Car shutting off while in neutral/in gear?

[96B-Mike]

I have a '96 Beretta and it just turned over 90k miles just a few days ago..about a few weeks ago i put a brand new alternator..ever since i have accrued these problems

-Car shuts of during neutral and or in gear? (happened about 3-4times since the alt. change) *after the car turns off, when i turn it back on it starts up just fine)

-Before i even changed the alt. my temp. gauge never worked, but ever since i changed it, it has been flickering hot/cold while i am driving

-Every now n then i hear a clacking noise (moderate tone). I hear it near right side of the motor closer to the bottom next to the tranny? i can feel it clacking on my feet on the drivers side

My guesses are
-I do have a recon battery i brought "new" from a reputable place
-I havent change my spark plugs/wires in probably 30k+ miles (NGK spark plugs)

thanks in advance

[3X00-Modified]

These sound like unrelated issues...

You may have a bad trans mount which is causing the case to touch your frame rail so I would check there for the clacking...

Temp gauge I would get that fixed... if your gauge isn't displaying properly you may not be getting a proper signal to the ECM either so it will be over fueling the car... Change the sensor thats located right behind the thermostat.

As far as the alternator goes What makes you think thats causing your shut off problem? If you can restart the vehicle after it shuts off then I would assume your getting plenty of a charge to keep the battery up, which would also run the vehicle fine as well.

[96B-Mike]

well today i just found out my cooling fan isnt working so on monday im going check out and see whats causing my fan not to run and put a new thermostat in

[3X00-Modified]

Temp sensor controls the fan... that or its the relay. But the sensors die more often.

[SuzukiGhostRider]

well today i just found out my cooling fan isnt working so on monday im going check out and see whats causing my fan not to run and put a new thermostat in

That would be your CTS (coolant temp sensor). If it is not operational however, your ECM should be telling the fan to come on and STAY on by default. IE: it should run constantly. What makes you think your fan isn't working? Did you use test leads and jump it to the battery? Remember cooling fans kick on what seems "late" in ALL Beretta's , Quad or not. Is your A/C charged and working? If the answer is yes, you have another sensor that should cause the fan to kick on. Your A/C pressure switch. Kick the A/C on Max and the fan should kick on IMMEDIATELY. You can also unplug your TPS and THAT will kick your fan on immediately. If none of these work, then you have a bad fan relay or a bad fan motor.

[96B-Mike]

Well i first noticed it when i was driving for about 20min and i just popped up the hood just to check it and the fan isnt running at all?
My A/C could use a recharge..and possibly a new compressor due to hearing the A/C clutch being loud as fuh when its running

[3X00-Modified]

Well the fan doesnt run unless you get to 222*F on a stock 96 setup it shuts off at 217* And I'm not kidding... I double checked a stock bin file... so I doubt after a quick ride that the engine was at that temp... Typical crusing you will never see the fan come on, its mostly used when your stuck in traffic or just at idle.




It's like I didn't even reply or something...

Temp sensor controls the fan... that or its the relay. But the sensors die more often.

That would be your CTS (coolant temp sensor). If it is not operational however, your ECM should be telling the fan to come on and STAY on by default. IE: it should run constantly. What makes you think your fan isn't working? Did you use test leads and jump it to the battery? Remember cooling fans kick on what seems "late" in ALL Beretta's , Quad or not. Is your A/C charged and working? If the answer is yes, you have another sensor that should cause the fan to kick on. Your A/C pressure switch. Kick the A/C on Max and the fan should kick on IMMEDIATELY. You can also unplug your TPS and THAT will kick your fan on immediately. If none of these work, then you have a bad fan relay or a bad fan motor.

[SuzukiGhostRider]

Was that last part of your post REALLY necessary Jon? You're not the only member here who replies to help threads. So I said the same thing but in more detail? So what? Geez....

[Thompson128]

-Before i even changed the alt. my temp. gauge never worked, but ever since i changed it, it has been flickering hot/cold while i am driving

Idk if this was answered, but i fixed mine with a $5 thermostat.

[SuzukiGhostRider]

I find that VERY strange as a t-stat should have NOTHING to do with a temp gauge "flickering back and forth". That should either be a faulty temp sending unit or a bad cluster.

[96B-Mike]

well i was just naming the possibilities? but i went to my mechanic and there is a bad relay..the fan is fine..i forgot what he was trying to find...ugh i cant remember but ill ask him and maybe you guys can help me out

[berettaboi]

idle relearn may help with your stall issue. depending which plugs are in there, you may be due for a tune up. platinums are good for 100-130 kkm.