Engine stalls/not fuel problem

Tiny
RENE1981
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 BUICK CENTURY
  • 97,000 MILES
Car will cut off while driving, the big wiring harness that goes across the top of the engine has something to do with it. If I touch it (not a constant pattern to where I touch it and not every time I touch it) will make the car cut off. Also, the box with the fuses in it makes a popping noise. Does anyone know what this means?
Monday, April 23rd, 2018 AT 9:38 AM

56 Replies

Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
There is a short circuit or short to ground or an intermittent open in whatever it is that is popping and what you touch.
Post a photo and I will see if I can identify it and maybe give you a link to the harness to purchase.
Although, if you want to look up the harness your self, these are two good sources for OEM GM parts.
https://www.tonkinonlineparts.com/
and
https://www.wholesalegmpartsonline.com/
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Monday, April 23rd, 2018 AT 9:58 AM
Tiny
RENE1981
  • MEMBER
  • 36 POSTS
The big wire in this picture, but the car cuts off even when it is not touched or moved.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, April 23rd, 2018 AT 10:08 AM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
Is this a 3.1 or 3.8 engine?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+2
Monday, April 23rd, 2018 AT 10:36 AM
Tiny
RENE1981
  • MEMBER
  • 36 POSTS
3100.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Monday, April 23rd, 2018 AT 10:44 AM
Tiny
RENE1981
  • MEMBER
  • 36 POSTS
And sometimes I can touch and move the wires and it does not cut off, and sometimes it makes the fuse box make a popping noise.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Monday, April 23rd, 2018 AT 10:45 AM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
I think it may be harness #587 here, https://www.wholesalegmpartsonline.com/products/Buick/2003/Century-Custom-4DR/HARNESS-Engine-Wiring/2667840/12578971.html
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, April 23rd, 2018 AT 11:00 AM
Tiny
RENE1981
  • MEMBER
  • 36 POSTS
Is there a possibility that it is something other than the actual harness? I had someone suggest it is a possible fuse box or connector.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, April 23rd, 2018 AT 11:02 AM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
Split that harness cover open and give me the color of the wires. Maybe I can tell by the wiring diagram.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, April 23rd, 2018 AT 11:37 AM
Tiny
RENE1981
  • MEMBER
  • 36 POSTS
I took my car to the dealer because when it comes to electrical. I do not feel comfortable, they charged me $354.00 for the diagnostic fee and are saying it is the ignition module, how big is this job? And they say the part is almost $400.00 which I am not seeing that price for the ones online. I need advice!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 26th, 2018 AT 3:27 PM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
Of course the dealer is going to mark up the price as much as 100% which is twice as much. I see both summit racing and rockauto has ignition control modules for just over $100.00, even an ACDelco for $142.00 and $175.00. I also see a standard motor product one at rockauto for $54.00, you would save a lot more either purchasing your own and installing it or ask them to install the one you purchase. I see the labor time should be 0.8 hours so even if they charge $100.00 an hour, that is $80.00 labor.
Here are the instructions:
IGNITION CONTROL MODULE > REMOVAL & INSTALLATION (3.1L)
Disconnect all the electrical connectors at the Ignition Control Module (ICM). Note the position of the spark plug wires for installation and disconnect the spark plug wires from the ignition coils. Remove the screws securing the coil assemblies to the ignition control module.
Disconnect the coils from the ignition control module. Remove the fasteners securing the ignition control module assembly to the engine. Remove the coils and the ignition control module from the bracket.
To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten the ignition coil screws to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS. Connect the spark plug wires to the ignition coils. See Figure
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, April 26th, 2018 AT 3:38 PM
Tiny
RENE1981
  • MEMBER
  • 36 POSTS
They said an hour and a half on labor so $181.00.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 26th, 2018 AT 3:40 PM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
No, that is too high, should be 0.8 hours.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 26th, 2018 AT 3:42 PM
Tiny
RENE1981
  • MEMBER
  • 36 POSTS
We replaced the ignition module and the coil packs, it drove fine for three days now it is cutting off again. What could be causing to one cut off again and/or cause the ignition control module to short out in the first place?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, May 8th, 2018 AT 4:58 PM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
The only thing I can think of it getting too much voltage maybe from an over charging by the alternator. Remove the alternator, take it into an auto-parts store and have them bench test it for free.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Tuesday, May 8th, 2018 AT 5:40 PM
Tiny
RENE1981
  • MEMBER
  • 36 POSTS
What about the crank shaft sensor, people has been talking about that could possibly be the problem as well. How do that sound to you?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, May 8th, 2018 AT 5:44 PM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
I think it all depends on if it is the ignition control module again that went bad and if so and if before it failed because it overheated or burnt up. If so, I do not see how the crank sensor would cause that, but I could see too much voltage causing something to overheat and burn up.
I cannot even think of why a bad crank sensor would cause an ignition control module to fail.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, May 8th, 2018 AT 6:04 PM
Tiny
RENE1981
  • MEMBER
  • 36 POSTS
Thank you for your help, we took the alternator and had it tested, it is good and is putting out the correct voltage as, the check engine light is not on, however the car registered some codes one for the purge solenoid, another thing the guy at the parts store said was the air flow box is missing a clip and not popped together all the way. One thing weird is when the car stalls sometimes it cuts back on without restarting it, it will cut off then back on, sometimes it just cuts off.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, May 9th, 2018 AT 3:22 PM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
Check the ground G111 located at the right side of engine on the ignition control module bracket for being loose. Twist the connection real hard by hand and if it moves any at all, it is too loose.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+2
Wednesday, May 9th, 2018 AT 3:26 PM
Tiny
RENE1981
  • MEMBER
  • 36 POSTS
How would I tighten it? Or would it need to be replaced?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, May 9th, 2018 AT 3:31 PM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
First just check if it is loose.
If it is not loose, do not worry about it.
There has got to be a code or codes stored in that computer memory, can you have the codes retrieved again? Or tell me the codes you did not mention last time because you said "the car registered some codes one for the purge solenoid" but you never said what the other codes were.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, May 9th, 2018 AT 3:41 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links