HELP!!! Car completely and suddenly dies while driving!

[GToddyT5]

This problem is really pissing me off. I'm driving along and the car doesn't sputter or anything, it just completely dies. Then I turn the ignition to off, hit my unlock button on my alarm and it starts right back up. This happens while it's in gear, so I can't just kick it back on by engaging the clutch. What could the problem be? It does this repeatedly. It never happens at idle.

I'm not sure of the alarm brand. I also have an MSD 6AL, MSD coil, Ford wires (2 mos old), new cap, rotor, plugs.

 

[mo_dingo]

What does your alarm disable? Ignition or the starter, or what?

 

[GToddyT5]

I have no idea.

 

[Kornnut]

Sounds like something in the alarm is creating a ground and killing the car out.

 

[GToddyT5]

About a month ago, two of the grounds came off and I put on new connectors. Should there be two???

 

[Chythar]

This happened to me earlier this year. Check the CCRM - if it's bad, it'll suddenly kill all power to the engine. Here's my old post - http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=599801&highlight=engine+turns

 

[HISSIN50]

Do you have to hit the unlock button for it to restart?
Does the alarm arm passively?

 

[GToddyT5]

How do I check for this?

 

[GToddyT5]

Do you have to hit the unlock button for it to restart?
Does the alarm arm passively?

Yes/Yes, I think so.

 

[HISSIN50]

How do I check for this?

If this was directed at me:

I assume we're talkin about an aftermarket alarm here. If not, slap me.

I have no idea how you figured out that you need to hit the unlock button on your fob to make the car restart. Is it necessary, or just part of a pre at-bat ritual (you do it for luck. LOL)?

The passive thing:

If your alarm will arm itself 30 seconds or a minute after you shut the last door (and you need not hit any buttons on the fob), that indicates a passive arming. It seems to me that this coupled with a bad connection to the ignition (where the brain thinks you shut the car off because the alarm's ignition-sense wire loses continuity) could cause the alarm to think you shut the car off and it arms itself automatically.

If an installer did an ignition kill rather than starter kill (this is why installers often WONT do an ignition or fuel kill), then it could kill the car.

This is all rather obscure but it did occur to me, and I thought you might be able to rule it out real quickly. It's likely not worth pursuing otherwise (though the need to hit the unlock button still bothers me).

Good luck.

 

[GToddyT5]

No, that wasn't directed at you...I shoulda hit the quote button. That was about the CCRM.

But nonetheless, if I don't hit the button again, the car will not start. Hit the button...it starts right up fine.

As far as the passive arming...I do hit a button when I leave the car. It beeps twice and locks the doors.

I wish I knew what brand alarm this was. I tried looking under the dash, but the box just says "sensor" and that's it.

 

[m0l0]

No, that wasn't directed at you...I shoulda hit the quote button. That was about the CCRM.

But nonetheless, if I don't hit the button again, the car will not start. Hit the button...it starts right up fine.

As far as the passive arming...I do hit a button when I leave the car. It beeps twice and locks the doors.

I wish I knew what brand alarm this was. I tried looking under the dash, but the box just says "sensor" and that's it.

I think the problem could be between the alarm or the PIP sensor, i would first check if your alarm is not making that, otherwise i would say that is the PIP been there done that, and is like new

 

[meansn95]

i had a similar problem i had to engage the clutch hit the alarm button by the hood unlocker n turn the key.......it ended up being the alarm it wazz craken my car out u should take it to an electrician n have him take a look ....ended spending about 2 bills he tore the alarm system out n did a few other things good luck

 

[Danman765432]

maybe something with a kill switch? that happened to be before, some wires were lose and it would just die suddenly, normally i could start it back up but one day it just stopped and didnt start again.

 

[GToddyT5]

I should also mention that sometimes, it does not completely die. This seems to happen when I'm just cruising, usually on the highway. It will stutter for a second, the CE light will go on for a moment and then it will go back to normal.

 

[donkey_punch]

I should also mention that sometimes, it does not completely die. This seems to happen when I'm just cruising, usually on the highway. It will stutter for a second, the CE light will go on for a moment and then it will go back to normal.

seems to point towards a PIP or ignition module issue. anyone else thinking the same thing?

 

[GToddyT5]

I plan on pulling the codes and possibly trying another TFI module this weekend. I know someone with a V6, is the module the same?

 

[Danman765432]

also check your hot alternator wire...the one that goes from the back of the alternator over to the fuse box...when that comes loose on my car...i have the same thing happen

 

[GToddyT5]

I got a new TFI module today...it didn't cure the problem.

 

[HISSIN50]

No need to guess. What was the code?

Good luck.