91 Lumina 3.1 V6 quits when it feels like it..

[Farr52]

This has been a nightmare week with my car. I recently had the fuel pump replaced when the car would not start. It's been fine for awhile and once again it is quitting on me and the garage cannot determine the problem. I went back to them thinking maybe the fuel pump was defective, because it seemed like it wasn't getting gas. They put another one in and same thing. It will go for awhile, then quit and if you let it sit for an hour or so, it will start up. The garage could not get it to quit, just seemed to happen to me, so they basically said they couldn't help me because until it doesn't start they can't determine the problem. After every tow into them it has started up. From reading the posts it seems it could be a number of things. If I'm correct the problem now is, it's not getting spark...it is getting gas. What I want to know is, I was given an ignition module from a friend to try and I don't know how to put it in or where it goes. I figure I might as well try it and see what happens. It has the part number on it and I'm sure I can find on the internet if it is the correct one, it should be since it was for his 91 Lumina. Just need someone to tell me where it goes....believe me I'm no mechanic but if I have the info I can do it....thanks......Nancy

[tblake]

yes ignition module sounds like the culprit, either that or the crank position sensor, or ecm. Since you were given an IM, go ahead and swap them . Follow the plug wires to where they plug onto, these are your coul packs, you will have 3. They are bolted onto the ignition module. You can usually pull the whole assembly out with a few bolts, and a place like autozone will be able to test ignition mdules for you. If it tests good, have them test it again to get her nice and hot. Richtaz will be along shortly with his wisdom. But i'll give you a heads up, find the ecm while its running and give it a knock with a screwdriver handle. If the idle changes or anything happens, replace the ecm.

[jeffcoslacker]

I think yours (coil packs and module) are mounted down by the radiator on the front of the motor where they are kinda hard to work with, but the coilpacks are stacked on top of the module, it lays flat under them....if you have the part to look at, and follow your plug wires down to the coilpacks, you'll see how it goes...

[richtazz]

Before you remove the coil packs/module, try an ECM (main computer) tap test like Tblake suggested. The ECM is mounted in the passenger side fenderwell, under the plastic cover that the radiator overflow bottle is mounted to. Start the car, let it warm up, and then tap on the ECM with a screwdriver handle or rubber mallet. If the car stumbles or stalls, you have a bad ECM. These are a common problem due to being mounted under the hood and exposed to the elements, (especially OEM part number/service number 1227727). The ignition module is mounted to a metal plate on the front of the engine below the front exhaust manifold. Disconnect the battery, as one of the bolts is close to the starter solenoid and you don't want to any arc welding. The two end bolts are easy, the middle one on top is done by braille. Sometimes it's easier to remove the coils first so you can get to that top bolt.