catera wont start after heating up

primetimes2000catera · #1 (**permalink**) 05-27-09, 04:16 PM

my catera been great the only promblem is recently after it warms up and been running for awhile you turn it off it wont crank , nothing all lights,horn,radio work, after sitting 15to 30 mins it starts right up fine please help dont want my wife stranded in this car any help highly appreciated thanks im diffenitely a catera lover

R-Caddy · #2 (**permalink**) 05-27-09, 05:01 PM

Crankshaft Position Sensor. Look up another thread on this page, or maybe next one

AHazzardToAll · #3 (**permalink**) 05-28-09, 03:04 PM

my experience with a bad cps is the car actually DIES after warming up. Could also be a corroded positive cable. See is the cable looks discolored anywhere. Both common problems with the cats.

elvin315 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-28-09, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AHazzardToAll

my experience with a bad cps is the car actually DIES after warming up. Could also be a corroded positive cable. See is the cable looks discolored anywhere. Both common problems with the cats.

When my CPS would act up it would quit just like both of you experienced. Once after cooling, and the next after warming up. The first time it quit after a dinner stop. The car ran fine but after cooling in the parking lot it quit while backing out and wouldn't restart until cooling for about an hour. The second time was on the way to the garage. Started and ran fine until I stopped at a light. It idled for a minute then died in the middle of the road. Had to call AAA for a tow. I had the CPS in hand, having ordered it online, and since they changed it 2 years ago I haven't had a problem.

Matera97 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-28-09, 08:02 PM

You guys had at least a little warning. My car stalled once in the morning, didn't need to let cool down it fired right back up. She continued to drive fine the whole day. The next morning, nothing. Refused to turn over until I put the new CPS in.

libbysman · #6 (**permalink**) 06-17-09, 12:36 AM

My 97 did it to me yesterday. I shut it off at the mall, 5 minutes later it would crank but not start. I let it cool while we went to dinner for about an hour. Whenn we came back still no go. The tow truck arrived and the driver asked what happened and I told him. He went to his truck as he was telling me he was about to save me a lot of $$$$. He came back with a big tow hook and told me to crank over the engine as he belted the gas tank with the heavy hook. It started right up.
He said that the fuel cools the pump, but if I run with less than 1/2 tank of gas it shortens the pump life. Apparently the contacts in the pump get pitted (like old distributer points) and will get progressivly worse. I stopped at a coffee shop on the way to work today and the same thing happened. I went through the same routine and it started right away. Go figure.
Now, my turn for some help. Is there a thread that explains how to change the pump. Help would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Brian