What else to check for when engine wont stay running

2000 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE
156,000 MILES
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GMORRILL
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I have a 2000 Pontiac Bonneville 3.8 not supercharged and 157,000 miles that wont stay running. It starts but then stops.I have replaced the ignition switch. I have replaced the crankshaft position sensor. I haved swapped out all 3 coils with ones I know work also swapped out maf sensor too. The fuel pressure is 42psi and raises up to 50 something with acceleration. What else is left before she finds the scrap pile?
Oct 9, 2011 at 6:54 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Can you keep it running if you try or does it just shut down?
Oct 9, 2011 at 7:11 PM
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GMORRILL
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It just shuts down. Battery has charge plugs and wires under 2 years old too.
Oct 9, 2011 at 7:24 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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You need to check to see if power is lost to the coil when the key returns back to the run position.
Oct 9, 2011 at 7:36 PM
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GMORRILL
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Where should I meter this?
Oct 9, 2011 at 7:40 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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At the coil
Oct 9, 2011 at 8:41 PM
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GMORRILL
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Does it matter which one of the 3 coils or test each one?
Oct 9, 2011 at 9:00 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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I won't matter which one. I think either the ignition switch or PCM may be an issue. In the start position, power is directed to the ignition switch differently than when it is in the run position. Therefore, you get power in the start position, and when you release the key to the run position, power is lost and it stalls. This is at least my theory at this point.
Oct 9, 2011 at 9:35 PM
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GMORRILL
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The ignition switch is new and what does PCM stand for. I am assuming power control module. Thanks for your input.
Oct 9, 2011 at 10:29 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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That is correct, Power Control Module.
Oct 10, 2011 at 2:46 AM
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GMORRILL
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One other thing I found on line was a possibility of a bad ballast resistor. There is no one I know that has any clue what or where a ballast resistor is.
Oct 10, 2011 at 2:55 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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That is a resister that did the same thing as I described. However, Chrysler used them and stopped in the early to mid 70's.
Oct 10, 2011 at 3:03 AM
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GMORRILL
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Thanks again 1 less thing to worry about. Will look into the PCM.
Oct 10, 2011 at 3:07 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Let me know what you find.
Oct 10, 2011 at 4:03 AM