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Jim
Grant has been working in the automotive industry for over twenty
years. In addition, Jim is an ASE Master Technician with advanced
L/1 certification. He works as manager and technician in his
family's automotive business in New Hampshire. He writes weekly
automotive consumer columns and is editor of an automotive newsletter
that is circulated throughout North America. |
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Jim Grant's Tech Tips
'98 Chevy Blazer, Shuts Itself Off
Q:
My ‘98 Chevy Blazer
will shut itself off with little or no warning. “It simply dies”.
Doesn't matter whether you are driving on the highway (higher speeds)
or in stop and go city driving. It will start right back up again after
the switch has been turned off, however the cruise control will no longer
function unless you are able to place the vehicle in park before trying
to restart. Before dying, you feel a sudden loss of power. The check engine
light does not usually come on during this time. When it does, and the
system has been put on diagnostics, it simply says that the engine was
"missing". What could be the cause of this malfunction? PS;
This does not happen every day. It could happen once and then not reoccur
for another week or so. It has been happening off and on since the middle
of June.
- Michael W.
A:
Do you want to see
some real funky facial expressions? Just watch a tech’s face when
the caller on the phone says the problem doesn’t happen every day
or all the time. Intermittent problems like the one you’re describing
can be and often are hell to diagnose. I did find one thing interesting
though. You stated that the cruise control stops working until the vehicle
is turned off and put in park after this problem occurs. The cruise control
system on your vehicle works with the vehicle’s computer. They are
connected and share information. Might I suggest unplugging the cruise
control module and driving the vehicle to see if the condition/problem
goes away. It is just a thought. Other wise I would suggest checking the
computer grounds and connecters for a possible bad connection, corrosion
or even signs of water entry. The problem with sporadic problems like
yours is they never break or act-up when the tech is in the vehicle or
with diagnostic equipment connected. I would suggest closely watching
for related operating conditions that might be bringing the trouble on.
Often times there is something else occurring that brings the problem
out. That little piece of information can lead to diagnosis of intermittent
stalling problem like yours.
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