1st time SHE ever STALLED!

[93buicklesabrelmtd]

today I was pulling into the store, when I came to a stop, my lesabre just stalled. it was strange, so I waited then atempted to start, she didnt want to, then she fired up!
I drove 1/4 mile, at very slow speeds, under 25mph so RPM was about 1 or so.. she stalled again...
I tought it could want more gas, so I added 3 gallons, after I rolled to the next gas station..

she wouldnt start at all at the gas station. it was real embarasing... so I let her roll out the gas station to the firestation next door. she started in that parking lot.. I was totally confused now...

I quickly got onto the interstate to head straight home. she drove 100% perfect on the interstate, as soon as I got off my exit and came to a complete stop after car gears down as usual........ THEN I watched my rpm, go from 1000, 500, 400, then STALL. It started straight up, then I jetted to the house taking the back way.

Now the problem only seems to occur under 1000rpm.. or in that range...
When the car is starting to stall, the computer tries to give it more gas, so it surges forward....
It runs awesome when Im driving or moving... problem diffently seems to be at idle.

Ive read a few old post, but all post seem to have similar problems.. what do I do first?

I just need my car to start when I need it, just like it use too.

[LeSabre97mint]

Hello

Are you geting a check engine light? Even if you're not it would be good to check for stored codes. Search this forum for how to do this on OBDI vehicals.

Regards
Dan

[93buicklesabrelmtd]

no service lights... at all!
very strange, everytime I check the code in the past I got 12 every single time..
I can try to check it today, but Im sure it will do 12 again...

[HotZ28]

Intermittent stalls at low RPM are very hard to diagnose, especially without a code to help determine which circuit to start checking. I would start with fuel pressure and vacuum leak checks first. You may have the early symptoms of crank sensor or ICM failure also. It is just not bad enough to set a code yet!

[93buicklesabrelmtd]

she cranked straight up this mornin, I let her run for about 1min, everything was fine. I turned it off, still didnt drive it yet. Im getting ready to go a 40 mile trip. I will keep everyone posted! Im also going to pull codes today also..

HOTZ28 do u think since I recently had the balancer switched this happened? it still could be the ECM also..
If it is the ECM I guess I could get a performance chip?
Car worked perfect even after doing balancer like 1mnth ago.. She still drives like a 2005! I promise. Its hard to tell the engine is even on. One mechanic said he never seen a 3.8 run this smooth.

so I can rule out the CAM sensor???

Lesabre has a new/almost new:

fuel pump & sock
platinum delcos plugs & wires
tranny 60k
tranny modulator
engine 70k
oil pressure sending switch
replaced 1 coil from very slight missfire, works perfect now!
300a HO alternator (audio stuff) / 0ga wires...

everything NOT mentioned above is ORIGINAL!
the engine was a new block but I think they took parts off my other engine too.
like old alternator, sterring pumps, etc... the engine swap was like 1yr and a half ago.. tranny in dec of last yr.. She runs great, and still does, except at idle..


ANY INPUT will help..........

[93buicklesabrelmtd]

Update so far today I replace:

IAC (Idle Air Control)....... problem continued
Fuel Regulator........ problem continued... It had alot of pressure behind it! So I think pump is real strong, cause its not old at all!

Now on the 40 mile drive the car cut out about 15 times, mostly when I got off the interstate, about 5 times on the interstate. I gave it gas, and the RPM didnt move at all, then it flew up, to where it should be & took off. On interstate when I took my foot off the gas peddle, & RPM was near 1 she stalled out....

When I unplug the TPS, the check light comes on
When I unlug the MAS flow sensor, check light also comes on (car became little irratic)
When I did the IAC the light stayed off, notice not much diffrence.. Thats why I replaced it, but problem still there.

It likes to stall in gear now, like today I was just sitting in parking lot in reverse gear, turn wheels opposite directions, then I soon as she moves a little bit & I turn the wheel, the RPMs drop real low then cuts out...

It wont start after several tries after it does that, then if I push it forward, back in to the parking spot.. let it sit like 1 min, she starts.. But she never starts straight back up after she stalls...

Then I left her Idle for about 3 mins or so, then she stalled out at idle.

What do I do next? I need help guys, its my only transport....
Ill keep reading the book see what else.....

