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Chevrolet Impala Starting/Stalling Problems

45 messages,  Last post on Jan 30, 2013 at 6:14 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Impala, Sedan

Messages Page 1 of 5

#1 of 45 3800 Intermitten Starting problem by neustkg

Feb 02, 2008 (11:59 am)

Thought I would post this here as the Impala can have the same engine.
 
I have a 2000 Grand Prix GT w/3800 V6. Has about 89,000 miles. It seems to always start when it is cold. After it warms up completely, if you turn it off (to go into a store, etc.), and try to start it again, it sometimes will not start (happened about 3 times in the last month). It turns over, but won't start (sounds like it is flooded). It will sometimes eventually start after numerous tries, but will always start when the engine cools completely.
 
We took it into a decent local shop, but they told me it hasn't thrown any codes. They said it could be the crankshaft sensor, ignition module, or fuel pump. They don't want to just start replacing parts as each repair can be costly with the fuel pump being the most expensive. We were hoping that it would start failing more often, especially when they had it (it always started for them) as they can't really do much as long as it always starts for them. We thought the car problems were consistent (always starts when when cold, sometimes won't start when warm, but will eventually start when engine gets cold), but it threw us a curve the other day when the engine stalled while my wife was turning into our development. Luckily, she was able to coast it a half mile to our driveway. Again, after it cooled, it started.
 
I have heard that a bad battery or one that will soon fail (or one that is defective) can possibly cause this (the battery in the car is 4 years old), so I might take it to a shop and have them check it and maybe replace it anyway as this would be the cheapest fix that I can do myself.
 
Has anyone had this problem w/the 3800 V6? Any advice? I'm hoping that if the battery doesn't do it, the car will start failing so the shop can fix the problem.

#2 of 45 Re: 3800 Intermitten Starting problem [neustkg] by nosirrahg

Feb 03, 2008 (12:12 am)

Replying to: neustkg (Feb 02, 2008 11:59 am)
I had a 2000 Impala with the 3.8l engine...invariably when I had quirky electronic problems come up, they'd be followed by a dead battery...and when the battery was replaced, the problems went away. Can't say for certain that's your problem, but I had my car 8 years and I replaced the battery 3 times...first one lasted right around 3 years, 2nd one maybe lasted 2 years, and the 3rd one about the same. I just sold the car a few weeks ago with a battery that was about a year old, so I don't know how long it will hold up. Don't know what the problem was with short battery life, but I'd definitely get the battery checked, and if it's bad (or going that way) replace it and see if your other problems persist or not. I never had stalling issues, but had weird things going on with the radio controls and such that went away once the battery died and was replaced.

#3 of 45 Re: 3800 Intermitten Starting problem [nosirrahg] by neustkg

Feb 03, 2008 (8:03 am)

Replying to: nosirrahg (Feb 03, 2008 12:12 am)
Well, I plan on going to Sears Automotive today to have them check the battery. It is 4 years old, and batteries tend to need replacing (for most of my cars) around that timeframe anyway. There's a good chance the cranking amps may be low enough that it won't start on cold winter day between now and late march, so it that's the case, I'll replace the battery.

#4 of 45 Re: 3800 Intermitten Starting problem [neustkg] by ike12

Feb 16, 2008 (4:23 pm)

Replying to: neustkg (Feb 02, 2008 11:59 am)
This intermintent starting issue and now with it stalling when it gets hot i be inclined to think you have a crank sensor. I had the same problem with a differant gm vehicle. im also a mechanic in central ny and i have seen that problem with those morors before. sometimes it can be a problem with the the security system. if that was the case it would just be an intermintent no start wouldnt matter if the car was hot or cold, but it wouldnt stall if it was in the security system. anyway my advise is change that crank sensor and ill bet your problem will go away.

#5 of 45 Re: 3800 Intermitten Starting problem [ike12] by neustkg

Feb 18, 2008 (5:23 pm)

Replying to: ike12 (Feb 16, 2008 4:23 pm)
Thanks for replying.
 
