Help! Car Died, Mechanic says computer went out

[kansassweetheart]

I was driving my 1997 Chevy Lumina to Arkansas when I noticed the service light on. I stopped by an Auto Parts where they hooked it up to the machine and said it was a sensor. I proceeded on my drive when I noticed the car missing as I accelerated. The car wanted to die everytime I went up a hill. I put the car in drive and it did much better. However, it died going down a hill. It would start and idle fine, but when I would step on the accelerater it would die. The mechanic at the Fort Scott garage said the computer went out and it would be over $700 to fix. I seem to think it has to do with the fuel lines, injectors, pump or something of that nature. I had just filled up with gas before it began missing. I did dump some gas treatment in the car. The mechanic did a test on the fuel pump which read that it was fine (40psi?). He also said the fuel injectors were fine. I guess I don't understand about the computer. Would it act like that? or just quit and not start anything? We couldn't get it started for the last day and then today it started and sounded horrible. I am afraid of starting it again and ruining anything else.

Does anyone have a suggestion? Oh, I did replace the spark plugs a few weeks ago and the fuel filter because it was stalling at lights and low speed.

[1972chevelless]

[quote=kansassweetheart]I was driving my 1997 Chevy Lumina to Arkansas when I noticed the service light on. I stopped by an Auto Parts where they hooked it up to the machine and said it was a sensor. I proceeded on my drive when I noticed the car missing as I accelerated. The car wanted to die everytime I went up a hill. I put the car in drive and it did much better. However, it died going down a hill. It would start and idle fine, but when I would step on the accelerater it would die. The mechanic at the Fort Scott garage said the computer went out and it would be over $700 to fix. I seem to think it has to do with the fuel lines, injectors, pump or something of that nature. I had just filled up with gas before it began missing. I did dump some gas treatment in the car. The mechanic did a test on the fuel pump which read that it was fine (40psi?). He also said the fuel injectors were fine. I guess I don't understand about the computer. Would it act like that? or just quit and not start anything? We couldn't get it started for the last day and then today it started and sounded horrible. I am afraid of starting it again and ruining anything else.

Does anyone have a suggestion? Oh, I did replace the spark plugs a few weeks ago and the fuel filter because it was stalling at lights and low speed.[/quote check the fuel in the car . I've had three cars lately that the gasoline was no good . there is a fuel pressure test port on your car . get some fuel from it on a pocket knife get away from car and light .if it barely lights with no small explosion and the gas has no kick.maybe bad gas . this is a long shot . may be bad computer .I'm not there to troubleshoot.

[sad-lumina-owner]

replacing the car computer is like swapping out a hard drive on your home computer.

For $700, I'd go to a local wrecker and get one off them for maybe $50 or so.

You'll need a small wrench, or screwdriver and pliers to pull the old one out.

On my /94 its under the hood on the left (passenger side) at the front. It looks like a metal box with some big plugs on the side that the wiring harness connects to.

Here's a video showing someone installing a PCM (car computer) in a Chrysler.
Removing a PCM:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jT8ZiLYydKM&NR=1

Installing a new PCM:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCpZHICcWAA

[Schrade]

"Show me the bad computer!!!"

Run from that mechanic. Tell the next one to SHOW you, with a multimeter, a computer that is not putting out a signal, on a wire that is supposed to do that.

Address the code for the other sensor. What was it?

[DnaProRacing]

$700 for a new computer? must be a dell!!!
if any mechanic quotes that much for a part that is under 250, go somewhere else. got mine installed for $225 labor included...
the missing on accel does sound like plugs. double check the plugs and wires. could be the coils as well. test all of these before replacing the computer...

[wafrederick]

GM ECMs can be used over and over again and GM is the only one that does this.Bring the old one with you when going to the wrecking yard,they need the numbers off the old ECM to match it.One out of a Monte Carlo,Pontiac Grand Prix,Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and Buick Regal will work since they are all "W" bodies.

[richtazz]

When the "auto parts" store read the codes, what sensor did they say was the problem? Did you get the actual code or just their definition? If you have the actual PXXXX code, post it please.