turned off. All the lights on the dash board came on and I had to direct the car to the nearest mechanic. The thing is, as soon as I park it and turn it back on, it works. Like nothing happened.
At the mechanic they've replaced the crankshaft sensor and I even had them do a fuel system cleaning, but the car still turns off while driving. I've noticed that if I drive it for too long, it starts to shut off. But when I go to the store or any place where I don't go too fast, it drives normal. I've taken back to the mechanic and they don't know what the problem is. They say it could be a bad sensor. But they just font know which one. Not to mention there's no check engine light to warn me.
Friday, May 7th, 2021 AT 6:43 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning,

This was a common issue back in the day. The ignition control module was the common failure for this.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-stalls

Did the shop check the module? You can remove it and take it to a parts store and they can test off the car. It is a free service at the parts store. I would also replace the coil pack as well.

Roy
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Friday, May 7th, 2021 AT 7:24 AM
Tiny
CARTROUBLEBLUES
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Hi. Thank you for the reply and forgive me for not replying back. As of today the mechanic replaced sensors, wire kits, all spark plugs, and even injectors. It still turns off without warning. And they replaced the ignition control module.
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Wednesday, June 9th, 2021 AT 8:41 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
The only thing I do not see is the coils. They should have been part of the module.

Did they replace the coils with the module?

Roy
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Wednesday, June 9th, 2021 AT 9:50 PM
Tiny
CARTROUBLEBLUES
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I don't believe so. I'll be sure to ask since the problem hasn't been fixed. If the coils aren't the problem, could there be anything other cause or reason?
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Thursday, June 10th, 2021 AT 7:17 AM
Tiny
CARTROUBLEBLUES
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
This what they did.
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Thursday, June 10th, 2021 AT 1:55 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Who replaced the ignition module and crank sensor? There is no mention of them performing the repair.

Roy
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Thursday, June 10th, 2021 AT 4:30 PM
Tiny
CARTROUBLEBLUES
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
The crank sensor and ignition control module were replaced at another shop but according to these guys the module wasn't sealed correctly. So they fixed that.
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Thursday, June 10th, 2021 AT 4:35 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
That may have damaged the new module. I would have them test that module to be sure it is not damaged.

Roy
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Friday, June 11th, 2021 AT 3:46 AM

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