Car Died...Help?

[Mark in Hermosa]

Thanks in advance for any input.

I spent the weekend at Willow Springs trying to get some track time. It was a great weekend on the track, but I have some problems and can't figure it out.

During my last run, my car started cutting out at full throttle. It was a slight blip. I pulled in and it seemed fine. However, earlier in the day, at idle, it was hunting to stabilize for a bit. I went out again and it cut briefly. I decided to pack up.

While driving home, the car started to cut out and died. I changed the DME relay, thinking that was the problem. It died again soon after and wouldn't start. The car turns over and over, but no luck.

So, my thoughts were

1) the engine was robbed of oil. I was thinking this because, while changing my track muffler back to my street muffler, I noticed that the oil line on the car near the jack point was pinched. My tires had to be swapped and it looks like the local shop didn't jack it properly, resulting in a pinched line (that sucked, by the way). The oil was a little low, but not bad. Of course, I couldn't check it properly after the engine died, so I am not sure how low it is now. Before the last run, it was at 1/4.

2) The DME keeps failing. Reason? No idea.
3) Fuel filter clogged.

Has anyone had this happen before? What was the culprit? Any ideas?

[911]

Mark,

Did your altenator light ever come on? I had a similar experience to yours and my problem was the alternator.

Rich

[Mark in Hermosa]

Rich:

It did not. However, the alternator was replaced a bit ago (by the PO, a friend of mine). I guess that is a place to start.

I was certainly hoping that I had two bad DME's in a row...

[scottb]

Your symptoms sound like an alternator, but you also say the car turns over. I'd start by putting a voltmeter on the battery. If it reads low, then you've more than likely got a bad alternator. If it's up around 13 volts, then the alternator is probably OK.

Let us know what you find.

[Superman]

It does not sounds like an alternator/battery/charging problem to me. It also does not sound like engine failure due to insufficient oil pressure.

I know that's not much help, and I don't know much about Carrera diagnostics. Fuel pump, maybe. Perhaps just an electrical connection that's not doing its job.

[Jeff]

Mark, It may be your Cylinder Head Temp Sensor. My car would cut out and try to die. I checked my sensor and it was the old one wire type. Changed it and all has been well. (If you have the two wire sensor make sure resistance between the two prongs is 1.4-3.6 Ohms at 60-85 degrees F)
If that checks out OK I would look at the O2 sensor or catalytic converter.

[Mark in Hermosa]

Thanks all. Consensus is the temp sensor. I will find out later this week as work keeps getting in the way of fun.

Jeff:

I know it's not the o2 sensor or cat as those are collecting dust in my garage.

[ChrisBennet]

I vote for head temp sensor also.
I had this happen to me just last week. I was on the track and felt it cut out a couple of times. I came in, pulled out my trusty cold/warm/hot resistors to fool the DME and determined it was the head temp sensor. Upon further investigation it turned out to be the new female connector I'd installed. (Typical female ). An internal "pin receiver" had pushed back into the connector so the male pin couldn't reach it. I felt prit-tee clever when I determined it the head temp sensor so fast. Then I felt prir-tee stupid when I discovered I had caused the problem in the first place when I replaced the connector
-Chris
"Why yes, I do know how to spell "pretty". Why do you ask?"