1991 Buick Regal Car Dies when hot Outside

Tiny
SIMSILLY
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 BUICK REGAL
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 127,000 MILES
Hello,
I have replaced just about everything I can troubleshooting.

PROBLEM: Whenever it gets hot outside it will run for about 10 15 minutes fine. Then it will sputter & die, you wait 2 or 3 minutes it will start up and go again. (I can smell fuel when it does this)Then it may die again in 2 seconds and sometimes it doesnt. Its hit and miss but it always dies after it gets hot and runs for awhile in temperatures about 80 or above outside.

REPLACED: Camshaft Sensor, MASS Air Flow Sensor, EGR Valve, Crankshaft sensor, Ignition control module, 3 coils, new plugs/wires, coolant temp sensor. 2 Coolant fans, Fuel Pump, Fuel Pump Relay, Harmonic Balancer, Alternator, Battery, Timing Chain, Timing chain gear, and magnet, UPDATED 7-5-08: Fuel Filter, Computer, Air charge sensor, and still no codes when it dies.

CODES: After I drive it awhile these codes will appear TCC Torque Converter Output, and QDM "a" Error. I can reset the codes and restart the vehicle after it cools down and then let it sit and wait for it to die out again. After it dies there is no codes that show up. And it will not start for another 2 or 3 minutes. Im also still getting a Low Coolant Light come on every once in awhile even after I replaced th sensor.

QUESTIONS: Why would it die and not leave any codes. If it was something like the Crankshaft sensor doing it, it should come up with that code if im not mistaken. Im leaning towards the ECM/ECU being faulty since its not giving codes to whats making it die am I right? NOTE: The charging short was not active when I tested this.
It also seems to short out the Charging system when it is cold outside or when its hot and some water gets under the front wheel wells. I can turn the Ignition like Im starting it (when its already started and in gear) and the charge problem goes away but when I release the ignition back to the On position the loss of charge comes back. Could this also be the ECU shorting out seeing it only happens when it gets water up in that area.

UPDATED 7-5-08: After I replaced the Computer it started making a burning smell and hard to start. I went to get a Air Charge sensor and it wouldnt even crank after that. The motor is still cranking at crank but I think the starter has gone bad? Im pretty sure that wouldnt cause the problems of dieing and not starting for 2 to 3 mins though would it?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
The Stumped Buick owner.
Thursday, July 3rd, 2008 AT 12:43 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
MUSTANG87
  • MECHANIC
  • 261 POSTS
Its weird you spent all that cash and still nothing. You might have a short or the computer is bad. Also try checking the fuel filter maybe its to dirty. You can also get a used computer from your local self serve junk yard so you can try it and see if its that plus you will save money. As long as the computer id numbers match it will be the same. Good luck
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 3rd, 2008 AT 7:10 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links