This morning I left to drive to the gym i had a maint req'd light on. It was a short drive but at first I noticed no problems. Right before I arived the car died as I was driving (I was around 20mph), it immdiately started back and I made it only a few feet before it died again. Again it started right back, by this time I was pulling into the parking lot it died one more time as i coasted into the nearest space. I let it sit for a minute and then tried to back out and it died right away. I waited for a few minutes more and tried again, this time I was able to drive through the parking lot but it started jerking when i went to 2nd. so i found another parking spot and parked. I let it run for a while and there was a wavering sound like maybe it was idling low. I waited 30-40 minutes and then checked all the fluids, everything looked good. Started back up I had the engine light and the maint req'd light on. Engine sounded normal so I proceeded to drive back home. On the drive back the engine light went out and I noticed no other problems. I am at 98,000 miles, I know there is some scheduled maintenance coming due. Is this normal behavior? I'm afraid to drive it now. Any suggestions?

 

Look in the owner's manual to find out when the spark plugs are due for a change. Use only the NGK plugs that are in the owners manual. IZFR6K11

If the check engine light turned on, you should have the codes scanned to narrow down the problem.

 

Check the codes. My 98 had a similar problem, it ended up being the speed control sensor. Yeah about the 98,000 miles-you should have had your timing belt changed 8,000 miles ago!

 

2004 4-cyl has a timing chain, no replacement. If it's a V-6 then yes, think about the timing belt.