clmantis21

So I was driving home for Spring Break (4.5 hour drive)... and about 3, almost 4 hours into the drive I decided to stop for gas. As I pulled into the station and into a complete stop, the car shuts off on its own.

side note:
(I've had this happen at a light once about a year ago, and another about 2 weeks ago. I've searched through this forum and read some of the issues with compression but this seemed a bit different... i think)

So I phoned my dad who decided to meet me to help out. I tried starting the car about 4 times while I waited for my dad to arrive but it never started. It sounds as it is about to, but doesnt. Battery is fine by the way.

Both my dad and I looked through the engine bay, but not much we could think of but to check fuel pump fuses n stuff. He did spot a bit of an oil stain(s) around the area above the battery near the alternator. Hmm... I'll try n snap a pic of this for your suggestions on where this may be coming from.

Anyway, we were going to try to push start it (or pull start it) when my dad put the car into 2nd gear and it started all on its own before we even had to push start. Kinda weak, but started nonetheless. He then drove it home (the 30-45 mins I had left in the trip) and he said it drove just fine. When we got home we started it up a few times, even in neutral this time.

I want to take it to Autozone or the dealer but my CEL isnt current on. It comes and goes every once in a while.... but at this moment it isnt on. I also noticed that when the car started up again the "DSC off" light was on as well as the traction light (which is still on but I expect to go away on its own?).

Any comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Is there a charge for a compression test at the dealer? Or for them to run the CEL code when I get a CEL again?

Thanks guys!!

CyberPitz

What year/mileage?

Do you have the upgraded starter?

How old are the Coils/Plugs/Wires?

You say the battery is fine, does that mean you have a brand new one?

Just to make 100% sure, it's cranking but just not starting. Did you try the deflood procedure? Did smoke come out of the back after it finally started?

clmantis21

2004/77xxx miles

To be completely honest I'm not sure that I have the upgraded starter. But, why would this cause my car to stop running?

I've never changed the Coils or Wires but I know the plugs were changed while the dealer deflooded it back when it was still under warranty. I'm assuming around 30k or so? I'm not sure if they replaced the wires or coils.

The battery is fine because its fairly new, and all power devices in the car running properly. And, the car did start up again... but it took my dad discovering it only by accident when he put it into 2nd gear and tried starting it again.

clmantis21

does anyone know where this oil might of come from? Or if it is a serious concern?

Mazurfer

See the hose I pointed to?
This hose runs from the oil filler neck to the throttle body.
Is it connected tightly?
Is the plastic elbow cracked where it connects to the throttle body?
Does the hose have a hole or tear in it?

This is one way that oil could get where it is, but this would mean that you've had some blow back, or that you have overfilled your oil at some point in time. I think you better take a look inside your intake box and see what your air filter looks like.

This doesn't solve or expalin your problem when you were driving, but I'm glad it did restart. I have heard of some that coming off an interstate will die, and then restart after 20 minutes of cool down. Maybe this is what you saw? I'll try and find those threads.

Your DCS/TCS coming on most likely is that the car lost power for an instant or two when it shut off. This would indicate possible alternator problem? If I were you, I would take a look at my battery connections and clean them up real good.

clmantis21

Mazurfer...

Thanks for your input. I just checked the hose you pointed to and there doesnt seam to be any type of crack or hole. It seems to be tightly in place. I did have an oil change recently so I am hoping that is what the problem is (maybe some over filling?).

As for the loss of power causing the DSC/TSC makes sense because my dad unplugged the battery while we were trying to figure out why it wasnt starting.

On a side note: Car has been working fine since 2 days ago when this happened. I even drove it to South Padre which is about 30 miles... with no problems on highway. I did however get a CEL again... which today ran it by Autozone and came back as...

"Intake manifold tuning valve stuck open bank 1"
Probable Cause...
- Linkage stuck or broken
- Mechanical condition
- Intake Manifold Tuning Valve

Any idea?