Engine Quits Running While Driving. HELP PLEASE!

Asked by BigSenior Feb 17, 2019 at 08:32 PM about the 1997 Nissan Altima GXE (1997.5)

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My daughter has a 1997 Nissan Altima. the engine quits running while
driving and sometimes while stopped at a red light, not at first after while
cold but after about 10 to 20 minutes. In order to restart the car you have to
mash the gas pedal to the floor while starting the engine and put it in drive
before it stalls to get going again before it stalls again. I have to put the car
in neutral and rev the engine while coasting at speed to keep it from dying.
The check engine light came on and the codes read that the EGR valve and
knock sensor were bad so I replaced them twice thinking they were bad out
of the box. Replacing the knock sensor on this vehicle SUCKS! Especially if
you have big mitts like myself. It is still is doing the same thing so I turned to
YouTube and looked for advice and have replaced: Fuel Filter, Fuel Pump,
Spark Plugs and wires, Crank sensor, cap and rotor plus the afore
mentioned EGR valves and knock sensors and its still doing the same thing.
I'm stuck. Any Intelligent advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank You in
advance.

1 Answer

103,215

If it can't idle without dying, it might be a simple part like the IAC, idle air control valve, but the codes you found seem it indicate it's a bigger problem than that. I would look at the catalytic converters being plugged up. They can create back pressure that affect EGR operation. Google various methods on check cats or back pressure.

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