Car wouldn't stay on, and then did???

Valley olds · 07-29-2009, 06:47 PM

Hey everyone. Today, I went on a quick errand to a store. When I got out, the car would not stay on. It would turn on, but then would immediately shut down. I stayed messing there for like 5 minutes, until it finally stayed on. I then went home, shut the car off, and turned it on again. It acted normal again. Anyone know what it could be? The security light wasn't flashing.

Valley olds · 07-29-2009, 08:31 PM

Well, tomorrow Im changing the fuel filter, spark plugs, and air filter. Hopefully itll be either the plugs or fuel filter.

Bad99Olds · 07-29-2009, 08:51 PM

The only experience i ever had with anything like this was my buddy stuck a turbonator (i know) in his car, and stuck it right before the tb, so it would slide down and contact, causing the car to shut off. Outside of that, i have no idea. But your POA sounds logical. My guess would be something in the electrical if that fails.

Redog · 07-29-2009, 09:23 PM

Happened to mine when the alternator took a crap.

Drove the car for about 10 miles all on battery

Valley olds · 07-29-2009, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Bad99Olds: The only experience i ever had with anything like this was my buddy stuck a turbonator (i know) in his car, and stuck it right before the tb, so it would slide down and contact, causing the car to shut off. Outside of that, i have no idea. But your POA sounds logical. My guess would be something in the electrical if that fails.

I dont think its my turbonator. I have it very securely mounted and wired. lol jk I also have a feeling its going to be something electrical.

Quote:

Redog: Happened to mine when the alternator took a crap.

Drove the car for about 10 miles all on battery

Looks like Ill have to check my alt too. Hopefully it wont be anything too big. I was actually planning on some modding.

Bad99Olds · 07-29-2009, 10:56 PM

I figured you probably didnt have one of those, but its always worth a shot. Haha. My guess would be alt, wires, ignition, something in that general area.

Gr1m · 07-30-2009, 09:41 AM

im gonna say loose connection with your PCM fuse in the drivers fuse box or something with your ignition cylinder that is causing you to crank the car without all of the components being on. could also be your security light

surreal_awakening · 07-30-2009, 09:50 AM

Failing fuel pump maybe?

lonnie · 07-30-2009, 10:11 AM

I know when I flip my passlock II bypass switch before I start my car it will do the same thing....wonder if it is a security issue...ie passlock II fault? Good luck!

jlong · 07-30-2009, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surreal_awakening

Failing fuel pump maybe?

Good guess. I have seen that happen before on a chevy lumina. It will just get worse and worse. I don't know how to test the fuel pump though.

jackal2000 · 07-30-2009, 01:24 PM

is it stalling in gear or in park? these cars (3400 at least) is less likely to stall in gear for whatever reason. i learned that from spruce on gagt.com when we were working on my VE tune. if you have this issue in the future throw it in gear as fast as you can.

Valley olds · 07-30-2009, 03:37 PM

After yesterdays incident, it hasn't happened again. From yesterday to today, I have turned the car on around 10 times with no issues.

I just finished changing my plugs and fuel filter. Plugs seemed ok. Fuel filter was pretty clogged though. Sure hope it was that, and me running a clogged filter didnt mess up my fuel pump.
The PCM fuse seems ok. Tomorrow I am taking the car to the mechanic to check an issue I had with smoke coming out of my steering wheel a while back. Maybe these incidents are somehow linked.

Quote:

lonnie: I know when I flip my passlock II bypass switch before I start my car it will do the same thing....wonder if it is a security issue...ie passlock II fault? Good luck!

What do you do when you have the passlock issue? Maybe thats what it was and thats why it didnt happen anymore.

Quote:

jackal2000: is it stalling in gear or in park? these cars (3400 at least) is less likely to stall in gear for whatever reason. i learned that from spruce on gagt.com when we were working on my VE tune. if you have this issue in the future throw it in gear as fast as you can.

It stalled in park. If it happens again, Ill try putting it in gear fast, that way at least it wont leave me stranded.

AGT · 07-30-2009, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valley olds

Tomorrow I am taking the car to the mechanic to check an issue I had with smoke coming out of my steering wheel a while back...

Man talk about drive it like you stole it...

All the connections were okay including battery post connections?

Valley olds · 07-30-2009, 03:48 PM

Lol, yeah, I thought that was weird, Its only done it like 2 to 3 times though. Little puffs of smoke would come out of the steering wheel for a couple seconds. I just redid the battery connections today. They seemed to be good.

cavaliers60 · 07-30-2009, 04:04 PM

where's the fuel filter located? I probably should check mine. Have never checked it since I bought it a few years ago. lol

Valley olds · 07-30-2009, 04:33 PM

Fuel filter is behind the fuel tank.

07-30-2009, 05:30 PM

that happened to me but it was my BCM. Glad to hear you got it working tho. Id get your alt tested. They do it for free at the autoparts store.