Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Strange one time shutdown

[Dieselnerd]

A couple of days ago, I was preparing to back into my driveway. As soon as I shifted to reverse the engine shut off just like the ignition switch was turned off. My idle is close to 900 rpm so you can scratch that one. It restarted instantly when I turned the key. Using my service manual wiring diagrams I checked all the connections supplying 12 volts to the fuel solenoid. All tight and good. It's not the fuel solenoid relay either, it's only used to pull up the solenoid when starting. If the engine is running you can pull out the fuel solenoid relay and the engine will keep on running. The hold circuit goes through the ignition switch. I proved that to myself by pulling the relay while running the engine and the solenoid stayed up. As far as I can tell, the only thing that could have happened is I have an ignition switch that has a contact going bad. I could not make it fail by pounding, jiggling or wiggling the switch. The only related thing is that I replaced the starter contacts last week but the starter works fine and again, the starter contacts just supply current to pull the solenoid up when you start. Did I miss something?

 

[carson6]

it could be in the colum...

I heard of the steering tilt shorting thing's out... but it has not happened me( yet)good luck

 

[illflem]

Carson is right on. Try tilting the steering wheel up and down while running and see if it shuts down. Some rigs got shorted on ignition wire and it will actually unplug itself.

 

[Dieselnerd]

Thanks guys, I'll give the steering wheel tilt a try. That's something I never thought of...

 

[Dieselnerd]

Tried the steering wheel tilt, full range of motion, at least 30 times, no failure. I guess it will remain a mystery unless it happens again.

 

[Extreme1]

Hi Ron!

A friend of mine had a similar thing start happening. His would die intermittantly while driving down the road. It ended up being the injector pump. He is not a member and he got REEMED for a new "without a warrantee" because they used his fuel plate.

 

[RJ2]

When mine started doing that it was fuel lines .