Engine shut off while driving

[ComancheTom]

My engine shut off while driving the other day. The oil and battery lights both appeared to be on a few minutes before this occurred. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

Reading online it seems like I might need a new oil sender- but not sure if that would cause the engine to actually shut off.

 

 

[Dzimm]

Did it start back up or has it not started since?

[Ωhm]

2 hours ago, ComancheTom said:

The oil and battery lights both appeared to be on a few minutes before this occurred.

I don't understand this delay. Seems to me, engine is SHUT OFF when both of those lamps lit. That's what they do with KEY ON, ENGINE OFF, ENGINE STUMBLE maybe.

[87MJTIM]

Sounds similar to an issue I had many years ago.  While driving, I would loose all power: engine, lights, everything.  Sometimes, it would come back on; other times, i would have to pull over and restart the engine.  Then one day it died and would not restart.  I had power - lights, gauges, and cranking- but it would not fire.  Turned out to be the CPS.

 

Before you throw parts at it, test the CPS.  See Cruiser's Tips #7.  Also, see CPS Testing at Lunghd.com.

 

Also, give us info about your MJ: Year, engine, transmission, 2 or 4 wd, major modifications, etc.

[ComancheTom]

The engine is able to cut right back on after it cuts off. It doesn’t appear to lose power- headlights, radio, etc stay on.

 

it’s 1988 4.0L 6cylinder auto Rwd

[Andy in Pa]

Check for vacuum leaks, then check for bad spark.  Meaning spark plugs, wires, cap/rotor, or coil may be getting faulty.   Could also be CPS, but those are the two things that have fixed this stalling issue for me in the past. 

[cruiser54]

Go to my website and complete Tips 1 through 5 before doing anything else.