So I was just crusing down the road to go to the car wash and clicked the A/C on and BAM the engine just died. Thought maybe I was outta gas but put 2 gallons in and still no start. Cranks just fine but no fire whatsoever. Seems there was an engine code thrown so I am on my way to autozone to rent a scan tool to help me track down what happened. I pulled all the fuses from under the hood and did not see any that were blown. Any input would be awsome and I will soon update with the code readings. Danthurs you've been my hero in the past in bringing my car back to life. Have you had any problems like this with your 97'. Thanks

Called Autozone they do not rent scan tools and I cannot afford the 100.00 to buy one. So any input would be great even though I know now it is a shot in the dark...

A sudden die suggest to me ignition. Check for spark. To have a total ignition system failure only has a few things that can cause it. Shorted ignition wiring harness, dead crank sensor, dead cam sensor or cam sensor magnet fell off, dead ICM or plug on ICM is loose. Cam sensor is on the bottom of my list of causes.

This also may be a shot in the dark, but I have heard of this happening after someone changes or tampers with their battery. After the battery is reconnected, the computer must relearn the car, and if there is something dirty, it can be taking false readings. Those combination'*, along with turning on the a/c, seem to stall out the car. Have you touched your battery recently?

sounds like a crank or cam sensor

If the car stalled out immediately, then there is a good chance the PCM did not get a chance to post a DTC. Autozone does not rent them, but does connect the scanner to your car for free. If you can get it to them.

First verify that your fuel pump is priming. Leave door open, turn key to ON, but don't start it. You should hear a whine for about 2 seconds coming from the rear end. Let us know what happens.

Depending on how this happened and how much power you had afterwards (your post is vague about what does or doesn't work).

It'* one of Dan'* favorites for a reason, .... check the battery cables. If they are loose the added power needed for the AC clutch could have taken it over the edge.

Battery cable is a good possibility. Turning on the AC changes the PCM tables to higher RPMs and may have been been enough to shut it down.

Okay heres the scoop now. After the engine turned itself off I tried cranking a few times and adding gas and cranked a few more then called a tow truck. Once home I cranked a few more times after checking all the fuses inside and out. After about three attempts to start car the engine would not crank over anymore. I assumed I had drained the battery and proceeded to charge it all night. The green light was on this morning so once off I placed the battery back in and all I get is Click Click Click every time I try to turn it over. All the accessories seem okay, and I also hooked up and additonal battery from my buddies car to rule out having a bad battery. Still click everytime I turn it over. One time I got three cranks out of the engine then it died and more chiming and check engine lights came on. Now I am really in the crapper. Do you think I burned the starter motor up? Is there a way to test it. If I can't crank the motor I can't check for spark. I feel now like this is going down hill fast at the worst possible moment. Pretty typical for me. Do you think the crank or cam sensor has gone bad? Would that cause no crank but the click? Yes I can hear the fuel pump, and the one in now is not even a year old. ( though I have seen them go out that fast) Also I have had the dredded postive battery cable problem. I hate side terminals and normally a good brushing and cocacola take care of that problem. Any help? I am really desperate now. Thanks so much.

This sounds like a battery cable problem. Pull the boots and clean them up real good. Then remove the other end of the cable, at the starter and block, clean them up. Once cranking again, check for spark.