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Engine stalling while driving
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thequackdaddy
New User
Nov 15, 2010, 8:47 AM
Post #1 of 2
(2002 views)
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Engine stalling while driving
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I've got a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu LS, 3.1L V6. It has a hair under 150k miles.
The car has been having some stalling issues.
Yesterday, while on a 200 mile drive on the Interstate, the car stalled 3 times. Each time I was on cruise control going about 60-70 mph and the engine started to sputter a little. Then it just died. Once it stalled, I immediately tried to start the engine, it wouldn't go. It was behaving like there was no gas going to the engine. However, if I waited about 10 minutes, then tried to start the engine again, it would start with no problems.
I inspected the air intake manifold and the filter. Both were very clean. I had cleaned out the air intake system 9 months ago, approx.
From what I can tell, there are 3 likely causes of this.
1.) Leak in the vacuum tubes
2.) Bad O2 sensor
3.) Dead (or dying) fuel pump
I can tell you that each time that it died, I did a quick sound check of the fuel pump, and I heard it buzz every time I tried to start the car. (i.e., If I turned the key to "Off", then turned it to "On" but not start, I could hear the pump buzz for a few seconds.)
I'm suspicious if there is really a leak in the vacuum tubes or a problem with the O2 sensor as the car eventually started again, and I was under the impression that a vacuum/O2 failure would cause the computer to send an error code, and I haven't seen any error codes. Granted, I guess such codes would only appear after a stall, but when the car started running fine again, there's no check engine light.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I was going to stop by Autozone and have one of their guys plug in my car to check for error codes, but I wanted to see if there was anything else I should look out for first. I appreciate any advice you can give.
Thanks!
(This post was edited by thequackdaddy on Nov 15, 2010, 8:47 AM)
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Sidom
Veteran
/ Moderator
Nov 15, 2010, 1:49 PM
Post #2 of 2
(1985 views)
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Re: Engine stalling while driving
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A vacuum leak or bad O2 isn't going to cause the car to die at cruise.
What you are going to need to do is see what you're losing when it dies & won't start. Check for spark. Have a can of carb clean handy and spray some down the throttle body to see if this will get the engine to run for a few seconds....
Once you know what you're missing it will get easier to find the problem........
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