Engine stumbles, tach dies, stalling

[TopherS]

I'm having some problems with my 01 PA. I don't know if they're all related, hopefully so. The PA is not the Ultra model. Mileage is about 114,500 miles.

1. Occassionally, when at a stop sign or red light, the engine seems to stumble as if it were stalling. When it does, the tach goes to '0', but the car is still running fine. I can keep going all around town just fine, but the tach sits at '0' until I turn off the car and turn it back on. I've noticed that at most times, normal operating temp, that when at a stop sign, the engine is at 650 RPM.

2. Whenever I turn on my turn signal, the lighted display in the dash (Driver Info Center and gear designation display) will flicker very noticably at the moment I turn on the signal. It only barely seems to be affected by the clicking after that.

3. Most of the time, I drive around with the radio off. I can hear a lot of electrical interference through the speakers related to the speed of the engine.

4. Yesterday, at a stop sign, I went to go and halfway through the intersection, I heard a noise that sounded like my tires broke loose on wet pavement on accelleration and the car then clunked and stalled. It restarted right away, but now I'm concerned that upon leaving a stop, the car will stall, so I'm being extremely-overly-cautious when pulling into traffic, just in case.

I don't know if all the problems are related...they all seem to be electrical. I haven't had any warning lights going on. The car seems to be running like a top otherwise. I try to baby this car, as I can't afford a new car. It's not abused and gets all its preventative maintenance and any problems are fixed as soon as possible to avoid bigger problems. I've had it nearly 5 years. The battery was replaced about 3-4 years ago (w/ a 7-yr battery).

Thanks for your help.

[ZiggyPA]

How old are the ignition leads ? Have you checked these?

[TopherS]

Originally Posted by ZiggyPA

How old are the ignition leads ? Have you checked these?

That's a good question...I'm not sure how old they are. I want to say they're about 2-3 years old.

[HotZ28]

and the car then clunked and stalled. It restarted right away, but now I'm concerned that upon leaving a stop, the car will stall,

I had a similar problem with one my Ultra's last year, but only during cold weather. I removed the coils & ICM and cleaned all terminal contacts, as well as the back side of ICM & mount bracket & used dielectric grease on all contacts. Problem disappeared and has not returned. Strange, I know!

[012620]

Howdy Hotz28. This is not anything about Buicks. I like your Afghan Missile Launcher Cartoon. I have shared it with a few friends. Ouch!

[ghalacsy]

Take a look at the ground buss bar. it is locatedc next to the driver's door under the carpet. if there is any corrosion on it clean it off. I had similar problems with my '96 PA and it turned out to be the cause of all of my problems.