420A Possible electrical problem.

[h8z 2 luze]

Ok it doesnt do it at any certain time but I can be at idle or going 60 mph and the car will just die like BAM no sputtering or anything jut like you turned off the key then in about 3-5 seconds or less sometimes but no more than 10 seconds it will come back on and act like nothing is wrong and sometimes it is hard to start. I thought it could be that the oil was low. it was low so i added some and it still did it once but it sometimes doesnt do it for days or like tonight it did it like 5 or 6 times. I dont understand it. The tach and the speedometer go completely to 0 even if i am going 50. Then it will come back on like you tunred the key back on all the lights come on the dash like when you first turn on the key but when it dies my parking lite dash lights do not go off. I jiggled the key all over and it didnt do it do its not a lose connection there. Please help me out guys.

 

[Talesin]

Almost definitely an electrical problem, if your lights are going out. Possibly a loose ground somewhere. Also, check your battery terminals. Make sure they're snug and getting a good connection.
Next, check your ECU. Pop it out, open it up and have a look inside, check for any burn-marks or leaking capacitors. Less likely than the loose ground, especially on a 2G.

Originally I was going to recommend a boost leak test, as it sounded at first like you might just be hitting fuel cut... but you're a N/T.
Does it only happen when your headlights are on? Or more precisely, has it ever happened with them turned off?

 

[luv2rallye]

Is battery tied down (with insulator on +) so it doesn't short against the hood?

 

[h8z 2 luze]

I cant say forsure but i think that it does only do it when the lights are on. Yes the battery is tied down. My lights dont go off, but the guages go completely to 0 and when it starts back up the idiot lights come on. I put new battery connectors on it. I will check for a ground. Last night it didnt just die though it kinda like it was running out of gas but I know thats not it.

 

[luv2rallye]

Along with bad grounds also check for bad alternator or blown 100A alternator fuse.

 

[h8z 2 luze]

Well today I went out to start it and it would not start just kept cranking over. It finally started so i started to work then like 1 mile up the road it died. Then never started again just kept cranking like I unhooked the coil or something. I have no clue whats wrong with it. I had it towed to my dads he is a mechanic we are noth going to look it over and see if we can figure it out. He told me to fix it and sell it . I dont know about that cause my girl payed 10,000 for it like 4 or 5 years ago now it blue books at $3,200. I think I could get 4 for it though. What do you guys think?

 

[Chaddycakes21]

Check your fuses, i had this same problem before. I ended up having to replace the alternator fuse. I personally wouldnt sell a car that doesnt start its going to drop the value drastically even if the buyer knows whats wrong with it, the buyer will be like..... idk it doesnt even start ill give ya 2500

 

[h8z 2 luze]

I am not going to sell it until I fix it . Well we found out that NOTHING works not the fuel pump, coil, anything except lights. We think it could be the computer. I hope not though. Autozone said depending on what one it is the price ranges from 360-499. THe check engine light will not come on at all. This car is PROBLEMS . Well anyway. What do you guys think?

 

[Greg Collier]

These cars are real battery dependent. Bad connections and bad grounding can create havoc like nothing else. First make sure the battery itself is good. Have it tested. Then check the alternator. You can have both of these tested at your local Auto Zone, Pep Boys, Kragen, etc... To just assume it's the ECU is a costly guess. Check the obvious throughly, and I mean throughly, before you do anything else...

 

[luv2rallye]

These may help you find bad grounds:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179916
or shorts:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179481.
Also how to test fuses without removing them:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179914.