Twice this past month, I was driving along, and went to give the car gas, and nothing. Car shut completely off. When I start it back up, it turns over, starts and dies instantly for about 3 times or so, then starts.

Went to eat yesterday for m parents anniversary. Ate,went outside to leave. I started the car right up...sat for a second then it died. It did the start, cut off thing 3 times. I popped the hood, just pushed in all the plug wires, got in and started right up. Made it home with no problems. Now I dont know if that was a coincidence or not.


My thoughts are, rotor,cap,coil?
Plug wires? Plugs are pretty new.
Ignition switch, or another part of the ignition?

thanks for any help you may provide.


Modified by 99_hb_on_air at 4:14 PM 6/16/2008

 

Check your distributor.

 

ignition coil! pull dizzy and check it for a burn spot

 

I'll check the dis cap later. Think just the cap needs replaced if the coil's not burnt?

 

im gonna go SIREJ8 on this one, "ignition coil" mines went out on me 2 months ago. lucky for me a had a buddy who had a spare one. i replace it and BAMM, my baby came back to life.

 

coil looks fine. And it starts fine, it's just a once in a while thing. So now I'm not sure. $60 for a coil that I may not need right now? I can get a used one for $25.

 

i would do a full ignition tuneup
plugs,wires,cap,button (you said the plugs were good... did you pull them?)
it sounds like just a wear and tear issue to me
when was the last tuneup?

 

I intend to do cap,rotor,wires for sure. It's really odd though. Usually when a cap/rotor goes bad, it will crank and crank, not turn over and instantaneously die.

 

Bro,

I am having the same exact problem with my 98 LX. It'll die sometimes when driving and i can pop start it while driving...then it'll die again. Then, just like you said, there are times when it'll start but die a second later. I've replaced the spark plugs and wires. Checked the cap and it seems fine. Also, at times when it wont start up for more than a second, if i take out the key, rotate it , put it back in and start it, it'll stay started.

 

You got a good discussion here, so just skip it if it's not an automatic trans.

If the thermostat is bad. The car will start up. And the electronics will shut it down once the engine is hot.

 

But this happens when the engine is cold..i'll drive it for the first time that day and it'll happen about 200 feet from my house.