Car stalls while driving

Tiny
MAGNUMOPUS
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 SATURN VUE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 54,600 MILES
My car starts fine, am able to drive it for 10 - 15 minutes (approx 5 to 10 miles) and then the engine just dies. Car is going on momentum, SES and CEL comes on, the security light flashes 3 times and then if I press the accelerator, the car jerks back into power and continues on till it stalls again which could be another 5 to 15 minutes, or on some occasions runs fine till next day when it repeats. Dealer pulled code P1629 and said BCM needs to be replaced, but say that may not solve the problem, and they would replace the ECM after that. They haven't stated what they would replace after that. Crank position sensor is okay. Another mechanic said that he does not think it could be the BCM because all the modules seems to be operating okay and communicating with each other. He found the air intake sensor (built into the air mass flow sensor) was bad and replaced it bu that has not solved the problem. He also checked the electrical harness.

My question is if anyone has an idea of what could be causing the intermittent stalling. Also, one the car has started fine and has been running (meaning that the passlock sent the correct passcode to the BCM and the BCM sent the fuel and spark enable code to the PCM), could the passlock system still shut down the engine. This would mean that the passlock is continuously moniotoring the car (not just during starting) even while driving to verify security.

Thanks for any help you can provide.
Friday, August 13th, 2010 AT 12:10 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/416332_2003_vue_code_P1629_part1_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/416332_2003_vue_code_P1629_part2_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/416332_2003_vue_code_P1629_part3_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/416332_2003_vue_code_P1629_part4_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/416332_2003_vue_code_P1629_part5_1.jpg



I posted the trouble tree for code P1629 if you read the trouble tree it really only lead's you to a bad bcm it doesn't say anything about a bad ecm.Since your problem happens whenever it want's to they would have to keep your car till it happened long enough to follow the trouble tree i posted to tell for sure it was a bad bcm.Here's the bad thing about electronics it will be working perfectly one second then bam it's failing then it could work great for another month.So to give you a answer of what is wrong for sure is not possible it's looking like the bcm though.Especially since the security light comes on when it stall's and won't start.If the bcm is failing then it could stall out while driving.I want you to keep an eye out for other symptoms of a bad bcm like door lock's become inop or key less entry becomes inop fuel gauge reads empty when you know you have gas.inside lights don't work or flash etc.
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Friday, August 13th, 2010 AT 1:12 PM
Tiny
MAGNUMOPUS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Louie,

Thanks for your reply to my question. There are some key differences between what my car is doing and the diagnosis for a bad BCM.

When the car stalls and the security light goes off after blinking 3 times, if I press the accelerator, I immediately have power. So, if I'm driving at 50 mph, and it stalls, speed might drop to 45-40 mph in 3 to 4 seconds and then I have power. Even when the car stalls and dies completely (at lower speeds and if I do not press the accelerator), I am able to start it right back up without any problem by putting the car on park and turning the ignition key. As far as I know the Passlock system checks for security at ignition start time and once the car is up and running, then it enters a safe mode.

In all the posts that I have read about bad BCM and the security module, the people were not able to start the car, or if they started it it died within seconds and they had to wait atleast 10 minutes before they could restart.

I haven't had any issues with either the auto door locks, dash lights, gauges, keyless entry.
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Friday, August 13th, 2010 AT 2:33 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
I had a thought that the throttle bore is dirty causing the PCM to lose correlation between the throttle actuator and the PCM. Try cleaning the actuator to see what happens. Here is a guide.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-throttle-body-works

Please run down this guide and report back

Cheers
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Friday, August 13th, 2010 AT 3:08 PM
Tiny
MAGNUMOPUS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I didn't think that would be the problem but sure enough the actuator has filthy and now the car runs better than it ever has! Thanks 2Carpros
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Friday, August 13th, 2010 AT 3:09 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Good to hear, please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.

Cheers.
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Friday, August 13th, 2010 AT 3:21 PM

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