Engine cut off twice while cruising - 1995 90 Q
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Engine cut off twice while cruising - 1995 90 Q
The car is a completely stock 1995 90 Q (12v), which I've driven for about 5,000 miles. It has 84K now. I've replaced the timing belt, water pump, tensioner (about 4K ago), and a few minor things.
I started the car two days ago and got into 3rd gear, going maybe 30 mph when I heard a fairly loud scraping noise for about 2 seconds. Immediatley after the noise, the engine cut off while I was still coasting. I did not notice that the rpm's went up or down, or that the car seemed to sputter or struggle for air/fuel, it just seemed to cut off as if I'd turned the key off. I restarted it successfully on the first try, and it performed normally for a few miles. A similar incident occurred about 3 weeks ago, except that I was going about 15 mph, and there was no scraping noise.
I have experienced no other mechanical problems with this car. Thank you very much for any help.
Nick
I started the car two days ago and got into 3rd gear, going maybe 30 mph when I heard a fairly loud scraping noise for about 2 seconds. Immediatley after the noise, the engine cut off while I was still coasting. I did not notice that the rpm's went up or down, or that the car seemed to sputter or struggle for air/fuel, it just seemed to cut off as if I'd turned the key off. I restarted it successfully on the first try, and it performed normally for a few miles. A similar incident occurred about 3 weeks ago, except that I was going about 15 mph, and there was no scraping noise.
I have experienced no other mechanical problems with this car. Thank you very much for any help.
Nick
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Ignition switch?.....
I had a VW that didn't always return fully from the start position and would then randomly die on the highway when the key vibrated to just the right position where it opened the circuit. My coupe gets stuck between 'on' and 'start' once every couple hundred starts and some accessories won't work until I move the key fully back to the 'on' position. If it bumped the starter motor while you were running that could be the scraping noise.
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Re: Engine cut off twice while cruising - 1995 90 Q
did you upgrade the tensioner to the "new" set up? also, check your fuel pump relay which may be going out....the grating sound and engine cut off may be coincedental.
heck, what do I know?
heck, what do I know?
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Re: Engine cut off twice while cruising - 1995 90 Q
Thanks very much guys.
I visually checked the cats, they seem to be fine, and I tapped them to see if there was any rattling, I didn't notice anything unordinary.
I also fooled around with the key to see how much force it'd take to turn it, and it doesn't seem realistic, especially because I had only driven the car a couple hundred yards before it happened . I also noticed that the dash lights (CEL, Oil, etc.) did not come on after I turned the key manually, while they came on immediatley after the car shut off on its own.
Surfcity - The car does have the "new" tensioner setup. It always had it, so I just put the new tensioner in there. I will try to check the relay tomorrow.
I should also mention that the engine has the lifter noise that is common of this engine (so I've read). You can hear it all the time, and it is loud. I put Mobile High Mileage 5W 30 in 3k miles ago, and am located in Massachusetts. Whether this is related or not, I don't know, but if anyone has some input on this I'd appreciate it. I haven't been worrying because it seems to be common, but maybe I should.
Until all this is solved, I'll be riding the moped (1981 Batavus Mondial) around town. Thank you all again, I really appreciate your help.
I visually checked the cats, they seem to be fine, and I tapped them to see if there was any rattling, I didn't notice anything unordinary.
I also fooled around with the key to see how much force it'd take to turn it, and it doesn't seem realistic, especially because I had only driven the car a couple hundred yards before it happened . I also noticed that the dash lights (CEL, Oil, etc.) did not come on after I turned the key manually, while they came on immediatley after the car shut off on its own.
Surfcity - The car does have the "new" tensioner setup. It always had it, so I just put the new tensioner in there. I will try to check the relay tomorrow.
I should also mention that the engine has the lifter noise that is common of this engine (so I've read). You can hear it all the time, and it is loud. I put Mobile High Mileage 5W 30 in 3k miles ago, and am located in Massachusetts. Whether this is related or not, I don't know, but if anyone has some input on this I'd appreciate it. I haven't been worrying because it seems to be common, but maybe I should.
Until all this is solved, I'll be riding the moped (1981 Batavus Mondial) around town. Thank you all again, I really appreciate your help.
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