99 Regal Supercharge...starts but dies immediately

[kristen022]

I have a 99 Buick Regal GSE. We've had problems for a while. The car would die while driving at speeds up to 70 mph but would start back before coming to a complete stop. Then winter came and no problems until this spring. She then would die while driving but would take about 15 min. to restart. We've had new spark plugs, wires, MAF Sensor, TP Sensor, Ignition Switch, and somthing in the gear shift replaced. Fuel pressure test came back good while stationary. Still no help! When she dies, the RPM's go to 0 but the radio and A/C are still functioning. Although the A/C blow hot on the drivers side and cold on the passangerside....I'm just tryin to get the car to drive first! runaround Now she is down for the count. She will crank but immediately die! I can press the gas pedal down to the floor to keep her goin but when I go to shift into drive boom! She dies! If anyone has a clue....please help me! We've spent $2000 tryin to fix her and still no go! Thankx for any help!

[BNaylor]

Welcome to AF.

From what I see based on your symptoms and everything working in the winter until the weather warms up you could have a flaky crank position sensor (CKPS). Does not necessarily generate a DTC code and SES/CEL light. The tach dropping to 0 before stall is a good indicator.

[kristen022]

We had to have it towed to the mechanic and I is running fine for him...cranks right up and runs great! Go figure! I will mention the crank shaft sensor to him though. thankx for the help!

[GTP Dad]

Just a word of advice. The tech will only replace what the computer tells him is bad. There have been many occasions where techs have said that everything is fine only to have the problem continue to plague the owner. Take BNaylor's advice this is a CPS issue and it should be replaced. You may have to argue with the tech but it should fix the car.

[richtazz]

I'll third GTP and Bnaylors advice. Many times a CKPS will fail due to heat build-up, and once the car cools off, will work fine. It can be frustrating as it won't act up while the mechanic has the car

[kristen022]

thanks for all the help...i want to replace the cps myself...my mechanic is tired of my car and its probs! Would u advise this and if so could i have some instructions how to do so? Since it is a supercharged 3.8L i've been told it is difficult! Does anyone have a picture of where this part is located! Again...thank you so much for all the help! i really hope this is the end of my $2000 battle! lol

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by kristen022

if so could i have some instructions how to do so? Since it is a supercharged 3.8L i've been told it is difficult! Does anyone have a picture of where this part is located! Again...thank you so much for all the help! i really hope this is the end of my $2000 battle! lol

Checkout the link below. For a L67 Grand Prix (supercharged) but the L67 Regal is the same. Good luck!

Click here

[Old Lar]

When my 99 Regal showed those symptoms it was the ignition sensor(?). The ignition switch did not recognize the key's chip. It would start, then die immediatly. This was several years ago and the Buick was traded in 2006 after 100+K miles. It was a pricey repair if I recall.

[kristen022]

We finally got the crank shaft position sensor replaced! But it still sputters and @ 70 MPH the RPM's are at 4! We did have the Throttle Position Sensor replaced.....is there a chance that this was not installed properly? Any other suggestions? maybe needs a new computer?

[BNaylor]

Thanks for the feedback. Since the crank sensor was replaced has it stallled out any or just sputerring only? Any SES/CEL light?

The TPS is easy to install. Just has to be indexed properly but is self alining. Have you tried the ignition control module (ICM) or get it tested.

[kristen022]

It has not stalled out yet, only sputtering a few times. The RPM's went to 500 but it did not die. I have had a TPS put on a month ago. The service engine soon light is still on, too. While we were driving it, after it sputtered for the first time, the gas mileage was steadily going down. After we killed it and restarted, it worked fine for another 20 or 30 miles. The ICM was also replaces about 4 months ago! I think this car is possessed! Its crazy! lol...any more suggestions? Oh and no codes are coming up when you hook it to the computer. problems...problems!

[BNaylor]

Looking back I see you replaced the MAF sensor. Was this one a new GM or an aftermarket? Disconnect the MAF sensor and see what it does.

SES light but no stored code? Thats interesting. What type and brand scanner was used?

Also, what about the idle air controller (IAC)? Was it replaced or cleaned?

[Mickey#1]

Let's try some free things. These are all good preventive maintenance items.
1 - Clean both ends of all battery cables. Remove all the bolts & rubber boots from the cables so you can find the corrosion. Clean them with a wire brush or sandpaper. Coat them with dielectric grease before reassembling.
2 - Clean the ground bus on both sides of the car. Remove the metal bar from the bus & clean both the male & female ends of the bus terminals. Coat the metal bar with dielectric grease before reassembling.
3 - Remove the coils, ICM & ICM mounting plate. Clean the top of the mounting bracket, both sides of the mounting plate and the bottom of the ICM. Coat all four surfaces with dielectric grease before reassembling. Make sure all the spark plug wires are going to the correct cylinder & not touching or really close to the oxygen sensor.