Car stalls while driving

Good afternoon,

This sounds like it could be the ignition module or the crank sensor.

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

You will need a scan tool to monitor the sensor operations and the module as well. It sounds like the spark is dropping out.

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

Roy

CRANKSHAFT POSITION (CKP) SENSORS

The CKP sensor B is a variable reluctance sensor. The magnetic field of the sensor is altered by a crankshaft mounted reluctor wheel that has seven machined slots, six of which are equally spaced 60 degrees apart. The seventh slot is spaced 10 degrees after one of the 60 degree slots. This sensor provides the ignition control module (ICM) with 7X signals, or seven pulses for each revolution of the crankshaft. The pulse from the 10 degree slot is known as the sync pulse. Both of the sensor circuits are connected to the ignition control module (ICM). A signal converter within the ICM produces digital 3X output pulse to the power-train control module (PCM), the 3X reference is known as the low resolution engine speed signal. The CKP sensor A contains a hall-effect switch. A hall-effect switch is a solid state switching device that produces a digital ON/OFF pulse when a rotating element passes between the sensor tip and a magnet. This rotating element is called an interrupter ring or blade. In this case the interrupter ring has 24 evenly spaced blades and windows and is part of the crankshaft damper assembly. This sensor provides the PCM with 24X signals, or 24 identical pulses per crankshaft revolution. The 24X signal is used for enhanced smoothness and idle stability at a lower calibrated RPM. The PCM supplies the sensor with a 12-volt reference, low reference, and signal circuit.

The machine says it's a mass air flow circuit performance p0101.

You never mentioned it had a code.

Are there any other codes?

Did you replace it yet? I doubt that is the issue.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-mass-air-flow-sensor-maf

Roy

DTC P0101

CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
The mass air flow (MAF) sensor is an air flow meter that measures the amount of air entering the engine. The powertrain control module (PCM) uses the MAF sensor signal to provide the correct fuel delivery for all engine speeds and loads. A small quantity of air entering the engine indicates a deceleration or idle condition. A large quantity of air entering the engine indicates an acceleration or high load condition. The MAF sensor has the following circuits:
An ignition 1 voltage circuit
A ground circuit
A signal circuit

The PCM applies a voltage to the sensor on the signal circuit. The sensor uses the voltage to produce a frequency based on the inlet air flow through the sensor bore.The frequency varies within a range of near 2,000 Hertz at idle to near 10,000 Hertz at maximum engine load. The PCM uses the following sensor inputs to calculate a predicted MAF value:
The barometric pressure (BARO) at key ON
The manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor
The intake air temperature (IAT) sensor
The engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor
The throttle position (TP) sensor
The engine speed (RPM)

The PCM compares the actual MAF sensor frequency signal to the predicted MAF value. This comparison will determine if the signal is stuck based on a lack of variation, or is too low or too high for a given operating condition. If the PCM detects the actual MAF sensor frequency signal is not within a predetermined range of the calculated MAF value DTC P0101 sets.

CONDITIONS FOR RUNNING THE DTC
- DTCs P0102, P0103, P0107, P0108, P0121, P0122, P0123, P0401, P0403, P0404, P0405, P0442, P0443, P0446, P0449, P0455, P0496, P1404 are not set.
The engine is running.
The ignition 1 signal is between 9-18 volts.
The TP sensor angle is less than 25 percent.
The change in the TP sensor angle is less than 1.5 percent.
The MAP sensor is less than 63 kPa.
The change in the MAP sensor is less than 3 kPa.
The above conditions are met for more than 5 seconds.

CONDITIONS FOR SETTING THE DTC
The PCM detects that the actual MAF sensor frequency signal is not within a predetermined range of the calculated MAF value for more than 10 seconds.

ACTION TAKEN WHEN THE DTC SETS
The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the second consecutive ignition cycle that the diagnostic runs and fails.
The control module records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The first time the diagnostic fails, the control module stores this information in the Failure Records. If the diagnostic reports a failure on the second consecutive ignition cycle,the control module records the operating conditions at the time of the failure. The control module writes the operating conditions to the Freeze Frame and updates the Failure Records.

CONDITIONS FOR CLEARING THE MIL/DTC
The control module turns OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after 3 consecutive ignition cycles that the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
A current DTC, Last Test Failed, clears when the diagnostic runs and passes.
A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other emission related diagnostic.
- Clear the MIL and the DTC with a scan tool.

DIAGNOSTIC AIDS
Inspect the harness of the MAF sensor to verify that it is not routed too close to the following components:
Any aftermarket accessories.
The secondary ignition wires or coils
Any solenoids
Any relays
Any motors
A low minimum air rate through the sensor bore at idle or during deceleration may cause this DTC to set. Inspect for the following conditions:
Any deposits on the throttle plate or in the throttle bore
Any vacuum leak downstream of the MAF sensor
Inspect for any contamination or debris on the sensing elements of the MAF sensor.
Inspect the air induction system for any water intrusion. Any water that reaches the MAF sensor will skew the sensor and may cause this DTC to set.
A wide open throttle acceleration from a stop should cause the MAF sensor parameter on the scan tool to increase rapidly. This increase should be from 3-10 g/s at idle to 150 g/s or more at the time of the 1-2 shift. If the increase is not observed, inspect for a restriction in the induction system or the exhaust system.
Inspect for a skewed or stuck ECT sensor.
Inspect for a skewed or stuck TP sensor.
The barometric pressure that is used to calculate the predicted mass air flow value is initially based on the MAP sensor at key ON. When the engine is running the BARO value is continually updated near wide open throttle. A skewed MAP sensor will cause the calculated mass air flow value to be inaccurate and may result in a no start condition. The value shown for the MAP sensor parameter varies with the altitude. With the ignition ON and the engine OFF, 101 kPa is the approximate value near sea level. This value will decrease by approximately 3 kPa for every 305 meters (1,000 feet) of altitude.
A high resistance on the low reference circuit of the MAP sensor may cause this DTC to set.
A high resistance on the signal or the low reference circuit of the ECT sensor may cause this DTC to set.
If the condition is intermittent, refer to Intermittent Conditions. See: Computers and Control Systems > Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview > Intermittent Conditions

No Hun, my car still quits in mid drive going 50 and everything just shuts down and then stalls while I'm driving. I have now put a new fuel pump on it $450.00.

