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Car dies at random

Tiny
ERICA KIDWELL
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 3.4L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 1,510,000 MILES
I have replaced the TPS, alternator fuel filter not the pump, the crankshaft pulley and my car still randomly decides it wants to die on the freeway and in town and just stopping at a stop sign. I am trying to figure out if it sounds like an electrical issue like the BMC and should I buy one and tell the mechanic to just replace it? Because every time they do not know what the problem is and it is becoming very dangerous and winter is approaching so I am worried.
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Wednesday, October 12th, 2016 AT 10:00 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Have auto parts scan for codes first then check fuel pressure with a gauge auto parts rent it. finally clean throttle plate on both sides and IAC hole with choke cleaner see link.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator
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Thursday, October 13th, 2016 AT 5:41 AM
Tiny
ERICA KIDWELL
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I had them try to scan it under the steering column, but it would not even work. They said to get a code I have changed the throttle positioning sensor because the old one was garbage. They checked the fuel for me and said it was in the proper range I will look into cleaning that. Thanks.
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Thursday, October 13th, 2016 AT 12:17 PM
Tiny
ERICA KIDWELL
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
It was bouncing at 52 psi.
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Thursday, October 13th, 2016 AT 12:21 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Spec is 52-59 psi if it was bouncing below 52 it may be a bad pump especially when heated up.
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Thursday, October 13th, 2016 AT 3:41 PM
Tiny
ERICA KIDWELL
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Now it dies putting it into gear and its an automatic the fuel pressure was in the range I am lost for words
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Thursday, October 20th, 2016 AT 5:19 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,895 POSTS
Hi ERICA,

When the car dies does it shudder when coming to a stop? If so try putting it into neutral. Those cars had a problem with the torque converter clutch failing apart which would lock the transmission to the engine hence the shutter.

Pleas let us know

Best, Ken
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Thursday, October 20th, 2016 AT 9:48 PM
Tiny
ERICA KIDWELL
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
It doesn't shutter it's as if someone just shut the car down like the injectors stopped
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Thursday, October 20th, 2016 AT 10:54 PM
Tiny
ERICA KIDWELL
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
It is a smooth shut down as if I turned the key off
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Thursday, October 20th, 2016 AT 10:54 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
This needs to be scanned for codes to see what is wrong if autoparts can't do it try another scanner or have a mechanic look at it due to the scanner hook up my have a bad connection as to why it' s not working and mechanic will need to see if this is the case.
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Friday, October 21st, 2016 AT 6:15 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,895 POSTS
It could also be a vacuum leak or a slow IAC motor both of which might not turn on the check engine light.

Here are a couple of guides to help you see what to do you what you are in for.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-idle-speed-control-motor-iac

Best, Ken
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Friday, October 21st, 2016 AT 9:10 AM

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