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Car turned off while driving - turned right back on

Five_OhGT

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Had a weird issue right after doing a pull on an empty road. Did two WOT pulls from 4k-7k rpm or so, didn't go to red line on either one. After the second pull, I started braking and put the clutch in to get ready for the upcoming stop and turn. I noticed the revs dropping to 500, and then down to zero and the engine shut off. I was able to immediately start the car and get it home (less than a mile away). There was no noticeable issues with the motor or transmission.

After getting it home, I checked the oil level which was fine, coolant was fine, and degas bottle had plenty of coolant. No check engine lights were produced.

My theory is the motor became starved of gas, as I only had 22 miles to empty. The car has a brand new supercharger kit (just over 500 miles), and part of that was a fuel pump voltage booster. I'm thinking with so little fuel (was just below 1/4 tank) and the fuel pump trying to run more to feed the boosted motor, it caused the car to die. Does this sound reasonable, or maybe something worse happening? After making sure everything was okay, I immediately drove to the closest gas station and filled up. No issues driving there, and did a decently hard pull with no noticeable power loss.

My mods are the VMP (whipple) supercharger kit and exhaust.
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ORRadtech

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It seems like every month or so someone posts a very similar story. The car just randomly shuts off. The stories usually report that the car restarts fine and shows no other symptoms. Occasionally someone will report that it happens a second time, sometimes within a short time sometimes a year or more later. Mostly people say it's a one time thing.
As to your question about the fuel pump. I suppose it could contribute but the symptoms don't really fit well. Especially the quick restart. I'd think a fuel starved engine would take a bit to reprime.
I will add that the fuel pump uses fuel emersion to cool the pump. I would think it's a bad idea to overclock the voltage and run the tank so low on fuel that the pump cannot cool effectively. Just something to think about.
 

Pistol_91

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Don't do pulls under 1/4 tank of gas.
 
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Five_OhGT

Five_OhGT

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I typically don't let it run so low. More or less snuck up on me. But definitely a good idea to pay more attention considering the fuel pump is running at higher voltage now.
 

CarDad29

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Mine puts on a message I have to acknowledge to go away, shows a fuel icon, and turns the fuel gauge bar orange... usually right at a quarter tank with 50 miles to E. How did that sneak up on you? lol
 

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Goterr0r

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For sure don't let you gas run down that low. and really don't do a pull when its down under a 1/4. You'll fry that pump fast and starve the motor for fuel. And what's a VMP Whipple? DId they combine forces and have a baby blower now.
 

SHOdaddy68

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My car did that a while ago. I tracked it down to a loose intake pipe on the throttle body. Tightened it up and it never happened again.
 
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Five_OhGT

Five_OhGT

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For sure don't let you gas run down that low. and really don't do a pull when its down under a 1/4. You'll fry that pump fast and starve the motor for fuel. And what's a VMP Whipple? DId they combine forces and have a baby blower now.
They just take a Whipple supercharger and put a lid with their logo on it, plus supporting mods.
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