Crank Shaft Sensor --- OR --- Other ignition problems?

[starla3366]

Vehicle:

'93 Chevy Lumina
3.1 V6
VIN "T"

Recent problems:

High Idle - Fixed
Powersteering Pressure leak - Fixed


New Problem:

Stalling when hot




Symptom:

While driving on the high way the other day for about 20 min, the car just shut down. I lost my brakes and steering at 65 MPH. It was not fun. Then, not to much further down the road, it did it again. It kept stalling at driving speeds until I made it home. NO CODES

I let it cool down a little, checked the spark plug connections thinking maybe one of the connections came loose after my most recent plug change. NO JOY. Then I wrapped up everthing and my tools, and she started right up. I went back out for a test run, and once again, about 20 min into the drive she shut down again. Now, when the car stalls it is even harder to start. It cranks and cranks and doesn't start. Unless I leave the car to cool down for a few, she won't start. I nearly fried my starter, hah hah.



Troubleshot:

-Put all new 6 plugs in AGAIN
-New plug wires
-researched the net



What it all boils down to:


1: The Crankshaft sensor Crapped out
2: The Ignition Control Module Crapped out
3: All three coils Crapped out (only when hot)
4: A blown fuse somewhere
5: Should I just sell the damn thing?





How many crankshaft sensor are there. Haynes has confused me on what I've got under the hood. As far as I know, I only have one, and that is the 7X Crankshaft sensor. But I thought that one is only for RPM's Below 300. Do I have a 24X sensor? If so, where is it. I am working on removing the 7X right now. But, I'm a little afraid this might not solve my gripe, because there maybe a 24X sensor. The symptoms sound more of a 24X sensor than a 7X. But the Haynes only says there is One Crankshaft sensor for my year/make/model.

Oh, and I found the easiest way to get the 7X Sensor off is to rock the engine forward and the reach all the way down between the firwall and the rear exhaust manifold. Sounds like fun huh.





If anyone else feels, I'm on the right track, please let me know. Thanks

[tblake]

check that ignition module first of all. Did you check for spark after it stalls out and wont start? Are your sure its ignition related. I know some places (autozone) can test ignition modules for you. That would confirm or rule out a problem with it. Just my 2 cents worth again. Good luck with it.

[starla3366]

Too late,

I already bought a new crankshaft sensor. It did not fix my gripe.

I am now going to go ahead and rule out the ignition module. I may just go to the junk yard and pick up three coils and the module.

Does anyone at all think it may be a bad fuel pump. I just would hate to drop the fuel tank to R/R a expensive part like that.

I think I've invested enough TIME/MONEY into the car to just go ahead and blow it to pieces. Anyone fair game?

[euro91]

I would check that module and the coils,but it could well be the fuel pump.
Did you check for spark when it wouldn't re-start?Some 1 else asked but I don't remember seeing you answer.If you did I apologise.
I know what you are saying about the different crank sensors-my chilton seems to clearly show both a 3x as well as a 24x sensor.--but when I changed mine -the parts store didn't ask which one-and i got the correct one.
It's been several years ago,but i thought I remember the one i changed was toward the rear of the enging bay and a real brute to get out.
The book however is showing the 24x up front near the oil filter,I am going to have to look under it and see .It would appear we may indeed have two differrent sensors.
By the way mine wasn't the sensor at the fault after all-it turned out to be the ECM itself, even though it was messing up after the car had warmed up.it never threw a code either.But it was displaying one additional sympton that yours doesn't seem to be doing--My darn speedometer would drop from speed top zero and stay there for a mile or 2 and then climb back to speed shortly before the shutdown.

[Manny_boy]

I wouldn't rule out your ignition module yet. What you have sounds like heat soak. Here's a link that shows you how to check your ignition module & coils: http://members.fortunecity.com/slade...leshooting.htm

[Hyperbusa_al]

Sounds like what happened to my 91 3.1L "T" motor. It just quit altogether. It was the ignition control mod. I had it checked at autozone, the gal there put mine on the tester, "nothing", dead completely. Then she put on a new one, "Va Voommmm!!" , it came alive. It cost me $107 and was hard to change (under front exhaust manifold), but it did the trick. She also checked the coils, they are a little weak, but it was the Ignition Control Module. Don't give up on the idea of "bad ICm" until you have it checked, it just might be your problem.

[starla3366]

Originally Posted by Manny_boy

I wouldn't rule out your ignition module yet. What you have sounds like heat soak. Here's a link that shows you how to check your ignition module & coils: http://members.fortunecity.com/slade...leshooting.htm

Thanks,

I just R/R'ed my complete Ignition module assy., including the coils. I bought the entire assy for $37 from the local junk yard. I did however have to switch the mounting bracket, as the one that was originally on there was completly different.

Now, It wasn't to difficult, and I did not have to remove anything to get to it. However, I was not able to get the middle mounting bolt back in. But, I am happy as each side is mounted down pretty tightly.

I haven't really got a chance to see how it acts under a high temp condition, but I did take it to work with absolutely no problem what so ever. So, I think this may have solved this gripe. I will keep everyone here informed as to what it does.

[starla3366]

Ok, This Gripe has been solved.

I changed the Ignition module Assy, including all 3 coils.

Cost: $36 from boneyard

I just got back from a 6 hour road trip, totalling about 300 miles. I had no sign of the car stalling. She ran great, if not better off the line too.


Once again,

thanks to everyone here, it's the least i can do without sending you money, hah hah

tony