01 Grand Prix problem

**neumjo** · 12-04-2008

I have a 2001 Grand Prix GT with the 3.8 and auto. Today while sitting at a light the car idled normally, but when I have it gas it shut off. It took about 30 seconds before it would restart. There has been no issue since then. Othe issues with the car would be occasionally the tach will stop working and the traction light will come on and there is a weird smell occasionally with the heater on.

**SyntheticShield** · 12-05-2008

The tach going to 0 and the traction light coming on are symptoms of a bad crankshaft position sensor. It will also in some cases cause the engine to stall. The fact it took a bit to restart is also symptomatic of the CPS as it directly controls spark.

Ive seen it where it will do as you described on a rare occasion and over time as the sensor degrades it will happen more and more frequently. That sensor going bad is fairly common failure with the Grand Prix.