OK, I was driving on the highway and the car starts sputtering, the check engine light and oil light goes on, and i am no longer able to excelerate. I pull over to the side of the road and it's also harder to brake. I shut the car off and turn it back on, and it smells really bad...almost like a sulfur smell. I turn the car off and call AAA and they tow it. I checked the oil, and even though I have 1,000 miles before I need to change the oil again, it is low. I know this doesn't give real specifics to anyone, but that is what happened and I'm wondering if anyone can make an educated guess as to what might have happened. TIA guys.

steve

Fried altenator?

Originally posted by DJ420a
Fried altenator?

OOOoooOOh! Good guess mang. :thumbsup That would be my call. I've had two cars where the alternator has died on me while driving. Remember, the car doesn't run off the battery, just the alternator. (Well, until the alternator starts fading, then I would imagine the car begins to supplement the alternator by feeding on the battery.) When it starts to go, all your lights will dim (if it's night time) and the charging system won't be able to up the juice to the plugs for acceleration. Eventually, the car just grinds to a halt and sit there on the side of the road waiting for the tow truck to come wondering, "What the fuck just happened?"

Good luck man. Hope this is all it is. :thumbsup

Sounds like it stalled while driving. Could be fuel, or power related. See if you have fuel pressure first, then check and see if the battery is good, and if the alternator is charging it.

Beyond that, it gets complicated.

wouldn't be a clogged cat would it? that smell is similar to what the smell like when they start acting up.

Those lights(ck eng, oil) come on anytime the key is in the run position and the engine is not running...So if those lights werent dim I'd say its possibly the fuel pump.


Star Stage II,Vecco SS heatshield,OBX intake,OBX fuelrail,MSD coil & wires,Epac voltage sys.,Hyperground sys.,Eagle rods,JE pistons,ARP studs,meling oil pump(Ceramic coated DP,wastegate tube,Manifold & turbo housing)

Originally posted by 96NTeclipse
wouldn't be a clogged cat would it? that smell is similar to what the smell like when they start acting up.

That was my first thought. Failed cat will smell like sulphur or rotten eggs.


Terry

OK, the shop said they ran a diagnostic and found nothing wrong. My mechanic said its a miracle my engine didn't fry because there was no oil in it whatsoever, even though I had 1k miles until my next change was due. He thinks it was due to a bad oil change last time where the place either didn't put any oil in, or did it very wrong. They found no leaks and no problems. They put oil in it and it started fine, I picked it up and *knocks on wood* its running fine. Definitely strange, but I'm thanking God that He heard my prayers and I hope it was just a little problem that didn't get any bigger and is now solved. As always, I appreciate the help guys. Any thoughts/comments/suggestions to look out for?

steve

Thats great, I'm glad it's alright but I'd keep tabs on the oil level along with the other fliuds for a couple of weeks just to be on the safe side! Also listen for knocks>hardley any oil?Damn!You got lucky!LOL


Star Stage II,Vecco SS heatshield,OBX intake,OBX fuelrail,MSD coil & wires,Epac voltage sys.,Hyperground sys.,Eagle rods,JE pistons,ARP studs,meling oil pump(Ceramic coated DP,wastegate tube,Manifold & turbo housing)

Yeah I'll say! I'm definitely going to keep check on the levels of oil and fluids in the car, I hope it was just a bad oil filter or something stupid. Miracles do happen :)

steve