I have a 97 buick skylark,and yesterday I was driving and if ii came to light and would try to take off again,it would make let a put putt noise and then finally kick in go,but once I got on the highway it did it and lost all speed,I pulled over and it died,I tired to start it again it would run I would put it in drive and as soon as I hit the gas it would die again..what could it be?

Phil Lovisek

• 726 Answers
• Posted on Aug 03, 2008

SOURCE: Car dies while driving

I think that your crank angle sensor failed. Is the check engine light on?? if so, scan it and get code. If the code is P0335, than you need new crank angle sensor. Nissan has been having some problems with those even on other Nissan products. (Altima, Pathfinder and so on) Good luck.

SOURCE: car wont start

Does the engine sound different when it cranks? It might be a timing belt concern? Remove the oil cap and look for the camshaft.(you might need a flashlight).Have a partner crank the engine and watch the cam. If it stays still you have a bad timing belt.Let me know what you find.

SOURCE: engine dies, starts rough

Most large parts stores read codes free. Most common cause is crank sensor, but I'd have code checked before buying anything.

Marvin

• 85242 Answers
• Posted on Aug 12, 2009

SOURCE: my 97 jimmy sometimes dies while driving and

Here is the common cause of surges, stalls at stops, slow idle speed, erratic idle speed, rough idle and engine hesitation (and other problems), it is in most cases the idle speed control air-bypass valve and or throttle valve and upper intake, these area's get full of gunk and combustion residue over the miles and cause idle issues (stalls, low idle) like yours, Get a can of intake cleaner from any local parts store, not carb spray, intake cleaner, it is made by a company called CRC, remove the air intake hose to the engine, hold the idle high so the engine won't stall, then spray the can of cleaner into the intake while keeping the engine running, use at least 1/2 the can, shut down the engine and disconnect the battery for 5 minutes, then restart and complete a number of mixed driving cycles, town, freeway, stop and go etc., after a few days the problem will go away as the system will relearn to the clean intake.

SOURCE: 98 jeep grand cherokee dies and starts back

replace the crank angle sensor and this should cure your problem