I was driving and my car just gave out

ELVIA HERNANDEZ

MEMBER
2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
175,000 MILES

Hello. I was driving and my car just gave out. I didn't not have any check engine lights on or anything prior to it dying. After it shut off the check engine light comes on and indicated that the knock sensor is bad. The knock sensor gets replaced and the car still didn't start. The car would crank but didn't want to start. I took it to a mechanic shop and at first they said it might be the fuel pump. Now all of a sudden without anyone doing anything to the car, the car wants to start. The mechanic thinks it's a faulty relay or a computer issue but still can figure out what's wrong with it. Is it possible that after replacing the knock sensor the car didn't read it right away and it took some time for the car to reset itself or what can be the issue?

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Hi Elvia,

The knock sensor doesn't operate that way and will not prevent the engine from starting. Sounds like it is a fuel pressure issue. The fuel pumps on these vehicles can fail and after sitting they will work for a short time. The shop needs to check the fuel pressure when the engine is not starting. If it is operating right now, they may not find anything.

I would not recommend them putting any parts on it until it starts acting up again. The reason is, anytime I hear a mechanic say it could be a relay or computer they are normally just guessing and that can get expensive.

Worst case, have them provide you all the reasons they are recommending parts to be replaced and then feel free to run that by me and I will let you know if it sounds logical.

Let me know if you need more information and we can go from there. Thanks

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-cranks-excessively-before-starting