2001 gp se won't stay running

[cybermax]

I've got a 2001 gp 3.1 w/178,000 miles. The problem is that it will start but only run for 3 to 5 seconds. I thought it might me a fuel issue. I changed the fuel filter and checked the fuel pressure. The pressure is 54lbs. with the key on engine not running. Don't have a manual so I don't know if this is in specs or not.

When I crank the engine it starts and than will die in 3 to 5 seconds. The pressure still reads 50lbs. While the engine is running it seems to be running smoothly.

I disconnected the maf but it died after running 3 to 5 seconds. The car has new Delco plugs and wires about 3500 miles ago.

Does anyone have any ideas?

[tblake]

Remove and clean your IAC.

Can you keep it runing by putting your foot on the gas?

[buckeyeguy]

Does this have the fuel pump resistor? I had the same thing last summer. There are posts about it. Sounds like the a-typical symptom.

[cybermax]

Thanks for the reply. I took the IAC off and cleaned it up and replaced it. Same results as before, starts and then quits after 5 seconds.

If I push down on the gas pedal it makes no difference. Tried pumping the pedal with the same result.

Is there some way to test the injectors to see if they have power after it runs for the five second and then quits to see if that is the problem. Since there is fuel pressure it seems that it has to be electrical.

[cybermax]

Thanks for the reply. I don't think this year (2001) and model (SE 3.1) has the fuel pump resistor. There is only one pump rely in the fuse box.

[doctorhrdware]

It is possible that the relay is bad, you might be able to switch one from another location. Just make sure that the relay is the same. Or you could have a problem the ICM, which can cause the same problem that you are having.

[cybermax]

Originally Posted by doctorhrdware

It is possible that the relay is bad, you might be able to switch one from another location. Just make sure that the relay is the same. Or you could have a problem the ICM, which can cause the same problem that you are having.

I took the horn relay which had the same numbers as the fuel pump relay and switched the two. It didn't make any difference. There are no codes set. I don't have a scanner capable of reading the bcm, so I don't know about that. This thing is driving me crazy.

[CrazyHorst]

I think I'd be into the crank sensor before I did much more. Based on your mileage that seems like a likely possibility, and one you should eliminate/refresh anyway (at least in the world according to CrazyHorst). The fuel injection and ignition pulses come from the crank sensor. It is a possibility it is OK for the 3-5 seconds you mention and then it goes back into its failure mode after that many pulses of the reluctor ring.

[cybermax]

Thanks for the post. I replaced the crank sensor about six months ago when the harmonic balancer came apart. Since I had to remove the old harmonic balancer I thought I might as well just replace the crank sensor at the same time. Do you think it could go bad that soon? It was pretty cheap as I got it at AZ.

Still having the same problem. The engine will start and run 3 to 5 seconds and then quit. If I try to crank it again after it stops it will not restart. There is spark and fuel pressure (50). If I turn the key to off it will start and run for 3 to 5 seconds. Is this a computer issue?

[tblake]

Is the "sucurity" light lit or flashing?

Try using a different Key.

And just for reference there are two cranks position sensors on the 3100 in your car. One behind the harmonic balancer, and one on the back side of the block towards the firewall (which is not easy to change).

[cybermax]

Originally Posted by tblake

Is the "sucurity" light lit or flashing?

Try using a different Key.

And just for reference there are two cranks position sensors on the 3100 in your car. One behind the harmonic balancer, and one on the back side of the block towards the firewall (which is not easy to change).

Thanks for the reply. Yes the security light is blinking. I really don't know if it was before when the car was running fine. I tried another key, one that probably has been used less than 5 times since the car was purchased new, no difference. I tried to get the system to relearn both keys but it was a waste of 30 minutes each time.

Went back and looked through a bunch of posts in malibu forum about the pass key system about how to by pass part of the system. The only problem is the car has to be running when the wire is cut. Does the 3 to 5 seconds count if i can cut it when it is running?

I'm going to replace the crank sensor today as it is pretty cheap.

[tblake]

Don't worry about the crank sensor. Your problem sounds to me like it has to do with the security PK3 system.

Does the light flash quickly?

Try this, get out of the car, close all doors, lock the doors with the remote keypad, a few seconds later, unlock the car with the remote, then open the drivers door and try to start it.

Sounds stupid, but my g/f's 02 GP SE, once i made a wal-mart key for to play with PK3. I found that the car would start and stall if I entered the car with the wal-mart key and the security light would flash rapidly. However if I entered the car with the remote, the car would start and run off the non-transponder key but the security light would be illuminated continuously.

This however would not work with my 00 GTP for some reason. Maybe due to the year diference.

If you can get your car running, you would be able to get it to the dealer and they should be able to hook up a Tech2 and find out whats going on.

[tblake]

Originally Posted by tblake

.....Sounds stupid, but my g/f's 02 GP SE, once i made a wal-mart key for.....

:sarcasm1:

Sorry, I sounded like someone else we know....

However we always top of this car's gas tank too and the P0420 code has never came on.

[cybermax]

Originally Posted by tblake

Don't worry about the crank sensor. Your problem sounds to me like it has to do with the security PK3 system.

Does the light flash quickly?

Try this, get out of the car, close all doors, lock the doors with the remote keypad, a few seconds later, unlock the car with the remote, then open the drivers door and try to start it.

Sounds stupid, but my g/f's 02 GP SE, once i made a wal-mart key for to play with PK3. I found that the car would start and stall if I entered the car with the wal-mart key and the security light would flash rapidly. However if I entered the car with the remote, the car would start and run off the non-transponder key but the security light would be illuminated continuously.

This however would not work with my 00 GTP for some reason. Maybe due to the year diference.

If you can get your car running, you would be able to get it to the dealer and they should be able to hook up a Tech2 and find out whats going on.

Thanks for the help. I tried locking the car with the remote and then unlocking with remote and then starting but same results as before. Went to the junk yard to try to find a used ecm to see if that was the problem but couldn't find one. Thought about taking the computer out and bringing it to the dealership so they could scan to see if it checked out but they said their system had to be hooked through the car harness.

I forgot to add that the security light is flashing about once a second.

[cybermax]

Finally got it running. Don't really know what was the action that did it but this is what I did. First since I had the computer out I took it apart to see if I could see anything physically wrong with the board, chips, or the capacitor.

After inspecting the board the soldering looked ok. The chips didn't have any cracks or pin holes and the one capacitor wasn't bubbled up. There was however some fine grit on the board and in the two connectors. I blew these out with compressed air. I also took a fine pick and made sure each individual wire was pushed into each connector on the harness.

After this was finished I looked for any wires that were frayed or broken. Since this was a time consuming job I thought I would perform a relearn on the passkey system. After this was completed the car started right up.

Thanks to everyone who posted.