# Car shuts off on its own?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-shuts-off-on-its-own/125407>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [September 21, 2018, 7:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-shuts-off-on-its-own/125407 "2018-09-21T19:06:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Saturnia](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/saturnia/32/13355_2.png) [@Saturnia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Saturnia)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 7:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-shuts-off-on-its-own/125407/1 "2018-09-21T19:06:19Z")

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Hello there,

My 2002 Saturn SL2 suddenly shut off today in the morning when I came to a stop. This happened only once, just a couple of blocks away from home. I was able to start the car again without problems however. What could be wrong?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 7:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-shuts-off-on-its-own/125407/2 "2018-09-21T19:33:16Z")

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The problem might be with the crankshaft position sensor starting to fail.

[https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=942208&cc=1388549&jsn=321](https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=942208&cc=1388549&jsn=321)

This sensor is mounted to the side of the engine block.

And because it’s made of plastic, the old sensor must be removed without breaking it.

Tester

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Saturnia](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/saturnia/32/13355_2.png) [@Saturnia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Saturnia)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 7:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-shuts-off-on-its-own/125407/3 "2018-09-21T19:45:18Z")

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Thanks for replying Tester. I have a question, If the problem is the crankshaft position sensor, wouldn’t it throw a code? Check engine light is off.

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**Author:** ![pyrolord314](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6a8cbe/32.png) [@pyrolord314](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pyrolord314)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2018, 7:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-shuts-off-on-its-own/125407/4 "2018-09-21T19:48:17Z")

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No, the CPS often doesn’t throw a code when it goes bad