Alero stalls/won't start

I have a 2000 Alero w/the 2.4 motor. I've had the same problem twice now in different circumstances (with over 2 months in between).

1. Going 70 mph down the interstate, the car just dies. The car would turn over, but would not start. Had to get a tow. Next morning, the car starts just fine, runs like a top for over 2 months.
2. Went to parking lot at work to leave for lunch, car won't start. Turns over fine but just won't go. I walk to lunch. After work, car starts fine and runs great.

In the first instance I had just less than a 1/4 tank, in the second just over a 1/4 tank. One mechanic said my fuel pump had overheated due to the large number of miles related to the first event. It seems to me that if the fuel pump is going to go, it's going to go not just act up every couple of months like this. The car cranks, just doesn't seem like it's getting any fuel. I don't have a flashing security light or anything else unusual so it doesn't seem related to that.

Replacing the fuel pump is quite expensive and tough to do myself since it's in the tank, so I don't want take a chance that will solve this issue. Any ideas?

Its a long shot but check your fuel filter. It may be getting clogged every now and then. Its not hard to change yourself and its a cheap part.

I had the same problem except my gauge read 1\4 tank until after the car stalled then decided to read empty. after towing the car 40 miles home started and ran fine. Upon inspection noticed fuel filter clogged. replace, car has run since with one problem, I'm now getting about 5 mpg less than before. Computer diagnostic shows fuel pump is partial shorted and sending computer false values. There is also a service bulletin stating a malfunction in the fuel level gauge that will give false readings. Best recommendation is to fill tank and then keep an eye on the mileage.

check out my thread.

Mine stalled once and wouldnt start again. I linked it to the security light that on. It started with my brother came to pick me up. That was the only time the security thing happened while driving.

Alot of people in this forum seem to be having the same problems I've been having with my Alero. Here's my story (I like to tell long stories, so bare with me);

It all started about 6 months ago when I was driving home, returning from a road trip. When I was about 20 miles from home, my car stalled while I was going up a steep incline. Luckily I was traveling with my folks, so they we're able to take me home in their car. Anyways, Initially I tried restarting several times, but that didn't work. I checked my fuel guage and it was just below a 1/4 of a tank. It was getting late and I was tired, so I called a tow truck and had them tow it to the dealer.

The next day the dealer called me and told me that my battery was dead. I told him the hazard lights had drained the battery the night before while I was waiting for a tow truck. Anyways, I hung up the phone and he called back an hour later to tell me that he went ahead and charged the battery. He had also filled the tank while he was at it. He said the car started right up, no problems.

Feeling pretty stupid...I argued with him for the longest time that there was no way it could have been an empty tank, because each time I turned the car off and on again, the gauge went right back to 1/4 of a tank. I finally conceded that I had run the tank dry and blamed it on a faulty fuel gauge.

Anyways a month passes by and I take a road trip to Seattle. I'm driving on the interstate, up a gigantic hill just past Vantage (this time my tank is just below full), when all of sudden my car stalls again....Dejavu.

However, this time I wait five minutes and the car starts right up. I finally get to Seattle without any further problems. Prior to my return trip home, I decided to replace my fuel filter. Sure enough, I tried blowing through it and it was clogged. I thought...well that should do the trick. So I headed home back over the cascades without any problems.

Later that summer, I take another road trip to Seattle. You wouldn't believe it, but my damn car stalls again, in the same exact place just past Vantage. And again starts up after five minutes.

Anyways, I ended up coming over to this forum and noticed alot other people were having the same problem as myself. It seemed that some people had success with replacing the fuel pump.

So, I forked out the money and had the dealer replace the fuel pump ($100 - extended warranty). After he replaced the pump, he said lately they've been having lots of problems with fuel pumps (really?#&%^%!!).

To make my long story short...I've been driving this thing for 2-3 months now and have taken 2 more trips to seattle without any more incidents. Replacing the fuel pump, seemed to have cured the problem...we'll see.

Anyways, now I'm getting the infamous "Low Trac" light. Happens everytime I make a turn from a stop.

Oh...one more thing. Since I have bought this car, I have had the following car problems;

1) CD player replaced twice - disks would just spin and play the most clear static I have ever heard in my life. All happened within the first 2 months of owning it. I thinks someone was trying to forewarn me.
2) Front driver side power window motor replaced 3 times.
3) A/C/Heater blower motor replaced 1 time.
4) Blower motor resistor replaced twice.
5) Cruise control mechanical switch replaced. Wouldn't stay engaged. Cruise control worked great as long as I held the button in the entire time.
6) Fuel Pump replaced once.
7) Plastic Threshold in trunk replaced - POC design.

I guess that's not so bad...I've heard of worse...

I Currently have the Cruise Control Switch problem.