Pardon me for venting ...

I had to walk away from my local fix-it shop to keep from losing my temper.

I'd taken the car in for them to check the code and SES light ...

The day I took it in the SES light had gone off and everything passed their "functional tests" and "bring it back if the light comes back on" ... so I drove it off their lot and went for a 5 mile loop and brought it back to 'em with the light on.

The "technician" said he "grabbed the bundle of wires" going to the camshaft sensor and the engine stalled.

And would not start.

No signal from the crankshaft sensor.

No spark.

I told them they could play with sensors but anything else to Call Me First.

So, when they didn't call me, I called them. The "technician" assured me that it was starting exactly like it was supposed to - every time. After they replaced the camshaft sensor, the crankshaft sensor, the coil pack and ignition control module.

AND that they were only going to charge me for the parts. No labor charge after having had the car taking up a bay for 3 days.

Yeah. Right. Like that doesn't mean something bad is going on.

I went to pick it up. Put the key in the ignition. Extended crank. Just Like When I Took It To Them.

I walked back in and asked them what their definition of "fixed" is. The service manager had me talk to the "technician" again . . . turns out his story was then that "it runs" but you "have to crank it a little bit" and that "his buddy" who is ASE Master Certified recommends I get rid of the car because this model "has electrical issues" that GM never worked out

At which point I walked off before I went off.

So the car is right back where it has been - once it starts it runs great just like it always did - once you get it started.

Jim

if he grabbed the wire bundle and it stalled there is a loose wire in one of the connectors or a chafed wire shorting out in that bundle.

You'd think so, but ...

He said that he checked the wiring and could find nothing. I don't know what "checks" he did, though. I'm betting he took a quick look and didn't see anything and pronounced it ok.

After I calm down, I'll make a call to the owner and see if there is any satisfaction there.

Jim

ARGH!

New symptoms!

I was driving up the hill out of town and the digital dash went to 0mph and it seemed to lose power and then it stalled.

Started right back up - with cranking hesitation - and then stalled about 3 seconds later. I tried it 4-5 more times with the same result and then it decided to stay running and I drove it home without issue.

What'* the typical reason for stalling immediately after start like that? I seem to remember reading about this one ...?

Off to climb in the other car and go get done what I need to get done.

Thanks all!
Jim

obviously you cant trust his "checks" if he believed they are all like that

I have yet to see anyone say anything about checking/cleaning the ground connections.
Being an old VW guy, we've learned to check that first. Germans love to put ground connections everywhere, so that means the possibilities of figuring out WHICH ground was bad, was like a treasure hunt. Check and clean your grounds. Also, I've noticed that these older cars love to smoke a little at the ignition switch. They are over 20 years old and electronics tend to fail sooner or later.
Sure hope this helps.