Engine dies in the middle of the road
 

Wondering if this has happened to anyone else.

I have an automatic (47k miles) and for the second time in 2 months, my engine dies while I'm stopped at a stoplight.

First time it happened, my 8 was running real weak - I would have to step hard on the gas to get her to go up to even 50 miles. And then it would rattle. I was at an intersection, waiting on a green light when it suddenly died. All the lights on the control flashed and then the engine literally went cold. My key was in the ignition and everything. I knew it wasn't the battery (and I later tested the battery and it was fine) because the lights were still on as was the radio. I put the car in park and removed the key from ignition. I waited 10 seconds, and then restarted and it ran fine.

I took it in to the dealer and explained the situation. He said that he was unable to recreate the problem and as far as he could tell, everything looked fine. This was a month ago.

Tonight, my 8 did the same thing. It started running weak, then it rattled, then the engine literally shut off while I was stepping on the brakes waiting on a stoplight. It took a longer time for me to restart it (about a minute), but I was able to and I drove home. I'm going to take her in to the dealer again and I'm still under warranty but I'm worried he'll just tell me he can't figure out the problem. It's obviously an engine failure; why would it just shut down like that?

Has this happened to anyone else? Its another in a long series of disappointments I've had with my 8.

I had a similar problem, and I have a workshop manual and started looking through it. Keep in my I have not brought it in to the dealer to ask about it yet. Mine was idled pretty rough, and then, suddenly quit. It started back up pretty easily like you describe. One of things listed in the workshop manual is bad gas. The first time it occured on my car, I had filled up with 87 octane, it was a 90 degree day, and it was 87 octane from a gas station I have not used before. I have now been fillingup with 89 or better, and I have not had the same problem again (yet, knock on wood). The workshop manual lists a wide variety of other possibilites including: vacuum leakage, intake obstruction/leakage, poor/inadequate fuel pressure, fuel pump malfunction, fuel injector clogging, improper air/fuel mixture control, low engine compression, A/C system operating improper, ignition coil malfunction. A bunch of these you should get a check engine light associated with them. If you have not had a check engine light, my advice is if you are not putting 91/93 octante gas in your 8 try that. Not only does the higher octane burn more smoothly it also has fuel injector cleaner in it usually, so that would help solve any fuel injector issues also. If you are running 93 in it, I would probably bring it in to the dealership and also ask them to see if there is an error code in the computer associated with it. Hope this helps.

i have a thread about that also "rotary problemz", check it out

have your coils and cat checked out at the dealer, chances are it's one of those or both (especially at 47k miles)

Many thanks for the helpful suggestions. I'll let you guys know what the dealer says when I take her in and bring up the coils/cat etc.

astro, I was putting in crap gas (87) due to the ridiculous prices in L.A. but I'll start putting in 91 and hope for the best. Never got a CEL from this so maybe its not the engine but the coils.

ubermike I checked out your thread as well - let's hope we both get our problems resolved!

*sigh*

higher octane rating does NOT mean its a *better* gas. It simply means how *good* is it in terms of knock(pining) resisting.

Get high quality name brand 87 Octane gas might be better than some of the *no brand* Premium 91-93 Octane gas.

I have been using nothing but 93 for the past 2 years, but 2 days ago I was starring at the pump, then I said to myself *it doesnt hurt to try, its still cold anyway*. A Tank of Mobil 87. 2 days later(now) , I dont feel any diffs. I will put 93 back into my Tank as soon as the temp reach 65 degrees. but for now, I think 87 is fine for my 8. (I premix, 8oz every tank, by the way)

I use nothing but Shell, Mobil, and BP, u get the idea.

have the same problem on a 04 AT, going to the dealer tomm, im convinced that my coils are dead and i need new plugs, just hit 30k

hahah stall?

again. buy a vowel vana. hahah.

lame ass post again.

beers :beer:

buy a vowel? who says that.. is that some old shakespeare lines? what do u do for a living? geezus i can't understand 90% of what your saying.. isnt it like 2 a.m for you? do u go to work?

wow you=lame

you must be young'n not to know where that phrase comes from..

CaliGirl, just keep track with ubermike's thread, i'm sure you two will be able to solve your problem

no he is 32 :lol:

wow,
if you cannot figure out what i do for a living you are dense like black hole..

your life is short breath deep..

beers :beer:

thats funny,

but no i work three days a week..

beers :beer:

Birthday:
July 2, 1960
Biography:
bartender el grande
Location:
orlando, fl
Interests:
vstrom
Occupation:
bartender el grande

your almost 50 and your bartender...YOU SUCK AT LIFE, not me.

atleast he has real information, and being a bartender is a pretty fun damn job. you want to have a job that you love and would love going to. and he has enough money to buy an 8, mod it and be happy and not be a troll like you :)

he seems to be quite happy while you are coming here to stir up problems

lets lay off this thread, we're thread jacking and i feel bad for caligirl, shes just trying to get some info...

yep,

dont know dick about dick.

but i can call scott and cam by there first names...

to there face.. i work three days a week.. and if i suck at life, you were broken in a test tube.

tard off. then grow some puebs.

beers :beer:

sorrry,

quick answer..

motor bad.. and mounts.. you will get both.. and an extra oil cooler.

but wtf do i know?

beers :beer:

caligirl.

i see you are online. pm me if you have any ?s. i can help. sorry a tard ganked you thread..

beers :beer:

Aww, thanks mazdaspeed. :) I think I got the info I need (sounds like coils) and have the ammo to go to the dealer tomorrow and make sure he tests the appropriate things.

Thanks to all (well, except a couple of youse) for your help! Every time I have a concern, I always come on here and feel much better. You guys really know what you're talking about.

Ok, I'm done, now you boys can resume your pissing match. :)

haha, the pissing match is over now, we got to the troll out after scurrying around in 3 or more threads... well, glad you got all the info you need, if you need anything else, the club is here. just remember that a lot of questions and issues you may have could already be answered so use the wonderful search feature.

also, where are you located? if you're in the norcal, around the bay area, theres a weekly 8 meet. If your in socal, theres i believe a weekly or monthly meet there as well. just some helpful info for you to meet the community face to face. :)

Darnit! I just got the popcorn out of the microwave. Ah well.

I'm in beautiful SoCal baby! In Los Angeles, with all of the beautiful people. :)