I have a 2008 evo x 120k miles that will randomly start when I crank it. When it won’t start the fans will start and the car does turn off it will randomly turn off sometimes while driving or just sitting there.

This started happening (randomly) after switching my rear camber arms. At first we thought it was just because it was on stands for two weeks with the rear higher than the front. I added gas and it turned right on (read this was common with evo X’s)

Couple days later I’m trying to go to the alignment shop and it turns off on me and won’t start. Since then I’ve learned that:



- It’ll start when I hear the three clicks from the electric throttle valve. When it does start it turns off randomly
- I thought I had fixed it after switching the MAF sensor because it started turning over but then left me stuck 5 miles out and wouldn’t turn on. I came back 4 hours later to tow it back and when i go to turn it over it fired right up and got me home, on the way home it would shut off while driving but I’d just stop turn it over a few time until it cranked and it start.
- When the car turns over I can use an OBD scanner on it and pull codes, I recently got P0113, P0102 and P0131. I replaced the MAF sensor and they went away after clearing them and haven’t come back but continues to have the same problem. Does turn over more often now.
- When it shuts off I get a service engine, traction control and maintenance light in my dash.
- The old owner got a new ECU for it at the dealership after the O2 sensor got exposed and made contact with itself. But since the replacement it’s ran great and I even got a new o2 sensor a few months back when I drove from Ohio to Washington with no problems
- My next goal is to look at the O2 sensor I’ve been seeing different forums and I think I narrowed it down to the O2 sensor or the ECU going bad (even though it’s new sad day)
- no fuses in the hood have been fried, all in good condition.
- got a new battery for it as well I was hoping it help. Auto parts store said it was going out anyways.

I guess my question to you is what are the odds of it being the O2 sensor vs the ECU? Could the O2 sensor really stop it from even turning over? I’d take it to the dealer but that’s 2.5 hour tow for me plus whatever the dealer charges ahhh! If you have any input I’d gladly take it. Thank you!

 

It sounds like a loose battery cable or ground cable in the car. I'd clean and check the battery cables and then review the grounds (especially any you might have worked near before it happened).

 

Thanks @splattj! I appreciate the references to the grounds too!! I will look into all my grounds tomorrow and update you with my results!

 

Update: I checked my grounds, they all looked good except my starter. Starter is all Oxidated and when I touched the negative wire between the starter solenoid it ripped in half like it was paper. I’m going to replace that tomorrow. That could explain why it’s not starting. I just don’t think that would cause it to turn off while driving.