Lost ignition while driving

[jkichline]

Hey guys,
I just got a 91 SHO in December. It needs a couple things but overall is a pretty nice car. This morning on my way to work, the ignition died like somebody hit the **** switch. I couldn't get it started again for about a half hour. After it started, I drove the rest of the way to work without any problems which is about 18 more miles from where I broke down. This is the only car that I have that doesn't have a cap and rotor so I don't know much about how its supposed to fire. I was thinking that I may have lost fuel pressure which threw a sensor or something. I did get a check engine light when it cut out, but the light turned off when I finally got it started again. I'm going to read the code tonight on the way home from work. A couple days ago, the exact thing happened but I only lost power for less than one second and it fired right back up. It was near the same place I was this morning. It seems like it could be time/temperature related. Last night I drove 200 miles without even a stutter. Any ideas? I'd appreciate it. Thanks!!
-Jason

 

[AREA 91]

Sounds like the crank sensor, or cam sensor. The codes should point you in the right direction. It could be as simple as a bad ground.

 

[wood_e]

Probably your crank sensor. Check your engine trouble codes. Has a 60k been done?

 

[shonutt]

check your codes... that is the only way you will know for sure ... but i would suspect the cam position sensor witch is a relativly cheap part to fix


if you do not know how to read your codes please click on the link below that will fully guide threw the prosess thanks to shophoenixproject

engine code check

 

[bobreimer]

The same thing happened to me about 6 years ago. It happened several times. I was worried about the computer etc. However, I replaced the crank sensor and the cam sensor. The car has been totally reliable ever since.

 

[jkichline]

Yeah a friend of mine also mentioned a crank sensor. Sounds like an easy fix (if that's it). I really appreciate the code reading instructions. That'll be my back up plan if I can't get advance auto parts to read anything.

 

[jkichline]

Probably your crank sensor. Check your engine trouble codes. Has a 60k been done?

Don't know if 60K has been done. Just got the car in Dec with 117000 on it. I plan on going over everything after we thaw out a little here in the Northeast. I got the car from my cousin who got the car from my uncle who bought it from new. If I need history on it, I'll be able to get it. I know my cousin was getting it serviced at Pep Boys so I'll be sure to check things over really well!!

 

[Rockledge]

Reading the codes will help immensely with the diagnosis.

http://www.thorssell.net/hbook/eectest.html

Right now it's still a guessing game, so my guess is the crank sensor (CPS). It may sound like a quick fix, but replacing the CPS actually involves removing a good deal of the front of the motor to gain access to it. That's the reason why most people do more than just replace the CPS when they are in that far (hence the "60K" suggestion).

Here's a couple of sites with some very helpful SHO maintenance information:

http://www.shophoenixproject.com/maint.htm

http://www.shotimes.com/php-bin/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=index&catid=&topic=9

 

[jkichline]

Reading the codes will help immensely with the diagnosis.

http://www.thorssell.net/hbook/eectest.html

Right now it's still a guessing game, so my guess is the crank sensor (CPS). It may sound like a quick fix, but replacing the CPS actually involves removing a good deal of the front of the motor to gain access to it. That's the reason why most people do more than just replace the CPS when they are in that far (hence the "60K" suggestion).

Here's a couple of sites with some very helpful SHO maintenance information:

http://www.shophoenixproject.com/maint.htm

http://www.shotimes.com/php-bin/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=index&catid=&topic=9

I just read through the instructions on how to replace the CPS. Your right... not as easy as I thought. I'm gonna need a permission slip from my wife to spend that kind of time on the car. She'll think I'm just playin around trying to get more HP out of it or something. I'm pretty sure that I've had tougher jobs, though.
Those links have some REALLY GOOD and REALLY helpful information. Thanks alot!!

 

[jkichline]

Diagnostics are in

OK. I just did a diagnostic check. I'm not sure exactly what its telling me but it might be a bad PCM.
The Key on Engine off test:
15 (O) No Keep Alive Memory power to PCM pin1 or bad PCM (Memory test failure)

24 Intake Air Temperature (IAT) or Vane Air Temperature (VAT) sensor out of range

Stored code
14 Engine pickup was erratic - Ignition systems

Key on Engine Running test
21 Engine Coolant temperature (ECT) sensor out of range - ECT

24 Intake Air Temperature (IAT) or Vane Air Temperature (VAT) sensor out of range

77 System did not receive "goose" test - I did goose it but maybe not hard enough

Cylinder Balance test
9 - No problems.

What do you guys think? Seems like there are a lot of codes here to me. The temperature of this car always seems low to me. Could be the reason for those codes. The PCM Memory test failure caught my eye. What code would I get for a bad Crankshaft Position Sensor (CPS)?

 

[jkichline]

Need advice... you guys still think CPS?

 

[Rockledge]

Need advice... you guys still think CPS?

The code 14 - "Ignition profile pickup (PIP) failure" points directly to the CPS.

 

[kickeralpine]

mine died few days ago this was my second time doing 60k. go to rcm to get your parts those guys are good people and cheap fast shipping i dont have the link but someone here will.also do search on the site and there are pics on how to do the job was real helpfull.i had code 14 and it was the cps

 

[jkichline]

I thought that 14 was probably CPS. Thanks...
What about 15, though? That doesn't sound good. I guess it could be a memory overload thing happening.

 

[Rockledge]

Does your SHO have an aftermarket chip installed? I think some chips will throw a code 15...

 

[jkichline]

Does your SHO have an aftermarket chip installed? I think some chips will throw a code 15...

I'm not sure. My cousin told me that he has this thing tuned to about 300HP so I imagine he either reprogrammed the chip or put a new one in. He gave me all the old parts that he had (exhaust, air box, etc.) but there is no chip. I'll have to invite him over for a few beers so I can get the whole story out of him...

 

[SHOdownTN]

Wander if the Air temp sensor is on it. If he put a cold air on he may have not used the sensor back, just a guess.

I would do the CPS. Mine did that crazy stuff till I swapped the control box on top the radiator. I had no codes though..............

 

[jkichline]

I'm probably going to do the 60K this weekend if time allows. I'm going to take you guys's advise and fix this thing up right. Being stuck on the road isn't a whole lot of fun. I'll take any other tips, advice or experiences. I have a few extra bucks to spend but I'm only going to spend to fix up. No extra mods yet...

 

[jkichline]

I read the article on shophoenixproject about how to do the front 60K. I have to say I'm extremely impressed with the amount of detail in the instructions. That guy deserves and award for that .
I'm pretty sure I can handle doing this all myself. I don't think I want to do the front and upper in the same weekend, though. Especially since I didn't even start buying parts yet. How long do you guys think the front 60K should take for a guy who's mechanically inclined (and has most of the right tools)? Are there any words of wisdom?

I'd like to do the upper 60K also but I'm going to wait until spring.

 

[Jaz2099]

Have fun with the CRANK BOLT!!!!!!!