Q: The car shuts off after an hour in the sunlight

asked by on July 27, 2016

I have problems with my car shutting off after it has been sitting outside when the weather is hot and sunny for more than an hour. I would be able to start it up but it would immediately shut off. I had the motor relay replaced. It didn't help. What could be causing this?

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

How do I see a list of all the paired phones?
The infotainment system can have five mobile devices paired to it at a time. To see which phones are currently paired to the system, press the Config button, and select Phone Settings. Then, select Bluetooth, followed by Device List.
Throttle light came on
Hello, if the throttle light just came on briefly and then went off, that would be normal operation. When the throttle light comes on briefly and goes off, it's letting you know that it is reducing power because it has...
Broken intake gasket
Intake gasket replacement is an involved job, but it's not such a huge task that it's worth junking the car over. It calls for 4.6 hours of labor. If the car is otherwise in good shape, I would suggest having...
Power steering Leak
The leak sound like it is coming from the rack and pinion seals. A sealer will not work for power steering pressure leaks in most cases. You will need to have the system pressure tested and then the rack and...
My low oil light comes on but, when I start the car the second time, it goes out and the dipstick reads full
Hi. The most likely cause of this problem is the oil level sensor has an intermittent problem and is about to fail. There is electrical circuitry inside the oil level sensor that sends info to PCM. Sometimes this electrical circuitry...
LEAKING OIL PAN GASKET
This sounds like it is something that is within your skills ability. I can't speak to your skills for certain without knowing what kind of repairs you have done in the past though. As far as oil pan gasket replacement...
When accelerating car makes winding sound. What could it be?
This may be related to a variety of things that are driven by the serpentine belt that may correlate to the acceleration, however the most common noises resembling a whining sound are a failing alternator or a power steering pump...
Engine revs up and down when in park and sometimes in drive/reverse; have replaced IAC valve, and the map sensor 1998 Honda Prelude
Hi there - the P0505 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0505-obd-ii-trouble-code-idle-control-system-malfunction-by-jay-safford) code you are getting indicates a problem with the idle air control circuitry. Since you have replaced the IAC valve, this could still be a problem with the connectors or wiring to the IAC....
Water leaking from pillar sunroof drain into passenger footwell
Yes, diagnosing the leak and implementing the required repairs is no problem and is a fully covered service. To request that service, you can schedule via YourMechanic's leak diagnostic service page (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/clear-fluid-is-leaking-inspection). If the drain tube is readily accessible, I...

Related articles

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Anti-Lock Fuse Or Relay
Common signs include the ABS Light turning on, tires locking up regularly, and a blown fuse.
How Long Does a Throttle Kicker Actuator Last?
What What happens when you turn down things in your vehicle such as the air conditioner? It slows down in a controlled manner. Just like when you decrease your speed it's not a sudden loss of power rather it is...
How to Replace an Intermittent Wiper Relay
If the windshield wipers function on high and low but do not work on the intermittent setting, then your intermittent wiper relay may be faulty.