Engine shut off while driving

Good afternoon,

Does the starter crank the engine?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Roy

Also, for the past couple of weeks the engine would idle high when first starting.

it sounds like it is slightly going to crank and then nothing.

The battery is low. You need to get it charged and tested along with the charging system.

That is where I would start.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

Roy

i have charged the battery and even tried to jump start it. Still no luck.

What was the voltage after you charged it?

Roy

12.5.

does the starter engage and crank the motor?

Roy

the starter engages and slightly cranks it, then nothing. could it be a bad sending unit?

it still sounds like a battery issue.

when the engine is cranking, can you measure the voltage at the battery?

the starter may be drawing too much current.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-starter-and-solenoid-works

make sure the cables are clean and tight.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

Roy

i will see what it reads this morning. i do know that there is definite continuity running from the battery to the starter. Also the transfer of electricity is happening from the starter to the solenoid. I will check for spark and get back to you. Thank you for all your help and patience. I really appreciate it!

No problem.

We are glad to help.

Roy

I apologize for my delay in responding. It has been a hectic day. So when i tried to start it and the voltmeter would drop to 8.5 - 9 volts. I also went ahead and checked for spark and there was not any. I did notice that the entire rail of coil packs was pretty loose and two weren't even making contact. At that point I decided to check the wiring, spark plugs and coil packs. Changed out four spark plugs on the drivers side. when doing this each time i pulled a plug the more oil i would see on them (front to firewall). I cleaned up the coils, and whatever oil i could reach. We tried to crank it to see what would happen and sure enough it actually tried to start and it sounded like the starter was just spinning. You know the sound the starter makes when the teeth are not grabbing? I tried the key again and it went right back to what it was doing, not starting. :( What would make that occur?

The 8.5 to 9 volts is no good. it should be no lower than 10.8 volts while cranking.

Low voltage is your issue.

Roy

why did it crank today?

Did you check and clean all the connections at the battery?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

Roy

Yes.

then we are back to the battery. it is failing under load.

Roy