1994 Pontiac Grand Prix Car dies while driving

PBINVERS

MEMBER
1994 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
11,000 MILES

Alternator and battery have both been replaced and problem still exists. Car will start fine, runs fine, but while driving electronics will start doing odd things, rpm and speed will go way up although speed has not changed. Once you slow down the car shuts off. The check engine light does not come on, but one of the times this happened all lights came on. One weird thing is that the ABS and E-brake light come on generally every time this happens, I doubt that has anything to do with it but thought I would mention it. We then jumper it and drive away.

I think there might be a lose wire that while driving comes loose and when the car is sitting for a little bit it works back to original place. I just don't know where to look first and the engine compartment is cramped.

4 Replies

MMPRINCE4000

MECHANIC
8,548 POSTS

Start by checking the battery connections, remove and clean, especially ground.

Then start on one side of car and work your way to other, inspecting all connections. Remove connectors and spray with electronics cleaner, one at a time.

Look for any wiring near exhaust that is discolored/burnt.

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Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 AT 8:01 AM

PBINVERS

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I looked at it yesterday again, pulled around on connections and nothing felt loose. Let the car sit in place it warmed up, and nothing was weird was happening. Then we turned it off, and when we turned it back on the rpm flickered high a little bit but then settled out. Turned off again and turned on again, same thing, this time though we then decided to try to take for a short ride. When we turned ont he lights the whole dash light up flickering and then the car shut off. We weren't able to get it to turn over after that.
This morning, without putting a charger on it, tried starting it again and got it to fire up but it died shortly after starting, not more than a few seconds of run time.

Is there a sensor by the key or something that might be bad? I know my moms Camry or Miata had an issue like that, where just every so often it would just shut down. Turned out it was a sensor somewhere in the steering column.

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Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 AT 8:58 AM

MMPRINCE4000

MECHANIC
8,548 POSTS

The only way to find out is to take colum apart.

If equipped with an air bag, I would have a shop do it, accidental deployment of air bag can cause injury as well as damage to interior.

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Thursday, December 3rd, 2009 AT 6:30 AM

MISTRESS322