Car dies at random

[koh-oner]

i have a 95 eclipse rs. i got it a few months ago with suspension problems and body damage. i have done tons of work and now have a new problem. it starts and idles at 3k for a sec then drops to about 900. it seems fine but makes kind of a squeky sound but goes away as it warms up. but my car at random shuts off while driving with no warning it doesnt jump or show any signs of being off. some times i dont even notice till i let the clutch out and it restarts. my cel light, oil light and battery light all flash on for about 3 seconds then go off i am going to get the code read some time soon but am looking to see what might cuase this problem i no lots of ppl with the 95 rs have this problem but all a little different any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Boost92awd]

Sounds like your alternator is taking a shit. Go to autozone and get your battery and alternator checked. Also check your battery cables for a loose ground wire.

 

[koh-oner]

alright ima go get the alternator checked and what did you change that fixed it?

 

[dr1665]

95s were the only 2GNT models prone to ECU issues. Check the obvious stuff first, though.

Particularly, the harness running alongside the EGR tube on the driver's side of the head.

 

[koh-oner]

i just went out and looked over my wiring but the only place that looked at all damaged was right between my oil cap and my intake manifold but it didn't seem to have burned any wires. so any other suggestions? i tried to rent a scanner today but they didn't have any in stock so any other ideas would be great thanks for the help so far. and pictures would help alot too

 

[TalonESIT]

i just went out and looked over my wiring but the only place that looked at all damaged was right between my oil cap and my intake manifold but it didn't seem to have burned any wires. so any other suggestions? i tried to rent a scanner today but they didn't have any in stock so any other ideas would be great thanks for the help so far. and pictures would help alot too

Have you tried the key dance to find your codes?

"In 95-97 Avengers/eclipse there is a trouble code retrieving technique affectionately called the "key dance". It will save you from having to get the code pulled at Autozone (which is free btw) or any other place like them. Anyway, here's what you do...

- with the key in the ignition turn it to the ACC postition 3 times and on the third time keep it on the ACC position...immediately look at where the check engine light (CEL) is and count how many times it blinks. It will blink and give you two sets of numbers....it will blink for the first, then pause, then blink again for the second. It may repeat, in any case, jot the numbers down. The last set will be a set of fives = 5, space, 5 or 55 which means it's done pulling codes in laymans terms

If you don't get a code, but your car is acting funny, you will most likely have to take it in to get the codes read, if there are any from the ECU....or....turn the key to the ON position, the CEL (check engine light) should come on as a self test (testing the bulb that is), if it doesn't come on and your car is acting up, chances are you CEL bulb is out. BTW, all the critical dummy lights do come on for self tests "

2GNT.com - PCM_Error_Codes

This also gives you more info on the key dance and what the codes mean.

 

[koh-oner]

thanks for the key dance info. i just went out and did it and on the third one it stayed lit for a second or 2 then it blinked and paused and blinked 2 times so im guessing that first light was just to let me no im in the on position so its throwing a code 12 witch means it has been disconnected within the last 50 key ons? so all that means is my battery was disconected within the last 50 times i drove my car.

 

[koh-oner]

so i just went out again and turned the car on to let it run and it ran for about 3 minutes max and just died and the cel came on. so i tried the key dance again and even tho it just had the cel come on it just threw the 12 again. when it was on it idled at about 1k for those few minutes then died.

 

[koh-oner]

aslo when i turn my heater on it seams to run alot more rough and then die so i would think a leaky head gasket correct me if im wrong i really dont want that. and if i am right wouldent that throw a code? how much 2 replace a head gasket?

 

[Locke]

Test power; With the engine running and lights, radio, heater blower, &c.. on at the same time, you shouldn't have less than 13V available.

 

[koh-oner]

my car dies to fast once the heater is on.

 

[koh-oner]

doe4s any one think it could be my pcm?

 

[TalonESIT]

doe4s any one think it could be my pcm?

Do you have a place where you can grab a spare?

 

[koh-oner]

i would have to buy a new one and if im not positive i dont want to flush 300 down the drain.

 

[koh-oner]

i just rememberd this problem didnt occur until i replaced my oil pan and gasket. the previous owner had put napa sae 40 oil i changed it with castrol gtx synthetic oil