[93buicklesabrelmtd]

she dont even start no more!
well she started 1 time today, then cut herself off after 1min.
I have sparks on each ingnition coil when I try to start!
like i said i replaced the idle air control valve, and the fuel regulator, problem still was there.
i pushed in the valve on the fuel rail, and its no pressure almost. a little bit of gas sprayed, but not much. I know I have a new fuel pump from last Nov, so I didnt expect it. I hear the pump cut on for like 3 secs then turn off. when car is in on position. when it fails from starting, i hear it cut on again, cause the car goes back to ON postion..
I switched out all my relays in the firewall, in matching pair and numbers with each other. problem still persisted.

[HotZ28]

If you suspect low fuel pressure, you should invest in a pressure tester. Fuel pressure on the rail should be 35-45 for it to run correct.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92699

[Marshall Dillon]

I think I have the same problem. My 93 gives me less problem if I keep the Gas above half full. It doesn't lose RPMS in cool weather like it does in hot weather. It seems to occur at exceleration really bad when the gas is less than half full and in hot weather. I changed the fuel pump but dumb like not the sock. It's been going on for 4 years now I'm getting tired of it. 222,000 miles so I should have another 222,000 before I throw her away. I hate it but I think I need to pull the tank again (not fun) and put on a new sock. I'm going to look for vacumm leak first.

[Alibi]

Before it stalls, does the engine stutter or does it just completely cut off? If it stutters then you may want to have the ICM tested. I've replaced the ICM on almost every 3.8 engine oweded in my family (4 out of 5). However, they seem to stutter and want to die at higher speeds (50-60mph) than at idle or low speed.

Fuel seems like it is ruled out w/ the new pump and regulator. Actually, what about fuel filter? I certainly hope it isn't the original....but if your'e getting plenty of fuel pressure than it would be ok.

Have you replaced any of the rubber vacuum hoses? After so many years the rubber starts to deteriorate and may have a leak significant enough to suffocate the engine at low RPMs but not at higher RPMs. Fuel economy would be crappy too if there was a vacuum leak.

Good Luck!

[Alibi]

Oh I forgot something: Bad ICM's usually dont want to give codes (at least on vinC's).

[93buicklesabrelmtd]

PROBLEM SOLVED!!!

Ok guys, I ruled out everything under the hood!!!
The problem is back to my 2month old fuel pump!!!! I belive I pumped bad gas into the tank or something, and the pump is making funny noises now.. I filled it up with gas, and she started right up, no issues, I reved the gas, to get a little hesititaion out... I noticed the rpms will stick at 4, then struggle its way up... I have seen that problem b4.

Today, Im goin to get my pump exchanged since its on lifetime warranty!! The car runs super duper smooth...... Still purs, and it quiter than anything on the road..

I take it these after market pumps dont like to be ran too low, so Ill be keeping my tank at half even with my new pump, sock, and filter..

THANKS TO EVERYONE for helping...
The problem was in the tank to begin with, she wouldnt start on 1/4 tank, like she was completly empty... I also added 2 bottle of HEAT to the gas tannk..

I will be adding some injector cleaner today also, with a fresh oil change...

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by 93buicklesabrelmtd

PROBLEM SOLVED!!!

I reved the gas, to get a little hesititaion out... I noticed the rpms will stick at 4, then struggle its way up... I have seen that problem b4.

I take it these after market pumps dont like to be ran too low, so Ill be keeping my tank at half even with my new pump, sock, and filter..

The problem was in the tank to begin with, she wouldnt start on 1/4 tank, like she was completly empty... I also added 2 bottle of HEAT to the gas tannk..

If you are revving the engine to 4K in park or neutral, it is hitting the rev limiter. I don't know why anyone would do that anyway, it's hard on the parts!!
Very often when a new pump is installed, the sending unit does not read the same as it did before. It could be that when you are reading a 1/4 tank, you are actually out of gas! When you filled it up, did the guage read above full?

[93buicklesabrelmtd]

Problem fixed

well it was the fuel pump! how about my fuel sock fell off the pump, into the tank! I exchanged for a new pump, with new sock. car runs great with no hesitation now. the fuel gauge is accurate!

Thanks to everyone for the help!!

[HotZ28]

Glad to here you got it! You should be ready for another 200K now.
Just remember, especially when pumps are new, they need fuel to keep them cool and lubricated. Don't forget to keep plenty of fuel in the tank and you should be OK!