Car Died

[indaville]

Yesterday as I was pulling into a parking lot my car went dead. I pulled over and it started right up and for the rest of the day I did not have any other problems. What could have caused this? Should I be concerned? I have noticed that the car is harder to start when the engine is warm, I do not know if this is related?

Thanks! Matt

[gmendoza]

Were you running the car at high rpms a few secs. before it died?

[indaville]

Were you running the car at high rpms a few secs. before it died?

No just driving normal. The car had been parked for about 45 minutes and I had been driving it for about 5 minutes.

[2003 V8 TT]

Were you running the car at high rpms a few secs. before it died?

This has happened to me...what gives?

[Zhastaph]

No just driving normal. The car had been parked for about 45 minutes and I had been driving it for about 5 minutes.

Mine used to do that.

In that if the car was left for a period of time {like an hour or 2 at the most} then often when i started her and drove her down the road I'd get to a junction and it would just stall.

I seem to remember someone {Karmavore?} asking me if I had a water leak to which I replied yes a small one at the front of the engine. I sorted that a v. long time ago, whether it's connected or not I cannot be sure but it hasn't cut out on me like that in longer than i can remember.

[indaville]

OK car did it to me three more times today. It seems to be happening when I am slowing down and I have the air conditioner on full blast. It is 95 dgrees today with a heat index of 101. When I got home the fans in the car ran for about 10 minutes, first time this has happened. I watched the water temperature today, it got close to 100 but never over.

What is going on????!!!

Help!!!

[2003 V8 TT]

OK car did it to me three more times today. It seems to be happening when I am slowing down and I have the air conditioner on full blast. It is 95 dgrees today with a heat index of 101. When I got home the fans in the car ran for about 10 minutes, first time this has happened. I watched the water temperature today, it got close to 100 but never over.

What is going on????!!!

Help!!!

The car fans running, even after you shut your car off, is normal on the newer Esprits. There's an electric water pump, located just behind and under the driver's side firewall (bulkhead) that continues coolant circulation along with the front fans running until allowable temperature is achieved.

I've been running the car hot with the A/C on full blast as well, and the water temperature does approach 100...but never over, so that's normal.

Your car stalling, however, is something you should run a check on with a scanner or via your local dealer. Are you getting a check engine light or any other warning lights?

[indaville]

Your car stalling, however, is something you should run a check on with a scanner or via your local dealer. Are you getting a check engine light or any other warning lights?

No check engine light or any other warnings. The closest dealer is 3 hours away, what options do I have? The car really does not seem to like the air conditioning running.

Thanks for all your help!!!

[gmendoza]

This has happened to me...what gives?

I don't know, mine has done that twice.

No check engine light or any other warnings. The closest dealer is 3 hours away, what options do I have? The car really does not seem to like the air conditioning running.

Thanks for all your help!!!

It is possible that your IAC (idle air control) valve may be on it's way out. Not too difficult to replace.

Do either of you have an aftermarket ECU?

[indaville]

I don't know, mine has done that twice.

It is possible that your IAC (idle air control) valve may be on it's way out. Not too difficult to replace.

Do either of you have an aftermarket ECU?

How would I know if the IAC needs to be replaced, is there anyway to check it? I do not have an aftermarket ECU.

Thanks!!!!

[2003 V8 TT]

My car is bone stock, including the ECU. And mine did die on a hot day with the A/C fully cranked, *and* after a high rpm run. This has happened only once so far (knock on wood).

[gmendoza]

Matt, if your car dies when coming to an idle and the starts back up and starts/drives/idles fine, then I would look dirty/bad IAC. You may be able to clean it with throttle body cleaner see if that makes it better. Although I have not had good results with cleaning IAC's. Cleaning the throttle body may help too.

Will, I noticed that when I first got the car, it would die occasionally when coming to an idle after spending time at higher RPMs. Now the car has 7k miles and I've driven it under those conditions more often. Now that dieing has been reduced to an almost non-existant hunt for idle for a few secs. So this leads me to believe that since this happens under conditions that aren't usually seen, the ECU needs time to adjust/learn parameters. Especially since it does it less with the more I drive it.

[indaville]

Matt, if your car dies when coming to an idle and the starts back up and starts/drives/idles fine, then I would look dirty/bad IAC. You may be able to clean it with throttle body cleaner see if that makes it better. Although I have not had good results with cleaning IAC's. Cleaning the throttle body may help too.

Thanks!! Where can I find the IAC?

[glynherron]

Thanks!! Where can I find the IAC?

Here!!

