Car dies while running

[lacey]

I bought a 99 Eclipse RS for my son. It ran great during the test drive but only 10 miles away from the dealership it died in traffic. After letting the car sit for a few minutes it started right up and drove for another 10 miles and died. It did this about 7 times before I called the dealer. He sent a mechanic out to our location and the car wouldn't die. So we made the 4 hour trip home with no problems. Then a few days later it began doing this again. My son found that if he jiggled the wires on the fuel pump it would start right up. So he did this several times. However that eventually failed as well. We have replaced the fuel filter and fuel pump. I called and spoke with a mechanic today and he said to check the fuel relay switch but we can't find the thing. Now if the car dies you have to let it sit for a good 20 minutes before it will finally start again. We have no check engine light and when it's running everything seems to be in good working condition. Please help because we are very frustrated with the car.

 

[Ballistik2G]

Fuel relay is on the top of the firewall, drivers side. There are three Relays if it's an auto, two if manual. I can't remember which is which at the moment.
Also, I've had multiple no start issues as a result of the coolant temp sensor. It's the larger sensor directly below the the radiator cap in the thermostat housing. Next time it fails to start, unplug it and see if the car starts. Hope that helps.

 

[lacey]

If it were the coolant temp sensor or even the fuel relay wouldn't that throw a code? This is why I have been so confused with this car. I guess I assumed that if it were any sensors I would have a code by now. But I will try the next time it dies. Thank you so much.

 

[Ballistik2G]

Not necessarily. The check engine light doesnt always offer much help. A scan tool would most likely be the best option. Crank sensors also have been known to overheat and cause problems like this.

 

[lacey]

So my son took the car out and sure enough it died. He pulled the temp sensor like you suggested and it fired right up. Thank you. I will get a new sensor tomorrow. However maybe you can answer one last question for me. What all does that sensor control? The car has two fans by the radiator. One fan only comes on with the AC. Should that fan be running at all times to keep things cool or is that normal? Maybe this sensor would correct a couple of problems? Your awesome thanks so much for the help.

Okay so I have one more crazy question. I was told to check the fuel sensor that would be on top of the fuel tank. I have no idea what that is nor have I been able to find any such sensor on the tank or internet.

 

[Ballistik2G]

Awesome, glad I could help. The sensor controls the fans, but only one will spin most of the time and the second usually comes on with the ac. Iirc it also gives the ecu the necessary measurements to control hot start enrichment, timing, etc. Quite a few things depend on that temp sensor.
As for the fuel sensor, there are only 3 things I can think of around the tank. The fuel pump, under the backseat, left access door. The fuel someding unit, I believe is under the backseat, middle access door. And the fuel pressure regulator, which is under the car along the fuel lines, I believe passenger side of the tank.

 

[lacey]

Just an update, we changed the coolant temp sensor and the car died within five minutes. Also we changed the fuel relay switch and that didn't do the trick either. So if anyone has any other suggestions please let me know. If not we maybe making our way to a mechanic soon.

 

[Delta2Echo]

...Could it be a short/loose wire somewhere? I mean, if it works after he 'jiggles the fuel lines'

Just a thought. Sometimes it's those stupid, little things...like my car not liking the Bosch Platinum spark plugs, .

Anyway, that could explain why it cuts on and off, and jiggling the lines helps...as well as there not being a code popping up from a bad sensor.

 

[keltalon]

Just an update, we changed the coolant temp sensor and the car died within five minutes. Also we changed the fuel relay switch and that didn't do the trick either. So if anyone has any other suggestions please let me know. If not we maybe making our way to a mechanic soon.

My friend had this very same problem out of his eclipse took us two weeks to figure out what it was. change everything from fuel pump to main relays, distrubutor, wires ect. found out it was the crank angle sensor located on the back of the engine block. When you purchase one you will have to purchase the new harness pigtail for the new style has a different shape. We picked one up at oreilly's for cheap. The 2g eclipse is notorious for this problem. Try this and let us know if it cuts off again.

 

[Ballistik2G]

Agreed.. Crank sensor

 

[lacey]

We changed the crank sensor and the took a trip around the block several times without any problems. However when we went on a longer drive the check engine light would flash on and off. So I am not positive that it's fixed yet.

 

[keltalon]

We changed the crank sensor and the took a trip around the block several times without any problems. However when we went on a longer drive the check engine light would flash on and off. So I am not positive that it's fixed yet.

Kind of wanting to make sure did you get a new one? if so make sure its tight and the connector is on there snug.

 

[lacey]

Yeah we got a new sensor. I will check to make sure it's nice and tight. I will let you know how things turn out. Thank you everyone for the help. I sure hope we get this fixed.

 

[keltalon]

Yeah we got a new sensor. I will check to make sure it's nice and tight. I will let you know how things turn out. Thank you everyone for the help. I sure hope we get this fixed.

Hey that's why we here

 

[Ballistik2G]

Ive seen quite a few times the plug seems snug but it's not. Might make sure the red push clip is out all the way, push/pull the plug as far as you can into the sensor, then slide the red clip over.

 

[Rexwagon1909]

I had the same problem a couple years ago, changed out the crank sensor and no more problems

 

[keltalon]

Any updates on your issue?