Engine dies while driving
 

The engine in my SVX just cuts out while driving, I can put it into neutral while coasting and it restarts most times and I can continue driving until it happens again...I've replaced the altenator, the battery, and the ignition switch which have not corrected the problem...sometimes the car dies at idle too...the voltage at the cigarette lighter varies between 12.8 and 13.9. the voltage at the battery terminals is a constant 14.0 volts?...I'm not sure what the problem can be...any help would greatly appreciated....

thanks,
Saart19

Re: Engine dies while driving
 

I would guess a fuel supply problem?

MAF could make the engine cut out but unlikely on idle and driving both.

Good luck,
Keith

Re: Engine dies while driving
 

How does it achieve this "death"?

drop dead? sputter a bit and die? Miss a bunch and finally cut off?

Might help someone to help you with a little more information.

Thanks,
Keith

Re: Engine dies while driving
 

First, id check for codes... even if the check engine light isnt on. You can read how to do it in the "How-To" section.... its very simple. Since you already did the ignition switch, id suspect something further down the line.... such as a bad fuel pump relay or a loose contact in the power distribution box. Since it starts right back up.... id suspect more on the fuel side rather than spark. The SVX does have a limp-home mode for sensor failures but it sounds more like a wiring issue.....

Re: Engine dies while driving
 

Mine did this when the MAF went bad. Check your codes, see if it is throwing the code for Air Meter.

Re: Engine dies while driving
 

+1 for this diagnosis. Check for stored codes like SoCal mentioned though.

Re: Engine dies while driving
 

Kwren...

the car just loses power and all the of the idiot lights come on and the and the engine just dies...no sputter or misfire...it's just like someone turned off the key....?

Re: Engine dies while driving
 

It's your MAF...Mine did the same thing, same exact thing.....Try to find a used one if you can because a new one is $300+ dollars.....Your car may not throw a code right away, but eventually it will...I think it's a code 23

Re: Engine dies while driving
 

Well something you can try is to get a transmission funnel and put the nozzle down into your fuel tanks inlet..... listening for the fuel pump whine. Since you said it stalls while idling too, you should be able to listen to hear if your fuel pump stops right before the car shuts off. If so..... suspect the relay or wiring to the fuel pump, or the fuel injection fuse and related wiring. If it stays on until after it stalls, its probably an air/fuel metering problem or crank/cam sensor malfunction.... which should have turned on the MIL.

Re: Engine dies while driving
 

Hopefully you can get a code. When my MAF went out I always got a code but the car never died. Just started missing like crazy.

There are some ways to repair and-or just clean a MAF but it is doubtful if cleaning alone would help your problem.

How 2's should show how bad solder connections can be repaired.

It still sounds like fuel supply to me, but you are too far away for me to tell:lol:

Good luck.
Keith

Re: Engine dies while driving
 

If you connect the two green connectors under the dash, and then turn the key on, it will put the car into D-Check mode, and it will cycle the solenoids and the fuel pump and the fans, you can use the funnel method to check if the fuel pump is cycling on and off.

However, if the fuel pump shuts off, it won't immediately die, it will sputter a bit first due to the residual pressure in the lines.

I will second the MAF, try unplugging your MAF with the car running, it will immediately die in most cases. Usually what happens is cracked solder joints in the MAF, which in most cases can be repaired, there is an article on this somewhere on here, it's not very hard to do.

Re: Engine dies while driving
 

Exactly what I was going to say...I had a cracked MAF. Tom sent me a new one, and BAM! Back on the road! Thanks again, Tom!

~M

Re: Engine dies while driving
 

same with me... bad MAF exact same symptoms

Re: Engine dies while driving
 

MAF........