My 2001 SE has had quite a bit of attention lately. I replaced the coilpack, module, plugs, wires and fuel regulator. The engine runs just like it did when I bought the car new. I'm very happy with it'* performance again. The new parts got rid of almost all the problems I have had for a few years now. I'm stuck with one last problem, the engine will stall without warning. Sometimes it will start right back up and sometimes it takes a few tries to get it started again. Yesterday it stalled on the expressway while I was going 80. I tried to restart in nuetral but it wouldn't catch. Then I coasted to the side of the expressway and after two tries it started right up and ran perfectly for the rest of the trip home. I don't want it to happen in a construction zone with no shoulder so this problem is pressing.... I'm thinking it just about has to be the computer. What else will kill a car'* engine like that and after you simply turn it off and restart the problem is gone?

Does it sputter before it dies, or just shut off as if you had turned the key off? When you try to restart, does the starter work, and the engine doesn't start, or doesn't the starter spin at all?

If it just shuts off, and the starter still spins, it could be the crank position sensor. If the starter doesn't spin, a loose connect for the ignition fuse in the under-hood fuse box could be the culprit. If it sputters before it dies, the fuel filter or fuel pump would be suspect.

It shuts off just like you shut the key off. No sputter. And then when it restarts it runs perfect again. I'm wondering if it could be the ignition switch itself? Once in a while the key will not turn in the ignition. I take it out and put it back in and the ignition will turn then. The other day I discovered that if you gently lift up on the keys the ignition will turn. I remember hearing that some Bonnevilles had ignition switch problems. Is this the type of problem that was being encountered with the bad switches?

When it doesn't start right away, does the starter motor spin? The TSB on the ignition switch reports a no start/no spin condition, but the an intermittent connection in the switch could cause the engine to shut off.

Yes, it rolls over fine. Just seems like it has no spark at all. It definitely seems to be an intermittent electrical disconnect. Sometimes it will start right back up first try. Sometimes it takes 5 or 6 tries before it restarts. Also, sometimes it will
'almost stall'. You feel a sensation like it got disconnect and reconnect fast enough to keep running.

i had the same exact issue happen to me before. it turned out to be the crank shaft position sensor. if it is, have fun with the harmonic balancer coming off!

I swapped the crank position sensor twice last summer. I bought one from Carquest and installed it. The car was having this same problem then. After swapping the sensor the engine wouldn't start at all. I took the sensor back and they gave me another. I installed it and the engine wouldn't start. So I put the original back on and the engine ran fine again. But still the intermittent electrical disconnect. The only good thing about that was I now can switch the sensor in 45 minutes, plenty of practice! Maybe I do need the crank sensor. I might take another crack at it with a better replacement part. I did have some good techies tell me that I was wasting my time with the new crank sensor.

maybe a new fuel pressure regulator is needed. On my old bonneville it would cut off and run like crap some tiems. A new fuel pressure regulator solved all the problems.

Thanks but read above(first post of thread), just replaced it....

hopefully you didnt buy 2 defective parts. i know from experience this does happen. i bought two brand new defective ignition control modules from auto zone. they replaced both of them though.

from what youre describing it sounds like the same issue i had. mine cut off once when i was coming up to a red light. i tried to start it again and it was sputtering, i guess would be the best way to describe it, then it shut off. it took about 10-20 mins. to get it to start again. after it finally started it, ran like there wasnt a problem at all. my check engine light was on so i had it scanned and it came back as the crank position sensor.

just thought i would share my experience!