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2001 Pontiac Grand Prix Intermittent stalling while driving

Tiny
CBD258812
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 187,000 MILES
I have an intermittent stalling occurring while driving highway speeds. I pull off the highway and attempt to restart. It will turn over and tries to start but will not run. What is interesting is that I can get it to start by disconnecting the battery which apparently is clearing the ECM of whatever the problem. It will then run fine until the next stall. The car throws no codes when using a scan tool and there is no check engine light. I have checked the fuel pressure at the rails which is 43 psi at the time of the no start. It also measures 43 psi when the car is running fine. I have replaced the following: MAF Sensor, Crank Position Sensor, Ignition Control Module and Fuel Pump Relay. I am getting ready to replace the MAP Sensor. I am not sure if I don't have spark at the time of the no start as it is hard to test this by yourself on the highway. The car is a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GT. V6 3.8 L engine. 187000 miles. Any help would be appreciated.
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Sunday, September 26th, 2010 AT 9:34 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
CBD258812
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I replaced both the MAP Sensor and the Camshaft Position Sensor. One of these must have been the culprit as I have been driving for over a month now and no longer experience the problem. Just heads up the Camshaft Position Sensor was not easy to get to. If anyone knows how to bench test these sensors please reply. I would really like to know which one was actually failing.
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Sunday, November 28th, 2010 AT 5:29 AM
Tiny
CBD258812
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  • 5 POSTS
I just wanted to add that I found that the Camshaft Position Sensor (if equipped) AND/OR the Crankshaft Position Sensor can cause the engine to randomly stall or not run at all. If you are experiencing the same symptoms as above I would suggest replacing these first. I have read that you can test these sensors but in most cases they must be measured while the stall occurs and while cranking the engine. In my case you can't reach the the camshaft sensor as it is behind the power steering pump which is extremely difficult to get to. It is better to just go ahead and replace both. Good Luck.
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Tuesday, November 30th, 2010 AT 11:30 PM
Tiny
MANDUH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I have the same exact isssue, plus a number of other issues. But, i'd like to know where the map sensor is located in the engine. I want to try this first. And also, are you having stalling issues now that you've been driving and this was a few months ago?
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Thursday, January 20th, 2011 AT 7:19 AM
Tiny
CBD258812
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
The map sensor is located just to the left of the engine on the end of the upper plenum. After I replaced both the map sensor and camshaft position sensor the problem seems to be resolved. I have driven several thousand miles without a problem. I am thinking the camshaft position sensor was my problem but these sensors are not easy to test. Replacing the camshaft position sensor is not easy. Good Luck.
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Thursday, January 20th, 2011 AT 3:31 PM
Tiny
MANDUH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Okay, thank you very much! And I was also wondering does your car's rpm drop to 0 while driving and immidietaly after the trac off light come on? Before when my car wasn't stalling so bad, this would happen and then my car would stall right after. Sometimes it would keep going as well. But I've looked online and a number of other grand prixs have had these same problems. Thank you again for your help!
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Thursday, January 20th, 2011 AT 7:42 PM
Tiny
MANDUH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
And #7 says pcv valve I don't see where the map sensor would be located, could you give me more detail?
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Thursday, January 20th, 2011 AT 7:54 PM
Tiny
CBD258812
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
The car stalled when I was driving highway speeds. It would suddenly lose power and the dash lights would immediately come on (like when you first turn on the key). I am not sure if the trac off light would come on. Once it stalled it would not start immediately. But disconnecting the battery seemed to reset the sensor and it would start again. The picture with #7 is also the map sensor. I think the pcv valve is located under the map sensor in the same location. It might help if you go to the parts store and go ahead and purchase the map sensor so you know what it looks like.
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Friday, January 21st, 2011 AT 12:43 AM
Tiny
CGIENAPP1
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I have a '99 Grand Am SE 3.4 and my car stalls out when it warms up and won't start again till it cools down. I replaced the ignition control module and the crankshaft position sensor. Now, I'm convinced it's the camshaft position sensor, however, I popped the belt and power steering pump off and took the bolt out of the sensor and it doesn't seem like it wants to slide out of the block? Almost seems like the lower manifold is overlapping the very edge of the sensor keeping it from sliding out. Surely the whole top half of the motor doesn't have to come out. No instructional step-by-steps that I've read said anything about that. Thanks in advance!
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Sunday, July 20th, 2014 AT 7:45 PM

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