Questions and Answers

Buick Park Avenue Random Stalling Q. Hello Vincent, I hope you can help with this problem. The car is a 1989 Buick Park Avenue with the 3800 fuel injected V-6 engine. It is an automatic with all power options and has only 77,000 miles on it. The car has recently developed an annoying and potentially dangerous problem. The car has begun stalling out at random times.

It was first noticed while braking for a light but it also dies while running at speeds up to 40 miles an hour. It dies very quietly, no warning signs, just shuts off. Check engine light and temperature light come on. Car fires right back up with no problem.

At speeds above 40 problem still exists but the car does not die out. There is a noticeable jolt, like going over a bad freeway expansion strip, the check engine light and temperature light flash on for only a second or two and then the car goes on as if nothing ever happened. This problem occurs totally at random times.

I've experienced it after only driving it three miles and at other times it didn't occur until after two hours of freeway driving. The car had a tune up at 71,000 miles. Shop couldn't duplicate problem while they had it, last week, but did replace ignition coil, no effect on problem. Can you help?

Thanks,
Ken

A. Are there any codes stored after MIL comes on? It may be an ECM problem or trouble with the Crankshaft Position Sensor. A scanner set up in a snapshot mode would aid in diagnosis.