Car keeps cutting off and stalling?

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning.

You need three things for the engine to run. Spark, fuel and compression.

I attached some information on how to check for spark and fuel below.

Roy

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:20 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHN1985
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 BUICK LA CROSSE
  • V6
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
My car will take a while to pick up speed some times. And the car will cut off but it will start back up after a few minutes. What can be the problems?
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
It sounds like you have a clogged catalytic converter. Here is a guide to help confirm the issue:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-catalytic-converter

Please run down this guide and report back.

Cheers, Ken

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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRYANSWILIK SWILIK
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2005 BUICK LA CROSSE
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 74,000 MILES
Car will stall while driving, engine light not on, will re-start after several attempts, after I turn key and get nothing it always starts on next try? Cleaned ECM connections, throttle act control module connections, new battery (connections good). Cleaned throttle body, ran scan after it stalled, p0601, p0606, and u0107? I read the codes but, I know what they mean but I do not know where to go from here. Took it to two mechanics both said it would not give them any codes Cost me money for nothing. I would highly appreciate any help I can get, Thanks!
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I'm Danny.

You might want to check PCM connections as well. The codes you provided are for the PCM losing communication between itself and the throttle actuator control. I've attached two pictures below. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRYANSWILIK SWILIK
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I completely removed the PCM and cleaned the connections with electrical cleaner. My problem is I can not afford to take my car to a garage and just give them a blank check. I know what the codes are, I am attempting to narrow it down by checking one thing at a time. Do I replace the PCM? Is that the issue? What made it go bad? When I purchased the car it only had 38,000 miles and is still under 75,000 and I always keep in garage. What do you suggest?
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

Were you able to check the wiring/communication from the PCM to the throttle actuator control using freeze frame data while driving the car or check the throttle actuator control data outputs? If you have access to a professional scanner you can check all parameters and data. As I stated before check communication from the PCM to the throttle actuator control using driveability/data. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRYANSWILIK SWILIK
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
No, I have not. In the past I replaced a few starters, alternator, brake pads, etc. I have zero experience with electrical issues in fact a few weeks ago was the first time I even held a scan tool and it was borrowed from a friend and it was a very inexpensive one. (Although it did pull up those codes I gave you.) Want I need is some educated guesses, some people say it might be a crankshaft position sensor, mass air flow sensor, fuel actuator sensor, bad PCM, and on and on! I am very poor and I don't have the cash to have a mechanic just start replacing parts. So far I mentioned what I did but I am going to try to explain exactly what it is doing : 1) It stalls, mostly when low idle. 2) Turn key several times but just cranks. 3) When I turn key and get nothing, no click, no sound, it always starts on next turn of key? I understand mechanics don't like to guess, please make acception.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRYANSWILIK SWILIK
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I had a used PCM installed it fixed it!
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MR.CHIPS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 2005 BUICK LA CROSSE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 30,000 MILES
At highway speeds and at low speeds, the engine stops running with no warning. STARTING DISABLED warning message shows up on driver information center. The car was hooked up to a computer at a dealer and nothing was found wrong. We tried fixing the problem after we found a TSB 05-06-04-037 which recommended cleaning the negative battery cable. This did not solve the problem.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRIAN 1
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,030 POSTS
Looking at the bulletin you have you only performed half the bulletin, cleaning the negative terminal was only part of the fix, but the other half is the PCM has to be updated with the latest calibration to address a stalling condition. And I've read the bulletin is does not say to clean the neg cable at the battery is states to clean the negative ground that attaches to the body. Clean the neg ground and reflash the PCM and this problem will go away.I'm suprised the dealer didn't look at this bulletin. Post back with any other questions.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Glad you could get it fixed, that kind of problem can be tough. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MR.CHIPS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thank you for the reply.I will take it to a dealer(prob lem is I am in Mexico so I hope they get the same PSB)On another forum, someone suggested that fuse#15 might need to be replaced. Fuse somehow loses connection after car is warm. Any thoughts?
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MR.CHIPS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Forgot to add that we did clean the connection at the frame rail.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRIAN 1
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,030 POSTS
I"ve never heard or seen a bulletin for the #15 fuse needing to be replaced, I think somebody was misinformed. Post back with any other questions.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MR.CHIPS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thanks for the reply.I am in Mexico and language will be a problem. Is reflashing the PCM a common occurrence? Anything, I should try to make clear?Would the TSB number be the same regardless of whether it was the U.S, Canada, or Mexico.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRO2YORK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 BUICK LA CROSSE
Engine Performance problem
2005 Buick La Crosse 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

when I start my buick lacrosse I notice that the RPM needle is rev low, like its about cut off. I use engine restore and fuel injector clean my car is at 85,000 miles should I get a tune up because I talk to people at auto stores and they told me that theres not a replacment part for the fuel fliter?
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRIAN 1
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,030 POSTS
As far as refashing the pcm, it's not a common problem but it is a common thing. If there is a problem with different aspects of the vehicle GM will come up with software to correct a problem, it's more of a calibration for the car, thats why there are software updates. Just tell them you found a bulletin outlining your problem and you fixed the ground but need the pcm reflashed. The tsb number will be the same nomatter what country your in. Some other in for I came across is this tsb:Vehicle may crank and not start or may not stay running intermittently.

Recommendation/Instructions:
Cause:
The 4 bolts that hold the underhood bussed electrical center (UBEC) may become loose, causing a poor connection at the back of the UBEC.

Correction:
Tighten the 4 bolts that hold the UBEC to the inner fenderwell.

If you go to the dealer they have access to these bulletins.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Has the check engine light ever come on? Honestly, if the fuel pump pressure is too low, the engine would be doing more than just idleing low. You can check fuel pump pressure. Let me know if you need directios. Also, try cleaning the mass air flow sensor (MAF). There is a specific cleaner for them.
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MR.CHIPS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thanks for the answers. Took vehicle back to the dealership. They did exactly what you suggested and vehicle no longer stops running thanks
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Thursday, August 6th, 2020 AT 9:21 AM (Merged)

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