I NEED SOME MAJOR HELP HERE. I HAVE A 2001 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE THAT I ABSOLUTLY LOVE. I HAVEN'T HAD A WHOLE LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH IT. WE HAVE ONLY HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR JUST LAST YEAR AND THIS SPRING WE REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. WHEN WE REPLACE THE GASKET WE HAD THE CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHT COME ON AND WOULDN'T GO OUT. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC WHO SAID THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WERE FINE AND THAT THERE MUST BE A SHORT SOMEWHERE. THEY SAID THERE WAS NOT HUGE RUSH ON GETTING THAT FIXED.

BUT NOW WE HAVE A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT I WAS HOPING SOMEONE COULD GIVE US SOME INSIGHT ON.

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING TO THE CAR DOWN THE FREEWAY GOING APPROX 60 MPH AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANOTHER CAR WHEN THE CAR JUST DIED. HE SAID THERE WAS NOT WARNING WHAT SO EVER. THE CAR JUST DIED, BUT WHEN IT DID HE THOUGHT THE ENGINE MAY HAVE BLOWN BECAUSE IT MADE THAT AWEFUL RACKET LIKE AN ENGINE DOES WHEN IT GOES.

WE HAVE TOOK THE VALVE OVER OFF ONE SIDE OF THE ENGINE AND THE ROCKERS ALL APPEAR FINE. THE PLUGS ARE FINE LOOKING TOO. THE OIL APPEARS TO BE NORMAL (NO METAL SHAVINGS)

WE HAVE TRIED TO TURN THE CAR OVER BY HAND BY PUTTING A WRENCH ON THE CRANK SHAFT BUT IT WON'T BUDGE AT ALL. IT ACTS LIKE IT IS FROZE UP. CAN ANYBODY GIVE ME ANY IDEA WHAT MAY BE WRONG WITH THE CAR

I WOULD LOVE TO GET MY BONNEVILLE BABY BACK ON THE ROAD.

Check the ignition relay and fuse in the fuse box under the hood.

Mine did something similar and it turned out to be a loose ignition fuse.

.....but it could be a few other things also, if that turns out to be OK.

This would not cause the balancer to not turn.

Pull your plugs for all the cylinders, Do you know if the upper intake was replaced (assuming this is not a supercharged car) when the lower gaskets were changed?

After pulling the plugs, try to crank it over. It should then have nothing holding it back. If you can't turn the motor at that point, something went very wrong inside. If you notice water coming out the cylinders, it was hydrolocked and most likely the upper intake (if natuarlly aspriated) is bad.

Is it at all possible that the timing chain snapped and got jammed, thus stopping the motor from turning over?

Anything could be possible. It wouldn't be common or expected for a chain to snap.

I totally agree Bill, but then again, it'* not comon for a cars engine to just stop at that speed and not be able to turn over.

That'* where my logic on the UIM failure came from.

Am I correct in assuming you live in Kennewick WA?

This may be important later, depending on what you find in the next day or so. I'm about 5-6 hours SW of you, and will have quite a bit of time off in the very near future.

I'm with Bill. Pull the plugs and check for the coolant in the cylinders. If the engine did hydro-lock at that speed, you likely have some internal damage.

Wren, great of you to offer your help to a fellow member, may I also suggest that you take some time off for yourself since I feel that your in need of some rest and relaxation. Much needed and much deserved.