Thread: 1998 Grand Prix GT 3.8L Annoyance -

For the past week or so my car's lights began dimming (Including interior lights) but would brighten as I accelerated. The nightmare started tonight when I got off work. As I pulled into my first right the steering wheel locked and everything mechanical in the car died. The lights continued to stay on although the car died. I restarted the vehicle with no problem. As I continued to drive on down the road the car would hesitate although it was still rolling. The RPMs would drop drastically then kick back up and acted like nothing happened.

Possibly my ECM? It's not in the OEM air intake box anymore. I installed an after market RAM intake so it just lays on the frame in the same location the box it sat in used to. Possibly too bumpy and damaged it against the frame?

Any ideas?

Welcome!

Could be battery or alternator, maybe even a bad ground or wire short.

Check your battery voltage and see what it is with it off and then with it running. I have a good alt and battery in my garage is your not to far away and want to buy the stuff off me.

I just replaced the battery, and all seems to be well now. Lmao

lol well thats good. welcome to the forums.

actually, nope it died again and it's sitting at my work. I'm thinking it's the fuel filter? It attempts to crank but does not fire. Possibilities...maybe sparkplugs?

Any codes?

nothing, not even a(n) check engine light..I check the fuel pressure today, all seems to be well at a good 48 psi. I'm still stumped, now it won't start 3:31 AM. A bad/faulty O2 sensor could not possibly cause the engine to start or stall would it? seems like just as long as I'm on the pedal it tends not to die. Not for sure though, I haven't paid enough attention.

Then again, maybe auto zone's OBD scanner tool would be more reliable than the one I have..

Does it crank over like normal just not start?

Clearly you had and are having power issues. Pull both ends of your battery cables and clean them. Remove the bolt at the battery and the boot slips off the cable for better inspection/cleaning. If the cables have corrosion going into them, replace them.

Likely that helps or fixes the problem.

^^
Brand new battery and terminals, thanks though.
I'm thinking it may be the alternator too. It's getting towed to a shop tomorrow morning. I guess we'll see.

lousy alternator..