Engine Shuts Off Mid-Drive

soccer8888 · Post by **soccer8888** » March 7th, 2005, 2:48 pm

I have a 92 GS with 155k on it. I just had the distributor replaced, brand new plugs and wires, and a month later it is starting to shut off going along at highway speeds. Sometimes i can coast and start it up again, other times it'll just crank and not start so i have to pull over for a few minutes until it feels like starting up again. a shop says its the "idle/bypass valve" and wants $850 to fix it. where is this part? and where can i get a new one? any thoughts on what else this could be? engine runs great when its actually running.

DavidOS · Post by **DavidOS** » March 7th, 2005, 5:22 pm

i wouldnt go trusting the first shop that thinks something.

i would get a second opinion first

soccer8888 · Post by **soccer8888** » March 7th, 2005, 5:44 pm

thats a good idea, i just wish i knew more about it..

Ricksmx3 · Post by **Ricksmx3** » March 7th, 2005, 6:27 pm

I dont care what is wrong with it. There anit no way its worth $850. Forget that s--- i wouldnt go back to that place.

jschrauwen · Post by **jschrauwen** » March 7th, 2005, 7:25 pm

Any CEL codes coming up when it dies? Have you tried to pull if any CEL codes at home after the fact? Have you openned the "new disty" to see if something's amiss? I'm not familiar with the idle by-pass valve. A little more info might help. Cost sounds outrageous!!, Second opinion is a must, and maybe even a third.

soccer8888 · Post by **soccer8888** » March 7th, 2005, 9:36 pm

ok, good. i was wondering if i was just being unreasonable by thinking that was way too high. i'm takin it outta there!

Keira · Post by **Keira** » March 8th, 2005, 12:09 am

I would go back to whoever replaced your distributor and if you did it yourself definatly check it out. That is the best place to start before paying for some "idle/bypass valve." But 155k is a ton of miles if your mx3 is an automatic. Not worth an $850 part in most cases.

soccer8888 · Post by **soccer8888** » March 8th, 2005, 7:46 am

Keira wrote:I would go back to whoever replaced your distributor and if you did it yourself definatly check it out. That is the best place to start before paying for some "idle/bypass valve." But 155k is a ton of miles if your mx3 is an automatic. Not worth an $850 part in most cases.

it IS alot of miles, but the thing runs like a champ! its so much fun to drive, i'm not sure i'm willing to give it up yet... i just moved 9 hours away from the place that did the distributor though...so thats kinda out of the question.

Grants · Post by **Grants** » March 8th, 2005, 7:57 am

There anit no way its worth $850.

He should have made the "no way" bold or something. Like:
no way
no way
no way
no way
no way
no way
no way

He's right, $850 is too much.

andy · Post by **andy** » March 8th, 2005, 1:36 pm

There are not many things known to cause your symptoms.
#1 would be your distrbutor.
Did they use a rebuilt unit or new?
did it come from a used car?

There are some that have picked up new/rebuilt distributors only to have
them go bad within a month.

The IAC ("idle bypass valve") you mentioned is not one of those things that would cause the car to shut of while driving.

Andy P. 93 GS