Please Help - Engine keeps dying!
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque, NM
Please Help - Engine keeps dying! I have a 1998 Formula with a major problem. The engine dies at various times. It almost always dies on the first drive each morning during the first 6-8 minutes, a couple of minutes after it reaches normal operating temperature. If I'm sitting at a light, I usually have to restart it 3 times. I have a manual transmission. If I'm driving and leave it in gear, it will stop then restart 2-4 times. It is getting worse by the week and I'm afraid it will soon die and I will not be able to get it started! The Check Engine light does Not come on and no Diagnostic Trouble Codes are set.
A mechanic has been trying to diagnose the problem for 2 days but can't duplicate the problem very often... which makes his job more challenging!
Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
A mechanic has been trying to diagnose the problem for 2 days but can't duplicate the problem very often... which makes his job more challenging!
Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
TECH Resident
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 751
Likes: 322
I have a 1998 Formula with a major problem. The engine dies at various times. It almost always dies on the first drive each morning during the first 6-8 minutes, a couple of minutes after it reaches normal operating temperature. If I'm sitting at a light, I usually have to restart it 3 times. I have a manual transmission. If I'm driving and leave it in gear, it will stop then restart 2-4 times. It is getting worse by the week and I'm afraid it will soon die and I will not be able to get it started! The Check Engine light does Not come on and no Diagnostic Trouble Codes are set.
A mechanic has been trying to diagnose the problem for 2 days but can't duplicate the problem very often... which makes his job more challenging!
Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
A mechanic has been trying to diagnose the problem for 2 days but can't duplicate the problem very often... which makes his job more challenging!
Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
If so, I like Finkledbody's idea of checking electrical. I'd check all electrical connections and grounds. (alternator and battery) https://ls1tech.com/forums/pontiac-f...-all-them.html
Particularly when the outside temperature is cold, we've seen some members have loose connections get better as things warm up and metal expands. The problem gets worse over time, as you describe, as the loose connections get looser.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque, NM
Thanks to all of you for the comments and the suggestions. The mechanic checked the battery and the connections and said they were fine.
Unfortunately, they are having trouble duplicating the problem ... which I predicted.
Unfortunately, they are having trouble duplicating the problem ... which I predicted.
Does this mean that the car shuts off and then re-starts by itself with the clutch engaged?
If so, I like Finkledbody's idea of checking electrical. I'd check all electrical connections and grounds. (alternator and battery) https://ls1tech.com/forums/pontiac-f...-all-them.html
Particularly when the outside temperature is cold, we've seen some members have loose connections get better as things warm up and metal expands. The problem gets worse over time, as you describe, as the loose connections get looser.
If so, I like Finkledbody's idea of checking electrical. I'd check all electrical connections and grounds. (alternator and battery) https://ls1tech.com/forums/pontiac-f...-all-them.html
Particularly when the outside temperature is cold, we've seen some members have loose connections get better as things warm up and metal expands. The problem gets worse over time, as you describe, as the loose connections get looser.
Long shot...... Check your fuel pump relay under the hood. Very possible it could be going bad or bad. Usually it goes bad and you are done, but I had them hard start a couple of times then finally crank over and run for a bit.
Like I said... Looooong Shot
Like I said... Looooong Shot
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Joined: Mar 2020
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When we brought our 2001 back to Nebraska from Arizona in November last year. We were having problems with it dying on the initial start up. That turned out being the fuel pump. Replaced it when we got home and didn't have any problem until we took it out of hibernation a week ago. (Fuel pump swap is expensive. Its in the gas tank.) When taking it out of Winter storage it died three times in a half mile getting it home. This turned out to be a minor problem. It was diagnosed as a dirty throttle plate. My mechanic cleaned it out and it runs fine now. I think it's right behind the air filter towards the firewall. He's been my next door neighbor and mechanic for Thirty years and really knows his stuff. Good Luck.
Need to put the trap door in for the fuel pump...... Can change mine out in 20 minutes or less :-)
Get some seafoam spray and keep your throttle body clean..... Spray it down every six to eight months and you will not have a dirty TB anymore.
Get some seafoam spray and keep your throttle body clean..... Spray it down every six to eight months and you will not have a dirty TB anymore.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque, NM
My car finally set a code. Crank position sensor. It was replaced a few days ago and the engine has not died since then. The problem is intermittent so it is too soon to know for sure if the problem has been fixed. I hope so because it is about to drive me crazy ... not to mention the dead engine has almost gotten me into trouble a few times.