Shutting Off

["Al Powell" <APOWELL@agcom.tamu.edu>]

> From: savidesn@audvid.win.net (Darin Nederhoff)
>  REPLY TO: llavalle@atcon.com (lavallee)
> 
> Regarding the car just 'shutting down while highway driving' -- when
> it happens I'm cruising and it happens without warning. It happened
> about 4 or 5 times while driving home last evening (highway driving
> for about 80km; my speed was between 100 and 120km/hr). Arriving home
> I turned of the motor and the only power available to me when the key
> was turned on again was the ability to close windows and sun roof.
> This morning (crossing my fingers) it started without hesitation. I
> will follow the lead of your suggestions, and any other, until this
> most annoying problem is resolved.   

This is a guess - but the "won't start" situation you mention sounds 
a lot like what my 1990 200 does when the theft alarm is activated - 
it deactivates the starter.  I haven't tried the sunroof or windows 
during this situation, because I'm too busy jumping out to get the 
key back in the door and stop the d**n horn and lights which are 
going crazy.

However - if you have a factory alarm in that car, it might be worth 
having a look at it.  Maybe you have a malfunction in which the 
system is triggering partway - but not the lights and horn????  If 
you do have an alarm, does it work properly as per your owner's 
manual??

Whatever it is, it is clearly electrical.  The three factors in 
making "vroom" are gas, air and spark.  Neither gas nor air problems 
would create the situation you describe.

Al Powell                           Voice:  409/845-2807
107 Reed McDonald Bldg.             Fax:    409/862-1202
College Station, TX 77843           Email:  a-powell1@tamu.edu 
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"Baseball is 90 percent mental.  The other half is physical"...
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