Engine suddenly shuts off...

[Andy]

Engine suddenly shuts off... Solved!

Hi, wanted to go for a ride, had the car idling for a while, when suddenly the engine stops running, dashlights go off, but the radio stays on, doorlights work, central lock still works. Battery at 12.5V. But when I turn the key, nothing happens.

Car has never let me down so far. Anyone any idea?

Help much appreciated!
Kind regards, Andy

 

[safrane]

Happen in one of mine once...just as I flicked between R and 1st.

Would not start after...battery reset and 10mins later it started as normal. Had it checked and never occurred again. That was my first 4200.

 

[Andy]

Safrane, Thank you very mich for this speedy reply! I switched off the battery with the black knob and am awaiting the result..

 

[safrane]

Fingers crossed for you.

 

[Andy]

So far, all remains the same... Switched off, waited, switched on, waited... Lights flashed.
When I unlock, the pump humms its little song, the window lowers a little on opening, but when I turn the key, all remains dark. Radio works fine though...

Any thoughts?

 

[jluis]

When you say it remains dark, does that mean you don't get the usual dash lights?
If that's case, you probably blew a fuse.

 

[philw696]

Check the voltage across the Battery with a multi meter as the dash gauge only a guide.
Phil.

 

[outrun]

Sounds to me like an earthing issue. I had a similar thing on a Lexus RX which took forever to find. Dash lit up, windows etc fine but nothing when you turned the key.

 

[Andy]

thanks Jorge! No lights at all, so probably a fuse (I hope). I will look into the fuses tomorrow.
The only difference in today's startup routine was that the light for the heated seats was on. Keep u posted. Thanks for your assistance!

 

[jluis]

I had something very similar happen to me once in a Fiat punto.
Dashboard died completely. No lights, no RPM, no speed, nothing but the engine did not died.
After stopping the engine, it would only turn and not fire.

The fuse to the dashboard was the same that fed the immobilizer so the car would no longer start.

I suspect in the 4200 the ECU fuse is shared by the dashboard.

 

[Andy]

Thank you Philw Outrun Jorge, We checked the battery with a tool and it was fine.

Strange feeling when you want to set off and just that moment yor engine dies while the radio remains on...
Will start of with the fuses. Thanks for your help.

 

[jluis]

I don't think you have a serious problem there, but if it's not the fuse it could be an earth or wiring problem as mentioned and that might take a bit of poking around to find out.

 

[outrun]

Agreed, it sounds like finding it may be more complex than the repair itself.

 

[2b1ask1]

Sounds like a loose battery terminal to me. Good luck

 

[Contigo]

Yep cracked or loose battery terminal did this at Le Mans last year, get them tightened.

 

[Andy]

Good news, the problem is solved.

Solution was a new fuse for position 38, ignition switch. The fuse was blown, but the overload was limited, just enough to have it blown.

The moment it blew:
-engine was idling
-heated seats on
-radio was on
And the fuse blew the moment my son was operating the electric seat on the passenger side to make room to get to the backseats.

Thank you all very much for your help and guidance!

 

[safrane]

Good to hear you are back on the road.

 

[allandwf]

Excellent! reasonably painless.

 

[Andy]

In the meantime it was a comfort that the consensus was that it would be a minor issue. The forum is of great value!