So hop in my truck to head to work...crank it over, starter turns but wont start...finally got it to start after letting it sit for about 2-3 min..get out of the driveway and up the hill a bit of the way, then it dies..just like someone turns off the key...for the past week or so I could be driving around and it will just die like someone reached over and turned off the key..but its always fired right back up no problems (other then dieing in the first place) i was planning on doing plugs, wires, cap, and rotor this weekend, but might hold off and get this fixed...anyclue where to start?

Thanks for the help in advance!

Edit; I can hear the fuel pump kicking on, so I know its atleast getting power

 

maybe now is a good time for those plugs, wires, and cap

 

this is going to sound nuts...

what year is your truck?

Trucks w/ 'chipped' keys are tricky.. and a pain in the ****.. If you use the extra key (the one not chipped) to start them, they will die after a few minutes just as your describing.. If you do it too many times they simply won't start- and you'll have to get a stealer to unlock it... gotta love it.

I think this is more of an 'issue' with 3rd generation trucks than it is the second.. But it may exist with yours too.. I had no idea about it until recently.

 

sounds like more of a problem with your battery/terminals to me. have you cleaned and tightened your connections lately?

 

Do the tune up, check ground wires and relays. Get a fuel pressure tester. Should be around 49 pounds. If that doesn't fix it, I bet the Crank Position Sensor is shot.

 

so to follow up, I let it sit for a couple hrs monday went back out and it started right back up like it had no issues...drove about 20 miles to a friends house, all is fine,I go to leave his house, it dies, just like someone turns the key off...(But I still have power, raido, windows, locks, etc, all work) pop it in Neutral and it starts right back up...drive back home and leave it sit for the night. go back last night and it starts right up drive it around town for a bit, no problems..took it down the highway no problems...wish the darn thing would stay broke so I could fix it...

Shoulda mentioned this in the first post


99, 318, A/T,

 

Check the codes and do what I already suggested.

 

pulled codes (didn't ever see a CEL come on or anything) but ends up being the crank sensor like you mentioned zman...would one from o'rielly's or where ever do the trick or should I go with a factory one?

 

I have always been a fan of factory parts but some places just wanna rip you off. I have used aftermarket parts with no issues but sometimes its a gamble IMO

 

If you don't want to get an OEM sensor, get at least a Standard Motor Products sensor. I've never had any problems using anything from SMP.