Car randomly shuts off without warning

Tiny
HBROWN627
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 CHRYSLER 300
  • 2.7L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 163,000 MILES
I have had my car for three months and for the past month and a half it has been randomly shutting off on me without warning with no warning lights. It seems to only happen after I go over 30 mph. I have had it out on two different computers and the only code that comes up is for a bad skim key. Car starts and runs fine normally, but there is those times I will be driving in heavy traffic and it just shuts off. I pull over put in park turn the key off wait about a minute, try to start and it just cranks until I push the gas then it starts. It will do this between three and five times, then it runs fine and I can make it home. I have had new plugs put in, and had the throttle body cleaned. I do not want to throw money I do not really have at it when no one can tell me what exactly is wrong with it. This is my daily driver that I drive my kids around in. Someone please help.
Tuesday, October 23rd, 2018 AT 8:57 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,138 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like a bad fuel pump. When the engine stalls can you still hear the fuel pump in the tank working? When the engine wont run turn the key to the on position without cranking the engine over to see if you can hear the pump. The skim codes is a security issue can you try your spare key? Does the security light flash?

This guide can help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please run down this guide and report back

Cheers, Ken

Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 AT 12:59 PM
Tiny
HBROWN627
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Hello Ken. I can hear the fuel pump kick in when the key is turned to the on position. It always starts and idles fine, but once I start driving it will randomly die. Its done it 2 mins after I started to drive, and its done it after 20 mins. Its just very random. Once it dies I have to put it in park, turn the key off wait a min then it starts right back up. Sometimes it will immediately die again 2 or 3 times, and sometimes it starts back up and runs fine. I don't have a spare key, I believe the loan company has it. I did notice a couple times that while I was driving the security light was flashing, so I pulled over shut the car off, restarted it and the light was off. I just had the throttle body cleaned and that didn't help either
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 AT 1:42 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,138 POSTS
This sounds like a classic crankshaft angle sensor which will not leave a code or trigger a check engine light.

Here is a guide that will walk you thought he steps and the location below.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/crankshaft-angle-sensor-replacement

We should run the codes too though.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 25th, 2018 AT 4:56 PM
Tiny
HBROWN627
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Another thing I just noticed is it doesn't die on me at all if I stay under 30 mph. Once I go over 30 is when it starts giving me issues and dies on me. This sounds odd but my steering wheel feels tight before it starts acting weird, there's no play in the steering wheel and it doesn't return on its own after a turn. Don't know if any of this has anything to do with the issue at hand, but thought I would mention it. That is again for all your help
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, October 26th, 2018 AT 9:53 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,138 POSTS
Hmm, that is a good one lets run the codes to see what come up please report back. You can get a code reader from Amazon for about $25.00.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Friday, October 26th, 2018 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
HBROWN627
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
There are no codes coming up and the only stored code it pulls is for a bad skim key P0513. To my understanding if it was something to do with the anti theft system or key my car would shut down immediately after putting it into gear. I can be driving for 10/15 minutes before it ever dies on me. I don't have a lot of extra money to put into the car, especially since no one can give me a definitive answer on what exactly is wrong. I'm at a loss here and don't know what to do
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, October 27th, 2018 AT 11:41 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,138 POSTS
Yep you would think if it was a security issue it would not let you drive the car. When the engine stall does the security light flash? Fuel pump still running?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, October 28th, 2018 AT 10:30 AM
Tiny
HBROWN627
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
No dash warning lights come on at all when it dies, and when I restart the car I can hear the fuel pump kick in
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, October 28th, 2018 AT 10:48 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,138 POSTS
This is sounding more like a crankshaft angle sensor when they go out they dont leave a code. I would try that first.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, October 28th, 2018 AT 11:10 AM
Tiny
HBROWN627
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Okay. Thank you so much, I really appreciate all your help. I was thinking the egr valve, but this makes a little more sense. If I change that sensor and it still does it I'll let you know. Thank you again
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Sunday, October 28th, 2018 AT 11:13 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,138 POSTS
Please do. Use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help. Please tell a friend.

Cheers, Ken
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, October 29th, 2018 AT 9:22 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