02 Impala Ls cuts off during driving

I need some suggestions. A couple of months ago I was driving at highway speed when my rpms just dropped and the engine cut off. The security light came on. I pulled over and within moments I started up and everything went to normal. Two days ago the same thing happened. I would start the car and when the engine idle to normal, the rpms would steadily drop until engine stall. I changed the fuel filter and also the IAC. Drove fine to work an hour away and on my return, it happaned again:banghead: . Today I read a thread here that was similar incident and bought a fuel pressure control valve. I don't know what else to check or if others are experiencing the same. I need some suggestions. Thanks to everyone.

sounds like a fuel pump, but if the security light lit up before the engine stalled then it may be the ignition passlock system crapping out.

By reading thread onpage #11, looks like Brandy had the same problem as mine. There is a reply of GM extending the CAT warranty to 10 yrs or 120k miles. But the letter from GM is for the 2001. Does anyone knows if this include 2002 also? By the way my Impala has 74,600 miles in it and I 'm already hearing a metal rattling noise from under the vehicle around the area of the CAT. I'm also changing the Fuel Pressure Control tomorrow. I keep doing the work myself and it's driving me nuts. Just trying to save some money before I have to take it to a mechanic. Thanks

I would be surprised (and I have been before) if it was the passlock system, I wouldn't think that if the passlock system detected an error while driving that it would shut down the engine then and there, not intentionally anyway. Sounds like lawsuit city if that happened.

By reading thread onpage #11, looks like Brandy had the same problem as mine. There is a reply of GM extending the CAT warranty to 10 yrs or 120k miles. But the letter from GM is for the 2001. Does anyone knows if this include 2002 also? By the way my Impala has 74,600 miles in it and I 'm already hearing a metal rattling noise from under the vehicle around the area of the CAT.

The CAT warranty extension covers the '02 model. See below.


Dear General Motors Customer:

As the owner of a 2001-02 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo; Pontiac Grand Prix; or Buick Regal model vehicle, equipped with a 3.4L or 3.8L V6 engine, your satisfaction with our product is very important to us.

This letter is intended to make you aware that some 2001-02 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo; Pontiac Grand Prix; and Buick Regal model vehicles, equipped with a 3.4L or 3.8L V6 engine, may have a condition where the catalytic converter is replaced due to complaints of lack of power or illumination of the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL). This may be due to the front endcone insulation from the catalytic converter breaking away and blocking the front of the first catalyst brick and preventing the free flow of exhaust gas through the converter.

This is not a recall. Do not take your vehicle to your GM dealer as a result of this letter unless you believe that your vehicle has the condition as described above.

What We Have Done
General Motors is providing owners with additional protection for the Catalytic Converter. If this condition occurs on your 2001-02 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo; Pontiac Grand Prix; or Buick Regal model vehicle, equipped with a 3.4L or 3.8L V6 engine, within 10 years of the date your vehicle was originally placed in service or 120,000 miles (190,000 km), whichever occurs first, the condition will be repaired for you at no charge .

What You Should Do
Repairs and adjustments qualifying under this special coverage must be performed by a General Motors dealer. You may want to call the service department at your dealer to find out how long they will need to have your vehicle so that you may schedule the appointment at a time that is convenient for you. This will also allow your dealer to order parts if they are not already in stock. Keep this letter with your other important glove box literature for future reference.

I need some suggestions. A couple of months ago I was driving at highway speed when my rpms just dropped and the engine cut off. The security light came on. I pulled over and within moments I started up and everything went to normal. Two days ago the same thing happened. I would start the car and when the engine idle to normal, the rpms would steadily drop until engine stall. I changed the fuel filter and also the IAC. Drove fine to work an hour away and on my return, it happaned again:banghead: . Today I read a thread here that was similar incident and bought a fuel pressure control valve. I don't know what else to check or if others are experiencing the same. I need some suggestions. Thanks to everyone.

I would get it put on a engine/body computer capable scanner and check for any present and stored codes.
Post back any code no.
Any add on stuff like remote start or anti theft?
Does the security all ways go out after key on bulb check/
Does it come on before engine dyes?

I had the same issue about a year ago... my car would just die while driving, I would pull to the curb and then it would start right up. the dealer wanted to replace the engine wiring harness which cost about $1,500.00. i decided to get other opinions. The mechanic at the dealer helped me out and recommended a mechanic that specalized in electronic issues. The mechanic determined that I had a broken ignition wire that had enough contact to start the car but standard road conditions would cause the contact to break and the car would die. I would recommend you look into that. Good Luck.

Also the problem I had did not throw any type of code that a scanner would pick up

Yes, I was thinking of a bad ignition switch/wire or even BCM if the PK2 light was comming on.