Hello fellow 5th gens. I have a 02 130k max automatic and last night as I was driving the engine shut off but the power accessory was still on. I put the car on P(park) and cranked it and the engine started. I'm worrying that it might happen When I'm on the highway, etc. Amy idea whatit could be? I changed battery + starter around 3 years ago. I was thinking mayb it the spark plugs

 

First off, good luck dude. This can be quite a pain to diagnose a problem that throws no codes. And this specific problem can also get quite dangerous if you're shutting down on the highway.

Speaking of codes, that's the first thing you should do is check if it threw any codes. Of course if it did, go from there. If it didn't, that's when this can get quite tricky and tough to diagnose.

My first thoughts on this problem would be engine overheating or losing oil pressure, check both of those first but thing is if it was one of these problems usually you'd see a CEL.

If it was something with the ignition/alt/bat then it would likely kill the accessories also, which makes me wonder why yours stayed on. It can also be the fuel pump, perhaps your fuel pump is cutting out.

So after eliminating any other possibilities, my next guess is you might have a short somewhere, and you need to check your connections (esp. if you put anything aftermarket in the car). Check any and all aftermarket connections first, then any other connections going to the engine and it's computers (IE. ECU).

Good luck with the car dude, let us know what it was when you figure out the issue.

 

My money is on cam position sensor and/or crank position sensor. My car did the same thing when it went out, but it threw a code as well. Did your check engine light go on?

I doubt its oil pressure because the car would still run just make a lot of noise and then grenade the engine if that was the case. If it was hot you would see it on the temp gauge. Its likely not the plugs either because no way would all 6 or even half go out at the same time. Same with coils. Enough of them do not go out at once to cause it to shut down usually; you will just get a misfire.

 

There was no check engine light and I changed the crank shaft sensor less than a year ago. During that year the Ecl came on and the code was the crankshaft sensory s I replaced it and did a oil change. The Ecl went away within like 200 miles. About the aftermarket I did buy aftermarket headlights which didn't fit oem wires so I had to do sme electric work. I also installed the underpass lights and tap it with the cig lighter power.

 

Sounds like a intermittent problem in Fuel pump. could be on its way out. that's low miles though.

 

Were the sensors you bought aftermarket? Ever replace alternator? Alternator is less likely since the car started up again but you never know. Get it tested...its free. Were you driving hard and then let off the gas and it died or just normal cruising? Check for pending codes as well.

 

The sensors I brought were from auto zone duralast brand. I never changed the alternator but I have a feeling it the fuel pump. I was actually cruising approaching a red light. Before the engine shut off I felt like the I felt like something was weird. Felt like the engine was increasing rpm by very little and den stopped

 

I suggest cam position sensor as well - Mine just went out a few weeks ago and I had similar issues. I noticed with mine that the idle was a bit crazy as well and the car seemed to want to go even when I was off the throttle. My car acted up for a few weeks before it finally threw a code. Have you had any issues starting the car?