Problems with my car starting and randomly shutting off

Tiny
BRANDY HARRIS
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 SATURN L300
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Hello, so I have been having problems with my car starting. There are times it runs fine and then will shut off randomly or when I go to turn it on it wont start at all. I will wait awhile and it will start again. Sometimes just shuts off while driving. If I buy a used ECM same year make and model are they VIN spacific? What is the process on getting it to work? Just the relearn process?
Friday, November 15th, 2019 AT 9:45 AM

9 Replies

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

Even though it is the same number, it must be flashed to your VIN number to operate correctly. It will throw codes for VIN mismatch.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-stalls

A used ECM you have a 50/50 chance of working. Some are able to program and some will not accept the update.

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

Do you have any codes stored in your ECM?

Roy
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Friday, November 15th, 2019 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
BRANDY HARRIS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
No codes. My car has been doing this for awhile. I just changed the fuel pump thinking it was a fuel problem. My godfather is a retired mechanic but can only do so much. He was looking under the hood and I guess when he tapped on the ECM the car would shut off when I got to a certain temperature (exactly what it has been doing). But also the mass air flow sensor keeps going out. I had it lifetime warranted but as soon as it was changed something would make it go out again. So do I have to got directly to GM to have that flashed and is it an expensive repair? I know new ECM's are not cheap.
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Friday, November 15th, 2019 AT 1:50 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Yes, that sounds like the ECM.

No, call around to local shops and see if they can program it for you. Most shops have the scan tool for this.

As far as price, $125.00 to $150.00 is the going rate for programming.

Roy
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Friday, November 15th, 2019 AT 1:57 PM
Tiny
BRANDY HARRIS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Does it sound like a crank shaft sensor?
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Saturday, November 16th, 2019 AT 9:16 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Not at this time. If you had a crank sensor issue, it would code.

Did you replace the ECM?

Roy
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Saturday, November 16th, 2019 AT 9:19 AM
Tiny
BRANDY HARRIS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
No, I got one but have not had it flashed. We changed the mass air flow sensor and the car was running like new for a whole day. Hadn't driven like that in awhile. Went to work drove home, to car wash. Pulled in my alley. Car was running for maybe 10 minutes went to drive the car around front and boom shut off leaving the alley. Wouldn't start. Left it over night and this morning started right up again.
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Sunday, November 17th, 2019 AT 12:46 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Did it set any codes?

Roy
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Sunday, November 17th, 2019 AT 1:39 PM
Tiny
BRANDY HARRIS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
No, but I actually had one of my customers bring his scanner today and we got come clarity. They read P0335 crankshaft position sensor and P0136 sensor bank #2.
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Sunday, November 17th, 2019 AT 5:16 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Below is the procedure and location of the sensor. Make sure the connector is clean, tight and no damaged terminals.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/crankshaft-angle-sensor-replacement

Roy

REMOVAL
1. Remove crankshaft position (CKP) sensor bolt.
2. Disconnect CKP sensor electrical connector.
3. Remove O-ring from CKP sensor.

INSTALLATION
1. Grease O-ring with mineral oil based grease.
2. Install new O-ring.
3. Connect CKP sensor electrical connector.
4. Gently press CKP sensor into place.
5. Install CKP sensor bolt.

Torque Crankshaft Position Sensor Bolt: 8 N.m (71 in-lbs)
Image (Click to make bigger)
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Sunday, November 17th, 2019 AT 5:25 PM

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