Car Shut off While Driving?

[DC Turismo]

Driving at bout 50 mph today my car just shut off completely while in the passing lane. Pulled over, and tried cranking it but it just cranked and cranked. Ran codes but got steady 55's (end of codes). About fifteen minutes later I figured I'd try cranking it again and this time it started and it limped back home. In about half an hour after it cools down some I'm going to check the oil and antifreeze levels as all as spark plugs to make sure the wires are connected good. Any other ideas as to what may have caused thi sthough? A headgasket wouldn't cause something like what happened happen would it?

I start a new job tomorrow and don't want to end up broken down going on the first day So any answers would be great!

[Greedy]

fuel pump??

[magtec]

my first thought was the HEP, but usually you'll get a code.

[DC Turismo]

Gosh I hope it's not the freaking fuel pump. I don't feel like crawling under this thing hahaha


I'll try swapping out HEP's, but I agree, I thought a code would've shown? I was surprised when it just blinked '55'.

[88_pacifica]

fuel pump; often kicks off when hot and on their "last legs."

[TurboBuggy]

actually I think the HEP usually will not throw a code when it goes out, im willing to bet that is your problem. Beware of crappy auto parts store HEPs though, its not uncommon to get a brand new one that does not work

[WVRampage]

My fuel pump did the same thing when it was going but it useualy happened at Idle.

[Turbodave]

I've seen a lot of HEP failures without a code. It's always wise to carry a spare one just in case.


I've also seen (less frequently) fuel pumps fail when hot. This on the 94 Sundance?

[dodgeman87]

Yeah, when I had a bad fuel pump car just shutoff. Let sit for 5 minutes it would be fine. Eventually it got longer and longer. When I finally decided it was the pump, I decided to drop it off at my son's work. Half way there it went out for good. Car was a '87 Shelny Lancer. Oh if I banged on the fuel tank where the pump was I could it to run for a while.
Jim

[minigts]

I've seen a lot of HEP failures without a code. It's always wise to carry a spare one just in case.


I've also seen (less frequently) fuel pumps fail when hot. This on the 94 Sundance?

The same thing happened to me and it was the wiring to the HEP. No codes (well new ones anyways). Sat for a minute trying to figure out how I was going to get myself out of ANOTHER mess and mine started right up, so I drove home.

Another guy on the forum was having an issue with the car shutting off and then coming back on. His problem was the alternator field wires hitting the radiator because it was so close.

I would check all the wires coming from the HEP and wherever they lead. The orange wire splits at the HEP as well as the purple/white (I think). Check both of those. Mine were exposed and a little loose. Mended both wires, covered them both and problem solved.

[DC Turismo]

Well it had rained and I believe that water maybe got into something. I drove the car around today and it ran fine. So perhaps some moisture got down into the distributor cap/hep area? Not sure, but thanks for the suggestions and I'll keep ya updated if it persists.

[88_pacifica]

Yeah, when I had a bad fuel pump car just shutoff. Let sit for 5 minutes it would be fine. Eventually it got longer and longer. When I finally decided it was the pump, I decided to drop it off at my son's work. Half way there it went out for good. Car was a '87 Shelny Lancer. Oh if I banged on the fuel tank where the pump was I could it to run for a while.
Jim

If I had a nickel for everytime I heard, saw, and lived this I could afford a nice house...

Always pony up and get a good replacement piece. This is NOT an area to "skimp out" and be cheap on a turbo car. The junky "Wells Brand" at Autostoned is a perfect example. Back before I knew as much i went through 3 in less than a yr on a GM. I thought it was ri=ust in the tank after teh ]second one, but that tank was immaculate. They're just cheap, no if, ands, or buts....