Hey folks... can't search so I'm not sure if this has been addressed before, but here's what happened to me yesterday:

Driving down the road (~35mph) when suddenly the car just completely dies. Still have accessories, but the engine just stopped. I had enough momentum to pull into the median, where I promptly turned everything off, waited a couple seconds then tried to start again. The car started, but only after turning over for *way* longer (5-6s) than it usually takes (<1s). Now, the SES/MIL, the TCS, and the SLIP lights are on solid. I drove it straight to the dealer, and the only thing I noticed was a little hesitation in the lower RPM's, though I did completly baby it all the way there.

Any ideas? The weird thing is that this same thing happend to me in October 2002, and the dealer had the car for like three weeks on and off trying to figure it out. Finally they replaced the throttle body and that seemed to take care of it. What kind of failure would this signify?

BTW: It's been really icy here... possible that the TCS just died from over-use? If so, would that make the car die and be hard to start?

Thanks!

Edit: Sorry -- it's a 2002 GLE.

 

maybe out of gas??? hehe

 

go get the code pulled immediately if the car is driveable. most likely, its either a defective ignition coil(s) or the mass air flow sensor. i saw a 4th gen post with the same issue and his ended up being ignition coils. if either one of these cases, both are simple replacements and the parts can be purchased through Dave B (number in FAQ) for the best prices you can find.

 

fuel system problem?
*perhaps* a bad MAF sensor?

TCS can't "wear out", it's just a computer program onboard the ECU which runs using ABS wheel sensor data as its input...

And if your dealer can't figure this one out, they're probably incompetent at anything more than basic diagnosis.

 

Have you had the engine cam and crank sensors replaced?

 

I think the recall applies to this prob. Since you have a 2002, ask the dealer to check your MAF and have the cam/crank position sensor recall done.

 

Thanks -- will do. This car has already had three recalls... Transverse link, accelerator pedal, and it was one of the ~850 cars affected by the odometer recall. Sheesh....

 

Check your main ground... follow your negative cable from the battery all the way to the main ground point make sure that bolt is tight and secure... but it really could be a number of things ... ignition , ignition coils , MAF its hard to tell .

-Anthony

P.S If you find out what it is keep us posted!

 

I am 90% sure it is the engine cam and crank sensors. get the recall done. I have the letter store but I can't att it

 

http://www.harjothundal.com/maximaorg/enginesensor3.pdf
The letter is in this pdf file.

 

What does the ground cable have to do with his problem?