Car I just bought died on the way home, what could the problem be?

PerfectFinish1 · 04-01-05, 05:11

Hey everyone,

I just bought a 2000 Chevy Blazer 2dr at an auction this morning to resell. The car is in very dirty condition, quite possibly one of THE worst interiors posted on Autopia. Anyway, I was driving home, and I drove about 5 miles... everything was running perfectly. Smooth acceleration, handling, and decent amount of power. However, the car died right on my street. I was doing about 35, and gave it a bit of gas, and realized that the RPM didn't raise at all, it wouldn't go above idle. (Pressing the pedal did NOTHING). Then, a second later, the car stalled out.

It wouldn't start back up again, until about 5 minutes later. Then, it lasted about 20 seconds before stalling out again. Now it won't even crank over.

My friend checked some fuel pressure release, and there was pleanty of fuel in the car. We also checked, and the engine IS getting spark.

Any idea what can be wrong!? Thanks!

nailzer · 04-01-05, 05:12

Clogged fuel filter? Dead battery?

holland_patrick · 04-01-05, 05:47

I would try to clear the ECU take the Battery + off pump the brakes a few time then place it back on I hope this works..

guapsnaman · 04-01-05, 06:58

Sounds like a distributor to me...

Same thing happened to my '95 Altima. We then got a used one from the junk yard for $40 and that died after a few weeks. So we just settled and paid a lot more for a new one.

15951 · 04-01-05, 07:21

I think a 2000 vehicle would have a distributorless ignition, right?

I know you checked the spark, but I would check the plug wires again, just in case. I'd also check:

- fuel filter
- codes (is the engine in "limp mode"?)
- throttle body

LouisanaJeeper · 04-01-05, 07:23

what engine?

sounds like a bad coil or fuel system problem

PerfectFinish1 · 04-01-05, 07:38

It's the 6 cylinder vortec.... and does have a distributor-less system. My friend and I also reset the ECU, and that didn't change anything. I don't think it's a clogged fuel filter, since the line we checked the fuel from came after the fuel filter... the fuel shot out fine when the key was on the on position.

We're all clueless about what the problem could be... please keep the ideas comming!

Since it was bought from auction, people may have taken something off when looking at the car, hoping that it would start stalling and people wouldn't bid as high. We checked everything we saw, and everything looks in order... but I still have a suspicion that could be part of the problem.

I bought the car for about $3300 after taxes, and should easily be able to sell it for 1200ish profit... minus whatever the cost is to fix this problem

Jung918 · 04-01-05, 08:41

check the maf sensor or the vacuum hoses.

99se5spd · 04-01-05, 10:09

check the battery cables for severe corrosion and the other end of the ground cable. are the drive belts still intact? and does it have an aftermarket keyless entry/alarm if so check the valet switch.

Beercan31 · 04-02-05, 01:27

let me get this straight

it cranks, has fuel and spark but will not start?

is there a check engine light on?
if so what code came up

if there are no codes or check engine light is NOT on check spark plugs for proper gap, maybey the timming belt but need more info, also if it has TBI (throttle body injection) there is a device on the throttle body that acts like a air bleed valve.... I'll explain; when your at an idle this device opens to allow air in to the system behind the throttle body plate to prevent stalling and closes or meters when the throttle is opened, this device is controlled by the computer and will have wires going to it ......some times you can "TAP" this device to get it working again Temporally

Good luck keep us posted
Rich

Setec Astronomy · 04-02-05, 02:06

I'll second the checking of the battery cables. I was having an intermittent stalling problem on my car, racking my brain checking things, thought I had water in my gas, etc. Someone at work who knows nothing about cars asks about my battery or battery cables, to humor him, I check...and one of the cables was loose! I had major A/C service done (new compressor) a few months before and I guess they had disconnected the battery--I never thought to check that since I almost never let anyone touch my car.

zzyyzx · 04-02-05, 03:53

We had similar problems with my wife's 2004 Pilot a few months ago. It would just stall for no reason, and it might start up sometimes and others it wouldn't. But if it started, it would usually run for quite a while. Come to find out, there was something faulty with the Immobilization device in the steering column that senses the key. The dealer had to replace the whole thing. I guess it would just all the sudden short out and decide we didn't have the right key in or something.

Anyway, not sure if a 2000 Blazer has an immobilizer on it, but just wanted to toss my $0.02.