[Feffman]

Matt:

It may be you IAC, but to save you some hard work try resetting the ECU and "training" it. Turn off all the electrical equipment on the Esprit. Disconnect the battery cable overnight. In the morning leave all the electrical stuff off, reconnect the battery cable and start the car. Let it idle until the cooling fans cycle ON and OFF two(2) times. After they cycle two times, flip ALL the electrical equipment (head lights, fog lights, AC, radio) on and let the car idle for about 5 minutes. Then go for a nice long drive (30 - 60 minutes) and see if that doesn't cure the problem.

Replacing the IAC is no picnic.

Feff

[indaville]

Matt:

It may be you IAC, but to save you some hard work try resetting the ECU and "training" it.

Replacing the IAC is no picnic.

Feff

Guys thanks for all of your help, this forum is great!

I will try the ECU idea, if that does not work I guess the only other option is the IAC. Does the IAC need to be replaced or just cleaned?

Also, if I have to tackle the IAC what other work should I do while I am at it? My car is 2001 with 9,700 miles on it, all scheduled maintenace has been done so far.

Thanks, Matt!!!

[Feffman]

Matt:

If it's the IAC, plan on getting a new one (Jeff Robinosn at JAE www.JAEParts.com) and since you are in there, install new spark plug wires.

Feff

[fmxa]

If you're going to the trouble of pulling the plenum just replace the IACV. I've seen folks clean them and two weeks later the same issue is back and off comes the plenum again.

[2003 V8 TT]

Matt, if your car dies when coming to an idle and the starts back up and starts/drives/idles fine, then I would look dirty/bad IAC. You may be able to clean it with throttle body cleaner see if that makes it better. Although I have not had good results with cleaning IAC's. Cleaning the throttle body may help too.

Will, I noticed that when I first got the car, it would die occasionally when coming to an idle after spending time at higher RPMs. Now the car has 7k miles and I've driven it under those conditions more often. Now that dieing has been reduced to an almost non-existant hunt for idle for a few secs. So this leads me to believe that since this happens under conditions that aren't usually seen, the ECU needs time to adjust/learn parameters. Especially since it does it less with the more I drive it.

Thanks, Gonzalo!

[indaville]

Matt:

It may be you IAC, but to save you some hard work try resetting the ECU and "training" it. Turn off all the electrical equipment on the Esprit. Disconnect the battery cable overnight. In the morning leave all the electrical stuff off, reconnect the battery cable and start the car. Let it idle until the cooling fans cycle ON and OFF two(2) times. After they cycle two times, flip ALL the electrical equipment (head lights, fog lights, AC, radio) on and let the car idle for about 5 minutes. Then go for a nice long drive (30 - 60 minutes) and see if that doesn't cure the problem.

Replacing the IAC is no picnic.

Feff

Ok I tried resetting the ECU today and the car seemed to run better than before, but when I turned on the AC it died again when I was slowing to a stop.

Feff, do these directions have to be followed exactly in order for this fix to work? Several people have told me to disconnect the battery for about 15 minutes then reconnect it and drive. I did that but should I try your directions before I try to get to the IAC?

Thanks!!!

[jetfixr123]

Matt,

FYI, My 2002 is doing the same thing as well, I too suspect the IAC. I am pulling my plenum as I am frustrated in my search for a factory scan tool.

Also, I have a check engine light.......Not cool!

Ian

Ok I tried resetting the ECU today and the car seemed to run better than before, but when I turned on the AC it died again when I was slowing to a stop.

Feff, do these directions have to be followed exactly in order for this fix to work? Several people have told me to disconnect the battery for about 15 minutes then reconnect it and drive. I did that but should I try your directions before I try to get to the IAC?

Thanks!!!

[fmxa]

Check out http://www.obd-2.com/index.html not the best website but I hear good things about the software, I'm planning on picking a copy up soon.

Paul

Matt,

FYI, My 2002 is doing the same thing as well, I too suspect the IAC. I am pulling my plenum as I am frustrated in my search for a factory scan tool.

Also, I have a check engine light.......Not cool!

Ian

[indaville]

Matt:

It may be you IAC, but to save you some hard work try resetting the ECU and "training" it. Turn off all the electrical equipment on the Esprit. Disconnect the battery cable overnight. In the morning leave all the electrical stuff off, reconnect the battery cable and start the car. Let it idle until the cooling fans cycle ON and OFF two(2) times. After they cycle two times, flip ALL the electrical equipment (head lights, fog lights, AC, radio) on and let the car idle for about 5 minutes. Then go for a nice long drive (30 - 60 minutes) and see if that doesn't cure the problem.

Replacing the IAC is no picnic.

Feff

Thanks to everyone for their help! I followed the advice from Feffman and the problem seems to be fixed. This forum is great, I do not know what I would have done had I not come here first!!

Matt

[paulwebber]

Your coils are breaking down it is the same that happened to me you need to change it to fix problem sorry to tell you bad news well worth doing though