Im pretty new to this forum, I had posted a message before about my car randomly stalling when driving,, please see post http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...pic.php?p=5155
That problem has not been fixed, but was convinced maybe it was the crankshaft position sensor by a member on this site. This past weekend I had the engine coolant flushed and refilled. Since I drove about 200 miles, when I noticed yesterday the car was acting a little strange, I was hitting the accelerator and it felt like it wasnt kicking in, or the RPM'* were going but the car wasn't pushing with it. The check engine light then came on, where I was a block from my house. I pulled over and open the hood, to see no visible problems, but I had noticed the engine coolant reserve was pretty much completely emptied. (the engine was not running hot on the gages though, ever) So I filled up the reserve and went to start the car and it would not start. I had it towed by AAA :( to MIDAS, I go to school in Philadelphia, and I this was the closest place for me. They were not finished yesterday with diagnostics, but they said the starter is dead.
Can anyone think of why the car would be randomly stalling and having a hard time starting, is it the starter?? or maybe its the starter and something else, and the starter was coincidental? throttle position sensor? crankshaft positon sensor? my luck? any thoughts would be much appreciated... also is there anyone in the philadelphia area that could suggest a mechanic ? I have a warranty and they said I can go to a place of choice. $100 deductible for me


I have a 97 SE 65,000 miles on it

THANKS

Scanning the codes should tell the whole story. It really could be any one of a number of things, or as you suggested, a combination. Code scanning will pinpoint it. You're very lucky about he warranty. Definitely take advantage of it, and keep us posted! Somebody here might have an idea or two, but if it'* already being scanned, you don't need us!

When you say scanning, would the "so-called" diagnositcs testing at midas be sufficient, or is there a recommended way for me to call and tell them what to make sure they do? I dont really know much about cars, but you guys are really helping me out.

Thanks

Don't let anybody replace the starter until they figure out what else is wrong. A bad starter has NEVER made an already-running car stall...

I would guess there are some electrical issues involved, however... You might want to find a Pontiac dealership somewhere to fix it. No offense to anyone, but Midas isn't exactly a high-tech operation and tends to employ tire changers and muffler welders, NOT seasoned mechanics.

The same thing was happening to my moms car. It is a 98 dodge durango. We had the fuel pump replaced and that didn't help. We finally figured out that the problem was in fact the crank sensor. Might want to check into that a little more.

the last post couldnt have said it better.. MIDAS SUCKS.. they didnt find the problem.. they claim they put a new starter in and the engine didnt turn over... the guys solution was... "the engine is locked up.. you need to tow it" so I now have it at a Pontiac Dealership this is such a comforting thought.. this was late afternoon when this happen.. and they said they would not get a chance to look at the car until tomorrow or monday.. I received a call this morning from them and tehy said.. the starter is not hooked up and all the wires are just hanging in there!! Midas charge me $75 for what? disconnecting wires and leaving it sit there?

I have faith in pontiac.. but does anyone know why if a new starter is put in it still wont turn over? :(

it still wont turn over because the start isn't hooked up! You said yourself that the wires were just hanging there. Also, if it still doesn't start, it could b the battery. Also, you may want to look into the crank sensor which is what was wrong with my moms car when it died on the road for no reason. However, her'* would start up once you let it cool down again. Maybe the car needs a new fuel pump. I'm not sure, I'm not there to hear what it'* doing when you try to start it.

Ditto

If you have the car ?? Pull a plug or the plugs. I bet the cylinder are full of antifreeze.. and you have Hydrolock ...

It happened to me this summer shortely after I flushed the old Dexcool out.. The key is the over flow reservoir empty..... If thats it ,may cost between $600& $800 cost me over $700 at local garage $3xx for the upper intake ( planum) sp.

Good luck

Midas is just like going to Pep Boys, cars hate 'em, people shoot 'em.

you guys were all on point... the upper intake (planum ) has cracked and i was in hydro lock.. this is going to be an expensive one to fix :( my warranty will cover the planum and the cleaning of the cylinders.. but they say I need to have throttle body cleaned... new ignition wires.. tune up.. also some coolant elbow was leaking. Also this could be related to my stalling problem prior to this, my fuel pressure regulator is leaking so they are going to replace that.. $800 some covered by warranty, and $700 and some for me to pay for

does all of these repairs sound right and should I tell them to do additional stuff? It is currently at the pontiac dealership.. it may be done by tonite.


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