1988 Pontiac Bonneville LE
3.8L 3800 Series V6
101,000 miles

I recently purchased this car and it died on me while driving. After pushing the two ton car off the road I was able to start it and drove it home. I thought I was low on gas because these old gas gauges aren't always accurate. I filled it up with a can and it started again just fine. The next day it wouldn't run but would turn over. I checked the fuel line, fuel pump, sparks from the plugs, battery, alternator. Nothing was broken or damaged. I had a 1988 Delta 88 that had an ignition module go bad and would cause it to idle rough but no stalling. Could it be that with different symptoms? Or is it my worst fear, a crankshaft sensor or ecm module? I read that some symptoms for a failing crankshaft sensor are stalling, vibration, intermittent starting, hesitation, and check engine light. I noticed it vibrated a lot in the steering wheel compared to my Delta 88 which had no vibration at all. It also hesitated a few times when accelerating but I thought nothing of it being an old car. It never showed a check engine light and my code reader didn't pull any codes.

Anybody have the same problems and what needs to be fixed?

Everything I've heard on these era of Bonne's is that when that starts happening, that's usually an indicator that the coil packs are cutting out. Mine does this as well every once in awhile and is why I am going to update it with the Type II swap. It's only a guess but if no codes are being thrown that would be the most likely.

I'd do the fuel filter just for grins if it hasn't been done recently. Switching to the type II ignition will only take about 15 minutes, if you have all the parts. I stopped having all kinds of ignition problems since I switched to the type II. - BC

Thread with Information on the Type II upgrade:
performance/topic1684.html?hilit=' ' ICM Bracket ' '
- BC

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In Memory of Brad - 1/21/1977 .. 10/23/2013 ...... Aaron - 1977 .. 2017 .....
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ..... 1992 Bonneville SSE 1SB 170 HP L27 4T60E retired/sold to MattStrike ..... 2005 Bonneville SE 1SC 205 HP L36 4T65E - retired/salvage yard ..... PBCF user 2321

most likely the ICM is overheating and shorting out inside. I had 4 of them do this to me on warranty, I finally changed to the type II delco ignition from the series 1 NA engines and haven't had problems since.

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-Austin-
1988 LE, Intercooled L67 loading......

2000 SSEi R.I.P. Dead now :( INTENSE FWI, polished LIM, P&P supercharger, custom radiator, standalone trans cooler, trans-go shift kit (donating to the 88)

2002 2500HD Silverado with the 8.1 Vortec and Alison tranny. Likes to eat GT Mustangs and lots of tires, and all while stock!