Still shutting off while driving

Tiny
BELARTHUR
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 3.4L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
They have checked the fuel pressure and it was okay. They replaced the spark plugs and wires (again). They also replaced the EGR (ERG?) Valve. It drove eight miles then it shut off with no warning again. What else do you guys suggest?
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2017 AT 11:47 AM

62 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like the crankshaft angle sensor has given out which will not give you a trouble code most of the time here is a guide to help you see what you are in for when doing the job and the location of the sensor below.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/crankshaft-angle-sensor-replacement

this guide can help as well

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-stalls

Here is the sensor locations for both engine just in case.

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2017 AT 12:06 PM
Tiny
JOHNNY G.JR
  • MECHANIC
  • 320 POSTS
Thank you so much I got the sensor $46.00 and the car has never run better. I love this site.
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2017 AT 1:45 PM
Tiny
CBRIDGE72
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  • 2 POSTS
  • 2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 110,586 MILES
My car will shut off when driven awhile and later starts up when it sits for a short period. Can I get money back even though its been only two weeks and I bough it as is
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Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 AT 3:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
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I dont know if you can get your money back. But if you bring the car back to them, they will mostlikely fix the situation, I dont think it is as serious as you may think. Several things could be causing this, but I would first consider the crank position sensor, oldsmobiles tend to have this problem a lot. However, every car can have this problem
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Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 AT 3:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CBRIDGE72
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There is no check engine light, but last time I had to jump it to get it running because something was draining the battery and I had to tap the fuel pump to get it running
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Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 AT 3:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
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Strange, check the fuel pump relay, I will also give you something that will show you how to check for a parasitic drain. I still suspect the crank sensor, but now with the new info, I also suspect something to do with fuel too. Like the pump. I would check the fuel pressure and spark. Too, this will determine which direction to go.
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Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 AT 3:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
UABUSINESS
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  • 1 POST
  • 2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
Today when I drove on the free way at about 75mph, engine rpm was about 2200rpm. The engine suddenly shut off, at first the engine rpm shaked between 1000-1500 rpm for 1-2 seconds, then shut down to zero.

It happened last Dec. When I drove on the free way, exactly the same way. But after I tried to start several time, about 20 minutes later, it can run and and I drove it well while nothing wrong with it until today.

Today, I tried to start again, it seemed that the ignition worked and engine run to 200-500 rpm, shaked and dropped to zero again. I tried several time. The engine still won't work. I asked AAA to tow it to a local shop, at the first shop( it is a junkyard), one person tried to start( about 1.5 hour later), won't work, he asked me to tow to their another shop. 20 minutes later, we reach another shop. This time the car can start!(About 2 hours away from the time the engine shut down), amazing. After diagnosed the car, the mechanics can't tell me the exact problem and his suggestion was to change a crankshaft position sensor.(He though maybe the sensor was overheated and shut down the engine. But after it cooled down, it will not affect the engine). Since I am in a hurry, I declined and paid him the diagnose fee. And drove all the way down home ( another 150 miles), Now it runs like nothing happen.

Btw. The mechanics has read 4 codes from engine which were: 1106,1189,1404 and0420. I knew that 1404 and 0420 were always there, and even 0420 was there for more than one year ( the engine light was on for about 1 year), The men tell me that 1106 and 1189 had also nothing to do with the engine shut down.

Any idea? Thanks
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Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 AT 3:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
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From what your telling me, I am going to have to agree with the bad crankshaft sensor, through knowledge of cars and my own personal experience. When the sensor starts to go bad. Everytime it gets hot it will create an open circuit and shut down. When it cools off, the circuit becomes whole again. Then opens once it get hot. It will just keep going back and forth untill it gets worse and worse, then your stranded. Let me know what happens
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Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 AT 3:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
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https://www.2carpros.com/first_things/why_is_my_car_battery_dead_over_night.htm
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Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 AT 3:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
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https://www.2carpros.com/how_to/how_do_i_check_a_relay.htm
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Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 AT 3:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JJAMES0329
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  • 2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 271,000 MILES
I have a 2000 old alero and it wont stay running. It will turn over and idle but it idles low and when I put it into gear and give it gas and release the gas it dies.I have changed the fuel filter and I can hear the fuel pump kick on when I turn the key over. Can you tell me whats wrong with my car?
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Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 AT 3:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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I would suspect the fuel pump pressure is too low to make the motor run. I would have this checked to verify before throwing on in.

Roy
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Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 AT 3:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JJAMES0329
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Ok thanks but how would you check that?
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Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 AT 3:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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You can rent a pressure tester from a parts store to verify. It should be 40-45 lbs.

Roy
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Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 AT 3:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JJAMES0329
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Ok I dont have the money to rent one. And I figuerd something out every-time I disconnect the negative battery terminal and let it sit for about 20 mins and reconnect it it starts right up and will drive with no problem but when I shut it off and try to start it again it does it all over. Would that mean that my fuel pump is going out or could it be something else?
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Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 AT 3:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RCASILLAS26
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  • 2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 115,000 MILES
Engine Power was lost while driving on the highway. Steering locked up. After complete stop attempting to restart and it would not. I waited about 10 minutes. It started up with a very heavy rumble. Then about 2 minutes of driving and the engine died again and the steering locked up. I waited 20 minutes this time. It started up, no heavy rumble, made it home okay and here I am. The fluids were find. The air filter and sparks were fine (i just changed them along with the wires 6 weeks ago). Could it be electrical or fuel related? Please advise?
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Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 AT 3:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
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- For starters have the PCM (computer) scanned for codes. If the PCM sees a problem it will store a code that will help in diagnosing the problem, get back with the exact codes. If none are present it may be fuel related. Have the fuel pump checked for good pressure and flow.
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Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 AT 3:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RCASILLAS26
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Scaned for codes but nothing. I hear the fuel pump kick in.
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Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 AT 3:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
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Need to check for spark and fuel pressure, just because the pump is running doesnt mean it is making enough pressure to run the engine
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Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 AT 3:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RLBUTTA16
  • MEMBER
  • 53 POSTS
  • 2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 187,000 MILES
My Alero starts up with no problems, does not shutter or choke while driving either. After a few minutes of driving it occasionally will try to stall when accelerating from a complete stop(stop signs, traffic, red lights), especially on an incline. I recently had to tighten the catalytic converter to the muffler with some coat hanger wires and a new clamp to hold it in place, and it does not seem loose. I did recently find out I lost a lot of oil after my last oil change. The dipstick indicated the oil barely made it to the letter A in then "Add" portion of Add 1 Quart. The oil change was maybe 2 months ago. I added fresh oil and it seemed to run better, but the problem remains.

Any ideas of a place to start checking/testing? I will be doing a scan at Advance Auto Parts today and bring back any codes I receive.

The car doesn't stall in any gear aside from the first gear and only attempts to stall from a stop/incline. Any information you can provide is appreciated.

This will be updated as I go along.
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Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 AT 3:42 PM (Merged)

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