Engine Quits
 

Ok here we go again, my car stalls while driving. I leave it for 10-15 minutes and it starts no problems again for several days. I had this problem 6 months ago and thought it was the crank sensor but for 6 months it has been fine, now back to the same problem. I have a code tool but it syays 96 or newer and I have a 95 SSEI, will this work?

Bob :x

That code reader won't work. You need an OBD1 reader with an OBD2 connector.

Does it seem to be heat-related?

No not heat related, it just quits at any speed everthing is normal.

Have you noticed any consistencies with it?

It will only run for so long?
It only quits when wet?
It worked great until the weather warmed up?
Things were fine until you were just under the hood

Try and find something consistent and that will be a huge help to solving your problem.

AHA!

Just thought of something. I've seen this a few times before. 2 strong possibilities:

#1: Broken/cracked battery terminal INSIDE the battery. Next time it happens, try shaking the cables to see if it helps.

#2: Battery/alt connection elsewhere. This should take you about 2 hours:
Disconnect, clean, and reconnect ALL 12V connections from the battery, alt, and starter, as well as all ground locations from these devices (block, brackets, etc), clean them, and put them all back.

My bet says one of these two is your problem.

Oh sure... I just put up a good post and you get sobered up and solve the problem. :lol:

Sorry I guess I should be more detailed. The car turns over great but will not start. If I try and start it in less that 10 minutes then I have to wait more time (penatly?). Come to think of it this seems to happen 5-10 minutes into my drive most times. I am thinking fuel pump or filter other than that I am at a loss.

Bob

Ok. now we are talking.

If you made it 10 minutes you are probably not suffering a fuel delivery problem. On a side note...if it's been that long a new fuel filter would make your car smile. Not to mention lessening the load on the pump.

Sound heat/electrical related to me. Like a crack in the plastic on a coil or something that opens up and archs once the engine compartment heats up. Right about 10 minutes in....
Maybe a cracked sensor. Heat makes things come apart ... I've seen spark plugs work great til they heated up...then my chainsaw would croak...just like you are saying. Gotta cool good til it makes contact again.

Ok, next time it happens, I want you to try something. There's a wire with a single green connector on it tucked behind your battery. Just inside the passenger fender.

Under normal circumstances, (key off), you should be able to read with a meter from that to ground. That line goes through the fuel pump motor windings and to the pump ground. Tell us what you read in Ohms.

This line comes in handy, as you can jumper from the 12v + on the battery to this line with the key off, and the fuel pump will run.

But when the key is turned to 'run' (not necessary to actually start), it should 'break' this line and you should read infinite resistance. This can be used to troubleshoot your fuel pump AND fuel pump relay. When the fuel pump runs, you should be able to hear it. Have a helper jumper it while you listen under the rear of the car.

If the fuel pump relay is your problem, or the fuel pump itself, this can be handy to help you figure it out.

Update!!

Ok I have changed the fuel filter and I think there was a hole in the line as it broke when I tried to remove the filter also I could smell fuel. The line was very rusty and needed to be replaced. Since then no problems but then it was ok for 6 months. I checked with a volt meter and saw what you were talking about, I will carry my meter and check it if it fails again. I don't know if this is a good test but I put water in the old filter and it did not run out the other end very fast (plugged?). Thanks for the help and maybe this will fix it.

Bob