Since I changed the battery (the old one was pretty much done for), I haven't had the problem in about 2 weeks (since Super Bowl Sunday). I'm pretty much sure the battery wasn't the cause of the problem and hope I'll see a code next time the car won't start. I am leaning heavily towards crank shaft sensor, too, but my shop advised against changing it until it fails and they witness the problem or see a code (just in case it might be fuel pump or ignition module).

#6 of 45 2001 Impala cranks but no start.... by cessna175

Feb 27, 2008 (10:29 am)

Iv'e had the security problems with my 01 Imapla but a new ign sw cured that. Now it cranks but no start sometimes. The Tech II scan tool showed low voltage to ign module and a crankshaft position sensor fault. I replaced the ign module and it worked for 5 weeks. Thought I had it fixed. Now it'll sometimes crank but not start. No ign from coil packs. I have power at 60A underhood fuses and power thru 15A DFI MDL fuse. Last time it wouldn't start I tapped on the IGN RELAY with a MAG light and it started. Swapped relay with foglamp relay but it still doesnt always start. The CRK PSN snsor is next but it's a bitch to get at. I'm actually looking at a 2008 Malibu and this can be someone else's problem.

#7 of 45 2001 Impala cranks but no start.... by neustkg

Feb 27, 2008 (1:58 pm)

If it is crankshaft pos. sensor, it will be around $250 to replace at a reputable shop (non-GM). I'm looking at that type of replacement, too, but the shop wants to make sure it is the crankshaft pos. sensor and not cam pos. sensor. Since replacing the battery, it died on the road (in motion) twice. The shop got an intermittent crankshaft sensor code, but want to make sure it isn't that and another thing, etc.

#8 of 45 Re: 2001 Impala cranks but no start.... [neustkg] by cessna175

Feb 27, 2008 (10:44 am)

Replying to: neustkg (Feb 27, 2008 1:58 pm)
It just so happens my son in a Chevy auto tech, 12 years in the business. He helps me keep it going. My '93 Silverado has 213K miles on it, thanks to him. The itermittent ign has him baffled too. Everytime I have him look at it, it works OK. The last time it would not start, he came right over and put the scan tool on it and guess what, no DTC's, Diagnostic Trouble Codes. He says he's seen camshaft sensors go bad but not too often crankshaft sensors. It was my idea to replace the ign module for troubleshooting. 200 bucks! He didn't want to replace it unless he knew it was bad. However, my wife said I'm not driving it til you do something cause it had quit twice while we were driving it. Replace something! That's how we used to fixed the airliners I worked on. The CRK POS SNSR is $59 and he said he'd put one in for me since the ign mdl didn't fix it. I'll let you know. Randy

#9 of 45 Crankshaft Pos. Sensor by neustkg

Feb 29, 2008 (11:30 pm)

Had the above sensor replaced along with the fuel filter (which probably needed to be replaced). I am hoping this does the trick and the problem wasn't something else, like camshaft pos. sensor (knock on wood). Cost me about $330 and I'd like to not spend another $250 or so for the cam pos. sensor.

#10 of 45 Re: Crankshaft Pos. Sensor [neustkg] by cessna175

Mar 05, 2008 (8:47 am)

Replying to: neustkg (Feb 29, 2008 11:30 pm)
My stalling 2001 Impala problem went away when I traded it for a 2008 Malibu the other day. No problems with that Impala for 95K miles til last summer when it began to act up. It quit in Wisconsin the other night 100 miles from home. That was the last straw I guess. At least it was 40 above and not 40 below that night. Waited 30 minutes and it started right up. Stayed in the right lane all the way home cause it kinda shakes your confidence in your car. It's at my son's dealership right now in the back row. If it acts up there, he'll have to fix it. One last thing, on our last trip home, at Powers Lake Wisconsin, the Check Engine light came on!! At least it set a fault so they can troubleshoot it.

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