Engine Cut Out - Couple of Questions

pinkteapot

Mk4 52 plate Astra, 1.6l 8V....

Yesterday hubby was at the give way line to a roundabout, went to pull on to the roundabout, and all the warning lights came on and the engine cut out. It wouldn't restart. Green Flag showed up, pushed the car to a safer/less disruptive position, and then the car started normally. Hubby felt like a bit of a muppet at that point but it wouldn't start for him.

Green Flag guy plugged his diagnostic thing into the computer and there were no error codes present. He checked two sensors - cam belt sensor and another one that I've forgotten - that he said could stop the engine and wouldn't leave a code. He checked the connections for these sensors and they were fine and he couldn't find any mechanical faults, so thinks it was a sensor glitch. He said it could happen again a mile down the road or never.

Two questions, the second one probably a stupid one from a girl :

1) Should we get the car checked over at a garage? My view is no - if no error codes are there and the other sensors look fine, they won't find anything either. The car ran fine when hubby continued his journey (for two hours). If it happens again then we'll take it in. Would you be worried by this though?

2) If it were to happen again, it's not a major problem if it does it when standing still, as happened this time. But what if it does it when we're in the outside lane of a motorway?! How do you safely stop a car if the engine cuts out at speed? They just don't teach you this on driving lessons! Or am I being stupid and there's no way the sensor would shut off the engine while the car was moving...

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Check the crank position sensor. They usually go when hot (car cools down, and restarts normally).

pinkteapot

Thanks - that may have been the second one that the guy looked at - I'll check the Green Flag breakdown report tonight.

If that sensor glitched again and stopped the engine, is there any chance it could happen at speed? That's my main worry.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Yes.


!!!!!!, stupid 10 character minimum.

pinkteapot

:eek:

Have booked him in for diagnostics. I doubt they'll find anything but they have better equipment than the Green Flag guy and I know the family that run the garage so I trust them.

Stigy

If it happens at speed in the outside lane of a motorway, which I would imagine isn't as likely as when you're stationary and about to pull out of a junction, don't panic, simple indicate to the left and make your way to the hard shoulder. It might be easier said than done, depending on traffic and road conditions, but you really don't want to be stuck in any live lane of any Motorway if you can help it!

pinkteapot

But I didn't think the indicators worked with the engine off? I know hazards do...

I honestly wouldn't know what to do if the engine cut out completely while driving at speed. Does the footbrake work without the engine running? I imagine the steering gets really heavy as the power steering would be gone (?).

I would always try and get to the hard shoulder (once when I was a kid our car broke down in the outside lane of the M25 which was fun) - just not sure how/if I could with no engine running!

Hubby had very little warning - all the warning lights came on at once and within a few seconds the engine stopped.

pwllbwdr

Indicators etc work if the ignition is still switched on.

Depending on the system you might get a couple of brake operations before the servo assistance goes. After that you still have brakes but you will have to shove the pedal far more.

Steering - depends on the system. Some are belt driven pumps, others electric. All will still steer without the engine running, but expect to require arms like Popeye.

Stigy

pinkteapot wrote: »

But I didn't think the indicators worked with the engine off? I know hazards do...

I honestly wouldn't know what to do if the engine cut out completely while driving at speed. Does the footbrake work without the engine running? I imagine the steering gets really heavy as the power steering would be gone (?).

I would always try and get to the hard shoulder (once when I was a kid our car broke down in the outside lane of the M25 which was fun) - just not sure how/if I could with no engine running!

Hubby had very little warning - all the warning lights came on at once and within a few seconds the engine stopped.

As has been said, indicators will work okay, although after making your intentions known to other road users, it might be worth while just sticking the hazards on anyway (I'd wait until you start to move over, then probably switch them on, at least that way others know you have problems.).

You'll have a couple of pumps of the brake pedal before you lose servo assistance, and this will be enough to stop you safely on the Hard Shoulder. Worst case scenario, even losing the assistance you'll stop ok, it'll just take a bit more pressure from you! Steering will go heavy, although judging by the steering you'll be doing it shouldn't matter.

skiddlydiddly

Check your battery leads are clean and tight.Have had it happen to me a couple of times where the earth has come loose and the power cut instantly.