Q: My van starts whenever it wants and dies while driving whenever.

asked by on June 28, 2016

I got this van a few months ago. Good condition and from the previous buyer told me they kept up on the maintance. Well about 3 weeks after i got it it wouldnt want to start every time but i could turn the van off or wait a second and it would start right back. Then it got to where it would die while i drive it. lights and everything are still on. its cranking to try and turn over but its not firing. Ive had 5 people look at it and no one knows whats wrong but ive been told theres been alot of work done on it. Some times itll start right up but then some days itllvstart in the morning and i can drive somewhere doesnt have to be far and it wont turn back on untilvthe next day or evening.

My car has 114820 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Radiator leak
Todays radiators are have an aluminum core and plastic tanks. The area where the tank meets the core is sealed by a gasket. Over time radiators tend to develop leaks in the gasket area. When this happens the usual repair...
Crack on bottom of gas pan leaking
If your vehicle's gas tank has cracked and begun leaking, I would recommend having it replaced if possible, or at least using a fuel resistant putty to seal the leak. Fuel leaks are not only expensive in terms of wasted...
Van idles high - 1993 Ford E-150 Econoline Club Wagon
You need to disconnect the throttle cable from the throttle body to see if the idle comes down. If it does, you may have a misadjusted transmission downshift cable which is holding the throttle body open. If it still idles...
Headlights come on when off in middle of night draining battery
There are several possibilities that may be the source of this issue - first make sure your headlight switch is in the "Off" position (rather than "Auto" for example). Then remove both the headlight relay and the daytime running light...
Oil leak on the hose which came form valve cover to air intake . Engine is new and recently worked on.
Hi there. By looking at the photos that you have provided is shows that the PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) valve is blowing by and causing engine oil to go through the PCV tube. Since your engine has a turbo on...
Car will not start.
Hello. A no start condition can be caused by many things. If the engine is cranking but not starting then it may be possible that there is an issue with the vehicle's ignition, fuel, or engine management systems. If one...
hard to start at morning after a long cranking it will get start but idiling is very rough
Hello. Thank you for writing in. There are several components that may cause a hard-start (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-hard-to-start-inspection). First we need to determine if the engine is cranking at a normal speed, and it is taking a while for the engine to...
Alarm won't reset so car wont star't.
Hi there. Remove the battery cables to the battery for 13 minutes. While the cables are off, put the key in the ignition and turn it on. Operate everything in the vehicle. This will drain all of the power in...
Hello i have a 325i bmw 2002 it is overheating i had a milky substance in my oil i recently put blue devil head gasket repair
Hi Deshawnda. Thanks for contacting us today. Although some "mechanics" recommend using a liquid head gasket sealer, the truth is that 80% of the time - it doesn't completely do the job - or it causes additional problems. These sealers...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy for Occasional Drivers
Not Not everyone relies on their car on a daily basis. Maybe you aren’t the type that deals with a daily commute, and running from here to there constantly. If that’s the case, you may be looking for a car...
Pontiac Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Car Program
If If you’re in the market for a used Pontiac vehicle, you may want to check out cars under their certified pre-owned program. Many manufacturers have a certified pre-owned (CPO) program, and each one is set up differently. Read on...
How to Buy a Classic Pontiac
Whether you want to buy a classic Pontiac for yourself or as a gift, here are some tips on buying one for a great value.