Help and fast pleassssssse

Sounds like the engine died (stopped running). If it restarted just fine and doesn't do it again, I would not worry. If it happens again have a dealer look at the car.

I havent driven anywhere yet, I"ve been

Dust???? As in a dirty car????

It stalled.

Could be letting you know something is about to die or it could mean nothing.

If it does it again, pay attention to what is on and what you are doing.

Also the type of car and tranny don't hurt along with how old.

Mike

Angie23 wrote:

I have no idea. I assume they meant dust on a connection somewhere.. really I know NOTHING about cars, I'm lost and fearful of my 30 mile drive to Pittsburgh tonight. Any suggestions??

need more info and you probally just crank'ed the steering all the way at a low rpm and just stalled

Its a 94 Mercury Tracer. I have no idea what a tranny is so I don't know what type I have.

Take a cell phone and a credit card.

If the engine didnt die, maybe the power steering belt began slipping badly. This could make your power steering impotent. The same belt may have also driven the alternator.

If your area had been experiancing dust storms I would suggest checking the air filter.

This does not seem to be your problem though.

The streering got hard because the motor quit and your power steering was not powered anymore.

If it starts and drives OK for short distances I would not worry but make sure you have your Auto Club card and a flashlight.

also go out and simulate what you did a few times when it died . if nothing take a chance butt let your people know what 's going on so you dont become another stat in this countries M I A

RE: stalling

If you know a friend or family member who can do simple auto maintenance, see if they will clean the throttle body and check the intake hose for cracks. This is fairly basic stuff for a shadetree mechanic and won't take long. These two items can cause random stalling.

Maybe go so far as to have them see how bad the spark plugs are and replace them along with the air filter and fuel filter if they are dirty/original. These items won't directly cause your problem (normally) but are necessary maintenance and go a long way towards preventing bigger problems in the future.

If you must go to a repair shop, I would wait until the stalling becomes worse or more predictable so that the mechanic can duplicate it and find the cause. Otherwise you will either be without your car for a long time or waste the diagnostic charge on a "Can Not Duplicate" situation.

I would suggest you get the basic maintenance items checked/fixed now seperate from the stalling diagnosis.

TOyota MDT in MO

Thanks for all your help and quick responses. I'm uber gratful!!

does this happen to be a stick shift (the one with 3 pedals in the floor instead of 2)?

irax.

Angie23 wrote:

Geez, I may not know much about cars, but I do know the difference between a standard and automatic. Its an automatic.. only two pedals :P

...was referring to another poster's asking what type of tranny & to your not realizing that a tranny was a transmission...

Did the engine actually die or did the steering get hard and lights come on?

If only the second, then I would be checking the level of the fluid in the power steering pump. There will be a cap on it with a dipstick inside the cap to tell the level.

Mike

Angie23 wrote: