3.8 runs great... then dies

[C.Palmer]

i've seen a similar post before but can't find it. i just got a 97 3.8 A4 completely stock all the way down to the paper filter. GREAT condition!

I was sitting at a stop light with a perfect idle and the car just shut off. no ticks, no other strange noises, just shut off like i turned the key off. I started it up and drove home just fine. another time i was driving about 40mph and it did the same thing but came back on in maybe a 1 second interval... the battery needle dumps and everything and then spikes back up.

who here had this problem or knows what the problem is? It's driving me crazy! Don't want to be going 70-80 on the freeway and loose my power steering because the motor shuts off :eek:

[lord_gufi]

something is grounding out check all of your grounds .. All of them and also check wires for arking and worn wires every where
happend to a friend of mine, hope i helped

[99Camaro99]

the gauge spiking and all...hmm...sounds all familiar to me. Check your electrical system...mainly the battery/alternator

[C.Palmer]

keep the feedback coming! just out of curiosity, how could it be the battery or alternator if both have power? I thought they just died when they go bad

could this be the possible result to an engine steam cleaning? the reason I ask is because this engine bay is SPOTLESS... i can only assume this guy had the car pro detailed before selling it.

[99Camaro99]

battery could be giving out low and/or inconsistent voltage. When mine was doing this everytime I started the car it would have a hard time turning over and when it did the gauges would spike and the trip meter would set to zero. It's basically a sign of the battery going ka-puut!! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[camaro_speedemon]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by C.Palmer:

could this be the possible result to an engine steam cleaning? the reason I ask is because this engine bay is SPOTLESS... i can only assume this guy had the car pro detailed before selling it.<hr></blockquote>

Bingo! He probably pressure cleaned the engine bay. It could have knocked a wire or connection loose. I have heard that happening before, and would advice against doing it. Think Water+electronics=bad news.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by C.Palmer:

just out of curiosity, how could it be the battery or alternator if both have power? I thought they just died when they go bad <hr></blockquote>

If the battery isn't secure, it could be grounding out. Which is causing a short in the electrical system. I'm willing to bet money your problem is a loose connection/wire due to it being pressure cleaned. From what you are describing, it really sounds like something is shorting out. Check all your connections under the hood.

[apiccola]

You're alternator may be suffering from "heat-stroke". It might be a good time to replace the brushes, regulator, and bearings. Give the internals a good cleaning, too.

If you have an OBD-II scanner, check your PCM just in case it has registered codes that do not trigger the warning light. If you don't have a scanner, swing by an AutoZone. They will scan your PCM for free.

Also, verify that your voltage drop isn't related to transmission activity; ie, lock-up engage/disengage, when you just shift into reverse, when you come to a stop, or during any gear change. If you discover a correlation, take your car to an honest tranny shop soon ... and good luck finding one.

Of course, you may have the XP-Home version of PCM's which reboots itself for no reason from time-to-time. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[MCGusto]

I haven't had any trouble like that in my camaro, but i did have the exact same thing happen to me about 10 yrs ago in my Lebaron (yeah, i know..its a chics car..hahaha) Come to find out i had to replace the computer. After i did that it ran great. Hopefully you dont have to do that...if i remember right, it wasn't a cheap fix.

[camaro_speedemon]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by MCGusto:
I haven't had any trouble like that in my camaro, but i did have the exact same thing happen to me about 10 yrs ago in my Lebaron (yeah, i know..its a chics car..hahaha) Come to find out i had to replace the computer. After i did that it ran great. Hopefully you dont have to do that...if i remember right, it wasn't a cheap fix.<hr></blockquote>

It could be your comupter to, If you're not in the mood to spend major money, and have basic electronic knowlege, take your computer apart and make sure nothing is shorting out. My friends uncle had a short in his computer, he took it apart and found the short, and just re-soldered the connection.

[C.Palmer]

It's been behaving the past few days now. I'm hoping my parents didn't buy a lemon. From the looks and overall mechanical conditon i think it's in GREAT shape... like so good it feels new. I'll check all the connections under the hood tomorrow and see if i can find anything. Autozone can scan it later after the holiday crowds go home... like next week!