95 pontiac grand prix shut off while driving. thought out of gas, but gas didn't help. fuel pump? fuse?

Question

95 pontiac grand prix shut off while driving. thought out of gas, but gas didn't help. fuel pump? fuse?

Answer 1

it could be the ignition module has gone open circuit and you lost the spark to the spark plugs.  ignition module failures are very common on GM vehicles.  this would be the case if the car just cut out while driving.  usually it just stalls with no warning like you turned the key off.

ignition module failures are more common when the engine is hot and you've been driving for some time.

typically the car will restart once the engine has cooled down

if that's the circumstances under which your car died its probably the ignition module.  they are relatively inexpensive to replace.

i would recommend you have someone test for spark.  if you don't have any spark that's probably the reason why.  if you do have spark then you can look to the fuel pump which is less likely.

hope that helps

Answer 2

ignition coil, mass air flow sensor, fuel pump, alternator, short.  need more info, did it sputter and die, did it die as you dropped you rpm's.  Are your volts normal? does it start and die.  

to rule out fuel pump you can check the fuel pressure on the intake line just before the injectors.  it looks like a tire valve with the key on push down the pin (watch out for spray) if it shoots out your pump is good.  

rule out alternator - jump car, if it starts disconnect other power source and watch you volts.  if they start to wane, it is your alternator.

ignition coils are cheap, and you can replace them for less than it costs to do diagnostics.  if it still is jacked up take them back to the parts store or you can take your whole ignition module to the store and have it tested.

after that you may have to take you car to the shop and have the computer read.  it is cheaper if you take it to a little shop, but less likely to be wrong at the dealership.

hope this helps.

Answer 3

Hey there,

as long as it is not the battery or charging system...

It could be the crank positioning sensor went bad, or the fuel pump resistor circuit went bad. Usually fuel pumps will let you know they are going bad by having a high pitch wine while running.

Most likely though it is the crank postioning sensor, which feeds the pcm (computer) when the pistons are at the correct cycle/revolution to fire the spark plugs.  When this goes bad, the pcm does not no where the piston is at incorrelation with the fuel mixture and firing cycle. The pcm shuts the car off so the worst possible thing does not happen, i.e..it fires the sparkplug before the piston(s) reaches top dead center. If it fires it on the upstroke while compression is being made, it could possible blow a hole thru the piston, or break/bend a connecting rod, or rod bearing.

There are simple ways to diagnose these problems, all these sensors put out a electrical signal, these can be measured. Mechanic with ther proper tools and knowledge should be able to diagnose the problem rather quickly. If it is a sensor, and certain requirements are met, the car should indicate that it has stored a trouble code or diagnostic code.

I think even autozone or pepboys another parts chain will hookup a scanner to your car and let you know for free, what codes came up. Good Luck...

//\\//\\ike