Car suddenly dies...why?

Anonymous-0 · Jan 8, 2014

My friend was on his way home Sunday night in central Iowa(temps were below zero) when his car suddenly died on the highway. When he attempted to restart it the lights and panel came on but nothing was happening to the starter. He just told me about it and I was wondering what could possibly have gone wrong. He isn't mechanically inclined and I am inexperienced with car mechanics, just tractors. My only guess would be the solenoid, but I could be way off. Any guesses? I may not be providing enough clues to troubleshoot the problem, but this is all I know.

Royse · Jan 8, 2014

Solenoid may make it not start, but won't make it die.
At least not without other complications.
What make/model/year of vehicle?

old · Jan 8, 2014

Very hard to say with out more info. Make and Model of car will help.
Had a 1990 Geo Tracker that did that one time. Believed it was the computer because it was blowing ignition fuses but ended up being a shorter out wire going to the distributor. Could be as simple as a fuse or loose wire etc.

Frank A · Jan 8, 2014

Like Old said it could be anything. On a newer cars I"ve seen the chip on the key go bad and cause a similar problem.

Anonymous-0 · Jan 8, 2014

I'll try to get more info tomorrow.

Hobo,NC · Jan 8, 2014

Pretend its a tractor...

huntingreen2day2 · Jan 8, 2014

Battery bad or possibly bad ground.

El Toro · Jan 9, 2014

The alternator may have quit charging. Hal

Anonymous-0 · Jan 9, 2014

Engine seized?

El Toro · Jan 9, 2014

Install another fully charged battery and see if the engine will start. If it starts use a volt meter to measure the charging voltage across the battery terminals. Should see 14.5 volts. If it's only 12 volts your alternator isn't charging.
Hal

showcrop · Jan 9, 2014

I nearly had that happen to me twice in six months. First time it was the battery and second it was the alternator. I don't remember why, but both times I checked the voltmeter and saw that it was low, and was able to make it to a repair shop before it went completely dead.

IH2444 · Jan 9, 2014

Yep I figure this to be the most likely cause.

4xMF · Jan 9, 2014

Did he drive right under a UFO?

T in NE · Jan 9, 2014

Boss has a tracker that once you shut it off, the chime won't quit til you pull the key out of the ignition. Ever run into that?

showcrop · Jan 10, 2014

(quoted from post at 22:26:03 01/09/14) Boss has a tracker that once you shut it off, the chime won't quit til you pull the key out of the ignition. Ever run into that?

Even after he closes the door?

mkirsch · Jan 10, 2014

A weak battery will cause the instruments to light up, but no start, on a modern computerized car.

It would be nice if the car told you that. Threw a code or something. Nope, everything looks fine, no codes, no idiot lights, yet the battery is too dead to start the car, and the car's computer isn't letting you try.

old · Jan 10, 2014

No but have seen it happen due to a faulty door switch or a door not closed tight

showcrop · Jan 10, 2014

(quoted from post at 09:07:26 01/10/14) No but have seen it happen due to a faulty door switch or a door not closed tight

That sounds pretty unusual.

old · Jan 10, 2014

The 1997 Geo tracker we have right now once in a while you do not get one door closed tight and the light stays on and you do not see it till dark so not uncommon to have trouble with the door closing tight

Car suddenly dies...why?

Anonymous-0

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Royse

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old

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Frank A

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Hobo,NC

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huntingreen2day2

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El Toro

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old

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