1994 grand am stalling

[datslegne]

My grand am starts great - no problem there. Sometimes going forward, the battery warning light comes on and the car dies. It will start right back up and keep running. Any ideas? The car has been in to the shop - cables were dirty and has been cleaned and tightened to the battery. They couldn't reproduce the problem and sent it home.

[GTP Dad]

You don't say what size engine or how many miles but it sounds like you may have a crank position sensor going bad. The battery light is coming on due to the engine dying. Although you may want to have your alternator tested just to make sure it is still working. If the alternator is weak or not working at all it can cause the car to stall.

[datslegne]

Sorry --- 94,000 miles --- 4 cylinder(?) After 4 days in the shop (until they could reproduce the problem they couldn't help - we went to pick it up and it died on the way out - go figure!)... well, they then jumped in and drove around. After putting it back in the shop -- they called and said they need to install a new computer - and would look for an used one. Does this make sense?

[skibum1111]

The computer controls the alternator, so yes its possible, but with 94k miles I would start asking why the computer is bad. I have a 95 with 242k miles and the computer is original, never had a problem with it. I have heard of ecm's going bad, but not very often. Have your alternator tested to make sure its not overcharging.

[datslegne]

OK - questioned the shop guy some more. First asked him why he thought it was the computer -- he replied that their computer indicated a message of "fuel is lean" - which makes him think it is the computer. When questioned if it could be the crank position sensor he said "no because the car would start back up.". Should I let him install the computer - he found an used one to put in. We said we wouldn't pay for it if it doesn't fix the problem. Keep in mind - we live in a very small town!!!!

[skibum1111]

I seriously doubt its the computer. Fuel is lean could mean a bunch of different things: Clogged injectors, bad fuel filter or pump, fuel pressure regulator, maf sensor, o2 sensor to name a few. Pull your plugs check them, if they look ok run some fuel injector cleaner lucas makes a good one, see if the problem persists.

[GTP Dad]

Unfortunately, I have to disagree with the mechanic. Intermittant stalling with no code in the computer almost always leads to the CPS. It is a cheap install vs a new ecm that is why the garage wants to put in the new computer. More Money! Have them change the cps and see what happens.
Other items can cause this issue like skibum1111 says but your car runs well otherwise. Just my 2 cents!!!

[datslegne]

HA! They changed the computer - called us and we drove 50 feet and guess what!!!!! IT DIED AGAIN.

Back to square one - I gave my husband the list that you all have provided to be checked and he is asking them if those items were checked out.

I'm getting rather angry! Thank you all so much for your ideas!!!!!

[GTP Dad]

Please let us know what the final problem turns out to be! It is very important to those of us who frequent the forum to find out what the actual problems were.

[datslegne]

Just an update --
Changed computer as stated above, also:
1) Changed O2 Sensor - died
2) Changed valves - died
3) Changed ignition module - drove it all day yesterday and died this morning after going 10 feet.

Will bring it back to the shop tomorrow to try something else.

[urscheler]

Have Grand Am 3.1 95. Similar or same problem.
Car ran fine. After 2 week vacation (Car left outisde, unused) experience stalling problem.
For a week now I drive mainly 2-footed, since the car stalls often on a turn or a traffic light/stop. Most often the stalling and problems starting happen not in the morning, but after driving ~30min and waiting ~5min. This is usually when going to the grocery store.
A couple of the spark plug connector wires were very corroded, cleaned them, but still the same problem. Also changed PCV valve and put fuel injector cleaner in fuel, same problem.

I see this problem on several sites online, but no where can I find what the problem is. It seems even the shops and/or dealers don't know.

Roger

[datslegne]

Well, the car is going on 5 days without stalling (and hoping by posting this that I don't jinx it!).

The Idle Air Control Valve was replaced and seems to be doing the trick. ($53 dollar part -- labor unknown at this time).

Now, it will just take time to trust the car again. Will let you know if any stalling problems occur again or if the Idle Air Control Valve did it.jj

[lipstrace]

Originally Posted by datslegne

My grand am starts great - no problem there. Sometimes going forward, the battery warning light comes on and the car dies. It will start right back up and keep running. Any ideas? The car has been in to the shop - cables were dirty and has been cleaned and tightened to the battery. They couldn't reproduce the problem and sent it home.

I had a similar problem with my old 98 grand am. Found out it was the starter coil.

[datslegne]

Bad news - today it has stalled two times this morning. It was fine for two weeks. Back to square one. Back to the shop.

[GTP Dad]

You have changed everything but what is causing the problem. Have the CPS changed and you shouldn't have any further problems with the car stalling. It is a $50 part and will cost about the same to have it changed.