2002 Pontiac Grand Prix wont continue running after starting

[rjkkharr]

I was driving my car to work and was at highway speed. Engine did not quit running but rapidly lost power. I pulled to emergency lane and pumped gas and was able to limp off the next exit. When I stopped in the gas station car quit running. The car now intermittently starts and will idle smoothly for about 5 seconds and then stall as if it is out of gas (it isn't) Need a starting point. I'm pretty sure it is fuel related. If it was a fuel pump would it even start? Car has about 160,000 miles on it. Any help would be appreciated.

[LMP]

FIrst clue we need all: is check engine light ON ? If yes have a code scan....SOME problems will not illuminate the CEL...and this tells something too...
Will it run for a while when cold ? .....

[rjkkharr]

Check engine light was not on prior and it doesn't stay running long enough to determine if it is on due to fault or it just hasn't cleared from start up. It only runs very briefly (3-5 seconds) idols at about 900 rpm and then sputters to a stop.

[Tech II]

Almost sound like a Passlock problem, were the car cranks and starts with an initial injector pulse, and then the the vehicle shuts down.....

What I would do is have someone start the car, then spray carb cleaner into the intake....if it runs as long as you spray, you know you have a fuel delivery problem......either fuel pressure is bad(check with a gauge) due to a bad pump, or the injectors are not firing(this usually happens when you have a SECURITY problem(sets B2958 or B2960).....

Also, is this a SC'd engine, regular 3.8, or 3.1/3.4?

As previously asked, check for "P" and "B" codes....

[rjkkharr]

Ok Tech II. I think you are on to something. The "Security" light is flashing and I remember something similar too this a couple of years ago with this car when I had to get a key cut and didn't realize it was a chip key. It is an OEM key. What else could cause the security issue. First steps??? Thanks

[rjkkharr]

I did forget it is a normally aspirated 3.8L (GT)

[indyram]

So did you get a new key or are you using a non-chipped key? Do you have another key you can try?

-Ryan

[rjkkharr]

Ok. So here is the update. Looking for next steps.
1) The key is not new. It came with the car
2) I left the key on and it killed the battery and after jump starting it started right up. Ran for about 30 min and it quit again with the same symptoms.
3) The security light continues to flash which I now firmly believe the security system is turning the injectors off.
4) I went through the 30 minute relearn procedure and did not get the security light to clear.
5) What other reasons could the security system be causing this and how do I get it to clear?

Thanks in advance for any assistance

[Tech II]

You say this is a "chip" key...then it is not PassLock, it is PassKey II or III......

II has a visible black resistor pellet in the key......III has a transponder in the key head(usually has PK3 stamped on the key)....which do you have?

[rjkkharr]

The key is stamped PK3M.

[Tech II]

Unfortunately it is PK3......if it was PK2 it is a relatively easy fix...

Very rarely is it the key that is the problem(if it is, it takes 30 minutes to program a new key)......the two problems I have run into are:

The exciter ring comes loose on the lock cylinder and has to be pushed back into place, engaging the tabs....

The other is, an aftermarket starter has been added to the system and has compromised the wiring.......if that is the case, it has to be removed, wires repaired and a new exciter ring installed(this is because the after market wiring cuts into the exciter ring harness, damaging it)....

Otherwise, you need to go to a GM shop......they will have a scanner capable of diagnosing your problem.....