Car dies while driving

[Gloriana]

This is 2nd time this week my daughters 199 Chevy Malibu died while driving it. We changed the plugs n wires ( which were original from factory) after we found out the large FUSE to ignition was blown. But not now.. Is there something else that can b causing this dangerous problem?

[carriedi]

there are a multitude of things that can cause an engine to stall while driving. Can you tell me which fuse blew out before? How many amp and what does the fuse legend say the fuse is for? Was the fuse in the engine compartment or in the dash fuse panel?

After the car died the second time, was it being driven down the road and died while it was cruising? (just noticed that the engine lost power and the dash lights came on and that's how you found out the engine stalled) or did it die when the car came to a stop? Did the engine restart right away after it died?

what year is, and what engine does your Malibu have?

[Gloriana]

Hi.. It's a 1999 Malibu and the fuse box under hood in engine. A large fuse. Sorry don't recall the one it's for but if you're facing windshield from outside car, it's on right side closest the bumper direction.
The car died while driving approx 30 mph and wouldn't restart.
My neighborhood mechanic thinks it's the fuse again and I suspect it's ignition coil or vacuum line off somewhere or gap is wrong on plugs. It runs strong but clunks into reverse snd now sounds like hole in muffler. Hmm

[Gloriana]

It's a 6 cyl LE model malibu if this hrlps

[Gloriana]

Oops LS model.. Dsughter said lights came on before it died and the temp gets went up

[Gloriana]

Temp gauge

[Gloriana]

Update.. Replaced fuse from a 40 smp to a 60 amp n car started and is still starting . Will check ignition coil and plugs n Heater blower to see if thsts causing fuse to blow.
Thank you

[carriedi]

changing a 40A fuse to a 60 amp could be hazardous. A 40 amp system has wires that can handle 40 amps. The fuse blowing is a protection for the wiring. The fuse blows so the wires don't overheat and cause a possible fire. Bumping up to a 60 amp fuse, you no longer have that protection. You should find out what the draw in the system is. You neighborhood mechanic should look up what that fuse goes to.

[Gloriana]

That makes sense. Thank you! I'll tell my 'mechanic' of fuse danger! And to be diligent on finding the cause.

[Gloriana]

Hi again. I looked at fuse relay box for what the fuses for n I'm not sure exactly what they mean.
It reads"IGN SW- BATT2 (30A)-GRN
And other reads same except its BATT 1 (40A)- ORG
Does this mean ignition switch and where's that located n is it hard to fix please??

[carriedi]

yes, that is for ignition switch. Those two fuses send all the power to the ignition switch to power up almost everything you need to run your car. In order for those fuses to blow you will probably need to look for a short to ground somewhere. It may be hard to find if it is an intermittent problem. possibly wires rubbing through somewhere to ground.

both of those fuses go to the ignition switch but they are separate circuits. It may take some time to find the problem.