:( :( :( :( My parents own a 1999 Pontiac Montana mini-van. 28k loaded. They are on a road trip and they just called and they are dead on the side if the highway. The engine revved up all b itself and then just died in the middle of the freeway. The engine will barely turn over and it will not start. The headlights are dim. They are going to have it towed to Moses Lake WA. Anybody have any ideas.

THANKS
Daniel

Crap. I wish we could help, but we're going to need more info. The best course of action right now would be to pull codes. That'* #1. Get us more info, and keep us updated!

Need me to drive up and shuttle them around?

What info do you need? I can ask them anything???

Thanks for the offer but there is only two of them


thanks
daniel

We need a more detailed descrip of what happened, and what the conditions were (speed, accelleration, engine temp), then EXACTLY what happened. Felt and indicated, and we need codes.

OK they were driving on the freeway I-90 at 70 m.ph. With the cruise control set at 70. it was a level road do there was no acceleration to speak of when the engine revved up and then just shut off as if you turned the key back. The engine temp was normal. They are en route to the Pontiac dealership now. I talked with my mechanic and he said that it is probably the alternator because when the system gets below 9 volts the whole fuel system shuts off. As far as the revving he thinks it was the computer try to get more voltage by revving the engine as a last ditch effort. If there is anything else you need let me know I can call them.

thanks again
daniel

That does sound like the problem. Some really weird things can happen when voltage gets low. The fact that it would barely turn over when they tried to start it again speaks volumes. The charging system is a completely seperate system onto itself. A problem with the engine (other than not running) would not affect the charging system. ie a miss in the engine would not cause an alternator to stop charging or the battery to die.

The verdict is in. it "spun a main rod bearing"( that is what my mom said) the engine is shot at 28k go figure i am really p!@@!#!@# now. Is it normal for an engine to blow up at 28k??????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????

WTF??!! at 30,000 miles it would be the most improbable time for an engine failure. The most frequest times are when new (infant mortality) or progressively more frequest with much higher mileage. At 30,000 the engine is nicely broken in and should be running at best efficiency (bearing wise). The only thing that would cause this to happen would be a lubrication failure. You would get an indication of a loss of pressure though. Did this occur when the vehicle was up to temp or just right out on the highway with a cold engine (seen that before).

they had been driving for about an 1.5hrs on the freeway. The engine actually siezed up. But there was no oil lights voltage lights or even service engine soon lights. The new engine is $2,500 plus install OUUUCHHH :(

My 1992 SSE has been to South dakata and back and utah and back running at more than 75 and with 129k it still is running like a top. Series II 3.8'* Rock