Ran out of OIL - Auto Shutdown?

Dazed&Confused · Jul 7, 2002

I am a newbie to this FAQ but I have spent the better part of today looking for an answer to my problem and can not find one. Perhaps someone here has an idea that I can try next.

After having the oil changed and filter replaced in my 1991 Stealth R/T TT I took it for a 20 mile drive. Turns out that the "o" ring didn't seat well and the oil sprayed out. The car shut itself off
after about 15 miles and a few warning dings from the dash. I had it transported home on a flatbed and replaced the filter myself then filled the oil again.

The problem is the car will not start. It cranks well and there are no bad sounds comming from the engine. (It was not overheated when it shutdown) The oil is at the right level. I checked the typical fuses and they are all OK. However, I do not have any spark. The fuel pump is working fine.

The car has 24K original miles on it and there are no mods. The only wildcard is LoJack was installed at the dealer when I bought it.

I have tried unhooking the battery over night. I have tried locking it with the door button and then unlocking it with the key. (thinking the security system or LoJack was upset from being rasied onto the flatbed)

My question is: Is there a automatic shutdown relay for when your oil drops below a set limit? If so how do I go about finding and reseting it now that the oil is filled again?

ANY ideas will be appreciated.

Thanks!

Mitsusl · Jul 7, 2002

if you ran completely out of oil... then your SOL...

John M · Jul 7, 2002

Odds are you're going to need a new engine. Probably the starter is turning but the crank and/or pistons are not. Spark in that model is triggered by a cam sensor and if the cams aren't moving, the ECU won't fire.

It's a shame to see that happen to a 24k mile old car.

Andrew Caple · Jul 8, 2002

Don't know, but only one more thing I can suggest along the lines of all the stuff you've done so far (battery, key) is this - on my 1991, whenever you have an error code being sent to the self-diagnostic connector under the dashboard, the way to reset it is to stick the key in the ignition and turn it on and off 60 (yes sixty) times, in order to clear the diagnostic codes. I know that this works, because I had the TOUR/SPORT problem, and doing this cleared my codes. If you're right about the auto-shutoff, and if there is an associated code, then maybe the code is still sitting there waiting to be cleared, and the car is smart enough to not let you start the engine because it doesn't think that you've fixed the problem yet.

When I say turn the key "on", I don't mean start the engine - just turn it two clicks so that all the idiot lights come on.

BTW - if you can afford a turbo, then you can afford to learn how to change your own oil, rather than paying some high-school dropouts to screw your car up for you

.

WhyYouTRPN · Jul 8, 2002

Who did the Oil change???

If a shop did the oil change then you just got yourself a free engine, but if you did it yourself or if one of your friends did it you are as they say above $hit out of Luck.... shame for a car that new...

WICKEDDREW · Jul 8, 2002

Go to Auto Zone and get a compression tester ($25) and use it. I've never heard of any auto shutoff connected to the oil pressure, but Ive never heard that there ISN'T one either.

hostile · Jul 9, 2002

Hrmm if it ran out of oil. It may have burned the remaning oil up so much that it solidified. Take off you oil pan and see what is in there. Also make sure you tell your mechanic he is going to have to prove the oil change place did the change wrong.

So you need to keep parts and take pics for court purposes.

Ran out of OIL - Auto Shutdown?

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