A new crank position sensor $155.00 with tow and labor.
Mass or volume air flow circuit range performance $160. 00 with tow and labor .each time the mechanic said this was the problem so ya hand money get new part still does not work. please help me!

Still wont run after all we have done. still doing the same thing .how can I tell if the new fuel pump is bad?

Did anyone verify those parts failed before replacing them?

Did you or a shop replace both crank sensors?

Roy

No, I don't think. so I will find out Monday it does not throw codes.

Not looking for codes.

This sounds electrical. Ask about the other crank sensor.

Roy

Okay, thank you.

You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy

He said it only has 1 crank and 1 cam sensor and both we changed.

Sorry he is wrong. There are 2. I am sure when he ordered it they asked him which one the 7 times or 24 times.

I sent you the location of both sensors.

Roy

Thank you. I will show him this text Monday morning. Thank you!

You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy

Okay, still says only has one of them parts it runs and drives without shutting off, but still spits and sputters when gear change. Will on go 30 mph going up hill gas to the floor and no speed up hill until I get to a point with I let off gas and hit again gets a little better. until level car out of hill.

There are 2 sensors. he is incorrect.

Roy

Engine Performance problem
2004 Pontiac Aztek 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

I was told by a local mechanic that I had a bad oxygen sensor, but it was ok to go ahead and drive my car.

These past weeks the car takes several tries to get it to start and it seems like it has a miss in it. (Idles really roughly) I was at a red light and the engine just stopped. I put the car in park and it started back up and later when I got home and was letting it idle in my drive way it quit again. Would an oxygen sensor call this?

No, it won't cause that and I doubt the sensor is even bad. What are the code numbers being set in the computer?

Codes from the test indicated O Sensor 1 Bank 1, that has now been replaced will run fine for a few miles then wont idle, engine stalls. Would a leaking fuel filter cause this? I smelled gas after I parked in the drive way, moved my vehicle a few hours later and there was gas on the drive way.

I asked for the code numbers.

I dont know the code numbers, I used a meter at advance auto that basically told me the part. I have no mechanical experience. Totally in the dark about this.

Codes are identified by specific numbers that tell exactly what the situation is. There are at least 40 different numbers associated with O/2 sensors alone and every one of them means something different. Getting an O/2 code rarely means that the sensor itself is bad so the information is necessary.

My vehicle stalled while driving and smell something electrical burning and saw a little smoke from right side of engine. I have had alternator already had a new battery put in.

stalled while driving and smell something electrical burning and saw a little smoke from right side of engine. I have had alternator replaced already had a new battery put in new battery poses , after drove off from mechanic shop it stalled again. also, it has a ignition relay contamination recall.

try cleaning throttle plate on both sides and IAC hole with choke cleaner. if it continues scan for codes and check fuel pressure with a gauge. auto parts rent it. See link.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Electrical problem
2003 Pontiac Aztek 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

how can i bypass a nptu 2 passtime device on my car? it shuts down the starter when i miss a car payment.

you will not find that information here. it is illegal...

i can tell you you can just hook the starter to a switch and push button. but thats up to you to figure out.

take it in and see if you can find a disloyal mechanic to do that.

I have a 2003 pontiac aztek i just changed the oil to syntheic oil and as i was pulling into the store it shut off like the battery just died and now when you run it it shuts off and the tramission is hessitaded to change.

So have you tested the alternator battery etc?

no i haven't but i will have it checked out

Also make sure the battery cables are clean and tight and let me know what you find.

okay thanks so much i will let u know what i find out.

Just bought a 2001 Aztek. Ran great for the 2 hour drive home. Now however, when we slow down to turn a corner the car will stall. It does not appear to do it if you accelerate hard into the corner. The check engine light soon is on, but the mechanic who certfied it tested everything and says there are no isses, they believe it is a ghost code. There is also a little bit of a whine if you turn the wheel sharp left or right, which happens even if the car is stationary. Thanks.

Hi diana-leebarlow,

Thank you for the donation.

The CEL indicating means a fault has been detected by the engine computer. If you are not able to retrieve the code, then you would need to plug in the scanner and test drive with it to get the freeze frame data.

The stalling could be due to the CEL or just the idling system needs some cleaning/adjustment.

As to the whining noise, it most probably is from the power steering system and it could be a bad pump or the pressure hoses.

Your welcome keep me posted.

The car has been scanned and it returns no codes.

Would a bad power steering pump cause it to stall and make whining noises in turns?

i sure will i will have to wait untill tomorrow to check it cause my husband is a sleep. see as i was pulling in the store it just shut off and as i drove it home the tranmission was hesiated to change but it changed and as i pulled in my drive way and turned my lights on brighted it died. this is the frist time this has ever happen to my car like this.

If the pump is whining due to bead bearings, that can mean it is exerting extra load on the engine and can cause stalling at low engine speeds.
When turning the steering in a stationary position, does the engine speed drops or maintains?
What is the idling speed?

Alright talk to you soon.

I went ouside and started my car as i started it. it cut off and nothing was working then i moved the batt wires and it started right up.