ENGINE QUITTING WHILE DRIVING

[John Hennessey]

Has anyone had the experience of the C12 engine shutting down and restarting itself while driving?  It has happened twice while driving on the freeway and once while sitting at a stop sign.  While at the stop sign I had to turn the ignition key 3 times before it started right off and I drove to my destination.  On the freeway it just started back up without my touching the ignition.  Injector solenoid maybe or what?

[Joel Ashley]

My first instinct would be a loose ignition wire, right behind the dash.  But it could be a chassis ground somewhere.  Intermittent operations like that often point to loose or corroded grounds.

But Gerald or Ed are more experienced than I in this dept.

Joel

[Richard Cooper]

A BAC friend nearby told me this happened to him driving through the maddening traffic of Atlanta (twice) and he discovered that the ignition key was on a ring with a dozen other keys, etc. and the weight of all of it was causing the ignition to cut off.  How much weight do you have on your keyring?

I've now put my ignition key on a ring with just it and the door key.

[Gerald Farris]

John,
The highest probability of the cause of your problem is the solenoid in the left front electrical bay that is controlled by the ignition switch..

Gerald

[Larry and Heidi Lee]

I had this same issue and found that as Gerald indicated the ignition solenoid in the electrical bay had failed. I replaced the mechanical solenoid with a solid state unit.

[John Hennessey]

Larry, what part number did you replace your mechanical solenoid with to convert it to and electronic solenoid and where did you get it?  Sounds like a good idea.

[Larry and Heidi Lee]

hi John, check out this link: http://www.colehersee.com/home/item/cat/197/48785/

After my rig died on an off ramp, the $150 price tag was well worth the piece of mind in my opinion. I think I bought mine from ASE Supply but can't remember. Installed 3 years ago problem solved. Call around for the best price. Easy to install.

[John Hennessey]

I forgot to mention that the speedometer also jumps when idling.  Not the tach just the speedometer.

[Carol Bentley]

Just wanted to drop a note of a thousand one thanks.  I was having the same problem with engine shutting off.  Went to the web site and saw where Gerald said to replace solenoid.  Up and running, running and running. Thanks again Jim Bentley

[Roy Boles]

I had the same problem on my 96 Monterey. Stopped by a NAPA store and they matched up the old one to find a replacement. No more shut downs.

[Bill Stireman]

I would like to replace my mechanical solenoid with the electronic model.  Can anyone describe or send a picture of the mechanical solenoid so I know what to replace?

Bill stireman
'04 Monterey Laguna
C-9 400 hp Cat

[John Hennessey]

Replaced both the ignition switch and put in an electronic solenoid.  No more shut downs!!! Thanks!!!!

[Larry and Heidi Lee]

I would like to replace my mechanical solenoid with the electronic model.  Can anyone describe or send a picture of the mechanical solenoid so I know what to replace?

Bill stireman
'04 Monterey Laguna
C-9 400 hp Cat

[Bill Stireman]

Larry & Heide - thanks for the photos.  I will order the electronic solenoid today.

Bill Stireman
40' '04 Monterey Laguna
C-9 400 HP Cat
wintering in the beautiful Florida Keys

[Bill Stireman]

hi John, check out this link: http://www.colehersee.com/home/item/cat/197/48785/

After my rig died on an off ramp, the $150 price tag was well worth the piece of mind in my opinion. I think I bought mine from ASE Supply but can't remember. Installed 3 years ago problem solved. Call around for the best price. Easy to install.

Bought one today.  Found new on Ebay for $99.00 including shipping.

Bill Stireman
40' '04 Monterey Laguna
400 HP Cat C-9