YACT: Car stalled(?) on highway *UPDATE*

hx009

Senior member
Nov 26, 1999
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Car experts of ATOT I beg your help.... So I was driving home on the highway today when things went south fast. At first, out of the corner of my eye I noticed a dashboard light of some kind flicker on then off VERY fast. It did it once, then again after 15 seconds, then one more time 20-30 seconds later, and then stopped. I thought "hmm, that's odd". I think it was the "change oil" light, but it was dark out and flicking so fast, and I was on the highway so I couldn't stare at my dash. Anyways, shortly thereafter for seemingly no reason WHAM... I lost my engine/accellerator, power steering, the dash guage lights went out, the headlights/taillights went out, but the radio kept playing (wtf?). I also still had brakes. Luckily, I managed to swing over to the shoulder and turn the car off. I waited a few minutes, turned it back on, and then drove home with no further events. The car is a 1999 Olds Intrigue with 104,000 miles on it. It's had all of the usual upkeep on it (oil changes, tire changes, new brakes). Last week I took the car to the dealer to get transmission fluid changed, oil changed, and repair a defective power window motor. Could the dealer have touched a system that would've caused this? Any input would be appreciated because I'm pretty freaked out.

cliff notes:
driving on highway my '99 Olds Intrigue died (accellerator, power steering, all lights went out), but radio and brakes kept working.
 

TrueBlueLS

Platinum Member
Jul 13, 2001
2,931
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If the radio still works, I don't think it's electrical. Did you remember to check your gas gauge?
 

hx009

Senior member
Nov 26, 1999
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Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
Originally posted by: TheGoodGuy
go get a obd'2 check at autozone

Also check your battery connections and make sure they arent corroded.

I know they're not corroded. They almost look new. I suppose they could be loose if the dealership screwed up though?
 

hx009

Senior member
Nov 26, 1999
989
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Originally posted by: TrueBlueLS
If the radio still works, I don't think it's electrical. Did you remember to check your gas gauge?

Yup, I had/have a quarter tank of gas left.
 

hx009

Senior member
Nov 26, 1999
989
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Originally posted by: TrueBlueLS
You'd notice the loss of coolant if it was the water pump. Which motor is in it?

I believe it's a 3.8 liter?

Just checked.... 3.8L V6
 

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
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I suppose they could be loose if the dealership screwed up though?

Why, did they just install the battery? Was that VERY recently, because the old one was dead? Could it be the alternator was at fault, and not the battery? Wild guesses here, but I got nothin' to lose! :p
 

hx009

Senior member
Nov 26, 1999
989
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Originally posted by: Ornery
I suppose they could be loose if the dealership screwed up though?

Why, did they just install the battery? Was that VERY recently, because the old one was dead? Could it be the alternator was at fault, and not the battery? Wild guesses here, but I got nothin' to lose! :p

The battery was installed new 6 months ago. And when they had my driver side door torn apart (last week) and were doing diagnostics on my power locks and power window... who knows? They very well could have disconnected it. See? I can wildly guess too :) Only I have lots of money to lose...
 

zoiks

Lifer
Jan 13, 2000
11,787
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Same thing happened with my Nissan 200sx. I just couldnt figure out what was wrong with it. The engine would cut out without any reason. It could happen once a month or twice a day and it drove me nuts.
Took it to at least 10 mechanics but with an intermittent problem, they had no clue.
Ending up junking it.
 

hx009

Senior member
Nov 26, 1999
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Originally posted by: zoiks
Same thing happened with my Nissan 200sx. I just couldnt figure out what was wrong with it. The engine would cut out without any reason. It could happen once a month or twice a day and it drove me nuts.
Took it to at least 10 mechanics but with an intermittent problem, they had no clue.
Ending up junking it.

Heh, that's not very encouraging.
 

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
Yep, till there's not enough battery left to run the car.

Charge it (wait, how did you get it home? :confused: ), check voltage at battery (should be about 12VDC), start it (if it will start), while it's running, check voltage at battery (should be about 14VDC). If it's no more than the same voltage, as when it's not running, then the alternator is gone. BTW, your radio can run on MUCH less power than your engine would require.
 

hx009

Senior member
Nov 26, 1999
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Originally posted by: Ornery
wait, how did you get it home?

Originally posted by: hx009
Luckily, I managed to swing over to the shoulder and turn the car off. I waited a few minutes, turned it back on, and then drove home with no further events.
 

tfinch2

Lifer
Feb 3, 2004
22,114
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It's a 3.8 V6...there is no timing belt. There is a timing chain though. More than likely when your gauges go all wacky and the car dies it's the ignition control module, but the car would not start back up. It would be totally dead. I would get a code scanner like someone in the thread has already suggested...
 

hx009

Senior member
Nov 26, 1999
989
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Originally posted by: tfinch2
It's a 3.8 V6...there is no timing belt. There is a timing chain though. More than likely when your gauges go all wacky and the car dies it's the ignition control module, but the car would not start back up. It would be totally dead. I would get a code scanner like someone in the thread has already suggested...

Yah, I think I'm going to head up to Auto Zone and get that done tommorrow (assuming my car starts). Anyone know what they charge?