Hi!

I have bought recenty 1990 lesabre with 3800 engine. Probably 90k original miles.

What means trim levels custom and limited in equipments?


I have it electras front (lights, fenders, even doors) and interior(seats, door panels). Its maybe totaled years ago.


Its been working pretty well but couple problems.


It has been stalled about three times. Allways same method: car is been drived warm or allmost warm, its shutted down when you start it and drive about one meter or just idle it about 20sec.

Example: i drive 10miles to shop, shut the car down. Then i go back and start the car, it shuts in idle like you turn key off or if i start drive it stalls.

Problem is not common, three times in 300miles. Only one time it has been engaged service engine soon light after stall.

It starts fine after stall no problems.

SES light will light about once a week soon before start.

I checked diagnosis codes and it give 42 and 46.

42- bypass or electronic spark timing (est) circuit


1- Electronic spark timing(EST) - open or shorted.
2- Direct ignition system(DIS) fault - bypass circuit open or shorted to ground during engine run.
3- Fuel cutoff relay circuit - open or shorted to ground.


And 46 power steering.

What is common problems which give them?

I live in Finland so car is very rare there and parts wont found every shop. I usually buy parts on rockauto but that takes time.


And where i found fuses? Ive checked under dash but ive got founded or are they under screws?


Thanks and sorry for bad language!

Welcome to the forum Pertti.
Custom or limited means more options like leather seat/sunroof etc and much more.
I know here in north America with your VIN # at a GM dealer, you can with your serial number, obtain free of charge, a complete options list for your car. Very handy to have!!
Many times stalling issues come from bad or dirty sensors Like MAF, IAC etc..
I have PM'd a couple of members to assist further regrading your questions, so keep an eye out...for their experienced reply'*...

42 The EST signal did not change when the ECM applied bypass voltage to the ignition module.

the bypass voltage is for the first few seconds, the icm runs the spark on its own in conjunction with the crank sensor. the crank signal goes through the icm. to me the icm seems like the problem but obd1 systems arent very specific sometimes and it could be the crank sensor or any of the related wires

46-Power steering switch was closed for 25 seconds or more when vehicle speed was above 40 MPH.

Than you for fast answers!

Ive checked vin for some sites on google but they wont give much information you know.


So code 42 could be at worst icm module but off course something less bad example that sensor?

Rockauto has magnavox type 1 system single coil models. Does that mean only model with one brick type coil? Because if i remember right (i have to check) i have three? little coils.

Ecm is okay?


46 code means what in theory? It has little bit weird steering in highway speeds on american car at my mind. ( i have owned about 15 americans) Feels like it little "gives back" on corners like some playstation steering wheel.

And here is couple pictures of it. Dont know what is happened. Its shipper here to usa about 2007, but all part changes are noted on Finnish register papers so i dont know are they installed these in here. That model electras are damn rare there too so i dont know..

My favorite color too very nice!
Have you changed the spark plugs and wires recently?
Justin was referring to the crank position sensor.
Dan did a write up as a 'how to REPLACE cps: here:
https://www.gmforum.com/mechanical-1...sensor-279066/

Here is a reference/ listing re GM trouble codes OBD1:
GM OBD Trouble Codes –
code 46 seems to be missing....not sure what to say on that one.
Anyone -got an a better reference on code 46? in OBD1?

anyways on code 46 Justin mentioned the power steering- time do a power steering flush or even suction out the PS reservoir and get some new GM specd fluid in there.
If it is really dirty U will know that when u suction it out, you may have to suction the fluid in the PS unit a couple of time and see if that make a big difference as well.
Its amazing how many miles can be on that fluid and a noticeable improvement can happen real quick

there is a site i looked at that has obd1 codes by the engine and year, you have to be careful with that on obd1 because they weren't really standardized, the descriptions i listed are for a 88-90 3.8. i dont have any manuals for that car so cant really be of anymore help. if you do have the magnovox setup still it seems it very easily changed to the newer setup with the three coils, on the one i saw on the internet it just plugged in.

for the power steering it sounds like there is a switch that shouldn't be electrically closed, so sounds like the switch is open when fluid is good or pressure and closed when a fault occurs or the wires or connector is shorted or shorted to chassis.

What kind of fluid i but there? Dexron automatic oil or clear mag1 power steering fluid?

Now there is automatic oil i guess because color is red.


I taked battery + off for hours so now codes are reseted. Lets see when they come back.


It has one coil pack i checked. Plug wires etc are old.


Crank sensor is bad place for outside works Now -27 celsius and i dont have garage.


Is there some place on block heater? I have hose heater now and its little bit raw. I think it melts lower hose.