Just picked up a nice 03 LeSabre and while taking it on its first drive it died after cruising for about 10-15 mins. Pulled over and it would turn over but no start. After awhile it started but ran rough. Every time I tried to give it gas it wanted to die. then after I let off the gas there was about a second delay and the engine would surge to around 3500rpm on its own and then back to a rough idle. It did this for a few minutes then it smoothed out and ran normal again???? There is a check engine light on the dash I need to pull. Thinking it might be a bad crank sensor or fuel pump? looking for any suggestions from people who have seen this before. Thanks

I'd think it'* possible that it'* the maf. The engine code will be the best way to go about finding the cause though.

maf test for dummies, unplug it. If it runs better then it'* the maf or maf wiring.

from the sounds of it, the pcm detected the maf issue, set the code, and then went to it'* limp home mode (speed density)

after the car ran again. I started to drive it home and it died again on the way home. Sat all night and drove it to work this morning, check engine light was still on but it didn't die on the 15mile trip. curious to see what the code is.

Take it to an autoparts store and have them pull the code for you.

that'* the plan after work. However after the first time it died there was no CEL. It came on after it died the second time. I just hope the code isn't a secondary issue not related to the root cause as to why it just dies. We'll see.

Many things won't set a CEL right away or at all. Crank sensor will typically never set a code. Makes it all the more fun to track down.

yup, iirc some maf codes are run twice. Of course the pcm has to recognize the problem first and there are certain conditions that must be met for the code to be enabled

Yep. The way the PCM is tuned from the factory, codes have 3 possible values.

MIL on 1st error
MIL on 2nd error
No error reported

There'* also an option for SES light on or off. Not all codes will throw an SES light, and some codes will throw an SES light but only after the fault has been detected twice.

I would do what Bob suggested and disconnect the MAF to see if it runs without stalling. If that fixes it, then you've found your problem. It may be worth noting that I've dealt with my fair share of bad 3800 MAFs.

If this happens to be the case, be advised that Advance Auto has an online 40% off coupon that you can use and pick up the purchased item in-store.

Very right and good, but there is the 4th option "PCM doesn't recognize that anything having an issue". There are many cases where our cars can run horribly and the pcm won't pick up anything out of spec. I had a failing crank sensor for months, out of 100'* of hiccups I got one crank code and many transmission codes.