engine cutoff problem

[Terrykat]

I have a 93 del sol. It just cutoff while driving yesterday and still does. It will not start right back. I replaced the fuel filter and the same problem. If anyone could help me with some possible causes and fixes I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

[EyesofFreedom]

Need a little more info-

Does it do it only when the engine is warm?

For the first start of the day does it always start?

Does it sometimes or always restart?

What exactly where you doing when it died?

[Terrykat]

Thanks for responding. It has just started Thurs. My wife was just driving back to work from lunch. I went to get the car about a hour and a half later, and it cranked right up. She had almost made it back to the office so I just drove it about 100 ft. Parked for about 5 min. and was going to test it. Backed out of the parking space and it cut off. Loaded it on a trailer with a winch and took it home. It cranked right up, backed it off and parked it. I replaced the fuel filter and tried it again. It ran for about 5 mi. and just died. And now will not crank at all. It turns over great, but that is all. That's it. Any ideas?

[EyesofFreedom]

ok, I had a similar problem. Follow along and see if this sounds like it. When it first started to act up, it would crank fine in the morning, then after about a 5 min drive it would stall. It would not recrank until it sat for about 30 to 45 mins. As it got worse it would have to set for several hours or overnight. At first it acted like a spark problem, so I replaced the coils, coil control unit, ignition switch, plugs and wires and it would still do it.

As the problem got worse it got to thinking about what actually controls the fuel and delivery systems. The ECU (computer) controls the spark through the coil control units and the fuel delivery through the injectors and pump, but the 'crankshaft position sensor' is what tells the computer what to do and when to do it. I am not sure if that is what HMC calls it, but it should be located on the lower back of the motor, look for a shotgun shell sized tube sticking out with one or two wires. I am willing to bet this is your problem. As the engine warms, the contacts will start to seperate, and the signal going to the computer falters, causeing the starting-running problem. Oh, they are pretty cheap too, for my wifes saturn is was 11.97

[EyesofFreedom]

Also, you can attempt to clean the other one. Most of the time it is just extreme carbon-sludge buildup that causes the metallic sensor to loss contact, and occasionally this will work. If you do this I would recommend using something along the lines of 'OOPS', but be sure it is clean and free of residue when you reinstall it. Highly volitile vapors in the bottom end of your engine is never a good thing!

[Terrykat]

Thanks for the info. If it fixes the problem, I will let you know.

[EyesofFreedom]

Cool, if it dont, let me know. We'll keep trying.

[Terrykat]

I could not find the crankshaft sensor, probably not looking in the right place. Someone said to try the main relay. I got one from honda today for $75. Still nothing. I may need to get a manual to help me locate things. I was also told it could be the distributor. Any ideas anyone?

[underated]

try checking the ignition rotor and the distributor cap. some times when they go bad your car will run for a bit then it will cut off then when you try to turn it on it feels and sounds like it wants to turn on but it doesnt i've had similar problems before > try checking them then let me know > !

[Terrykat]

I replaced the distributor cap and rotor, but still will not run.