Car dies randomly, please help!

**car illiterate** · 03-29-2013

Greetings and a premature thank you for your insight. I have a 2004 Gtp Comp G with 156,000mi and it will die randomly without any warning, sometimes it will start up just fine other times it will just die in 3 ft. Most of the time it will just die with no engine light, other times it will die and my DIC will show my Traction control and stability control need serviced. I have taken it in to many shops but they cant seem to figure out the problem or get it to die. It will usually die after I have been driving it for a little bit but someone times it just says F*** you and dies after 6 blocks. Again any help is appreciated.

**rafadavidc** · 03-29-2013

I had a 2000 Buick Park Avenue Ultra which would do this, minus the traction issue. It turned out to be the fuel pump control module in the trunk behind the CD changer. Once I bypassed that by disconnecting it and shorting two of the pins on the connector (don't remember which two at this point) (putting the fuel pump into WOT mode full-time and at risk for premature burnout), I no longer had the issue - that was the test. No, the GM dealer did not think to do this diagnosis; it was thought up my my GM-certified mechanic buddy.

I don't know where the FPCM is on your car, sorry. For my old car, it's a $85 part at Rock Auto.

edit - Here's more info about it. http://www.3800pro.com/forum/general...ol-module.html

**dsmuts** · 03-29-2013

Sounds like a crank sensor to me

**car illiterate** · 03-29-2013

Would that also account for the traction control and stability control light to cut on?

**dsmuts** · 03-29-2013

Do they only come on when it dies? It might be a separate issue.

**car illiterate** · 03-29-2013

Only after I start it back up or right before its about to die like a warning signal that its about to die at the next stop.

**Scottydoggs** · 03-29-2013

ever notice the tach dropping to zero before it stalls out? if so crank sensor, they hardly ever throw a code either.

**car illiterate** · 03-29-2013

It will just drop to 0 and sometimes it will come back up for a second and then die. most of the time it just drops and it stalls.

**dsmuts** · 03-29-2013

I'd throw a crank sensor in it

**Scottydoggs** · 03-29-2013

thats a crank sensor for sure. heres your how to... http://www.grandprixforums.net/how-r...sor-60906.html

**car illiterate** · 03-29-2013

Thank you guys for the help very much appreciated and saved me from spending unneeded money at the shop.

**Scottydoggs** · 03-29-2013

we see so many come here for this, and shops dont have a clue. no codes, they are lost. unless they know these cars well. but most dont know them like people on this site do.

**car illiterate** · 03-29-2013

I have spent thousands of dollars on random **** that they have said will fix the problem and nothing has worked they wanted to replace the throttle body next so I figured as one last resort to come here and see if I couldn't save my self another few thousand. From now on I will no longer ask the "professionals" instead come here.

**Scottydoggs** · 03-29-2013

most shops are ok. its finding one you can trust in the end. these crank sensors are just one thing most shop just dont know because theres no code.

new cars, the code tells the mechanic where to look, no code, they are just lost. then toss parts at the problem.

also check the harness to the sensor, sometimes they can also go bad, or hit the belts and get cut up some.

**car illiterate** · 03-29-2013

I am trying to get the harmonic balancer off and i am having one hell of a time. I don't have a torque wrench, read about a redneck way of doing it but a little hesitant to try any tips on doing it that way?

**Scottydoggs** · 03-29-2013

you need a breaker bar, and a 3 foot pipe. or the redneck way by cranking the engine over also works. to get the bolt out.

vice grips on the flex plate will also hold the engine from spinning.

you need the right size bolts for the puller too. to thread into the balancer after the bolt is out.

**dsmuts** · 03-29-2013

Redneck way always has worked for me.

**zaya417** · 03-29-2013

Agree. Its the crank sensor.

**car illiterate** · 03-30-2013

Got the bolt of I've been cranking on the damn puller for hours and nothing videos I see it takes like 3 or 4 twists

**Scottydoggs** · 03-30-2013

make the puller tight on the balancer, then hit the main drive bolt of the puller with a hammer, a few light taps, then try to crank the bolt some more on the puller, it should turn a bit. tap again, repeat as needed.