'94 Stalls randomly while driving, and sometimes surges

Series I L27 (1992-1994 SE,SLE, SSE) & Series II L36 (1995-1999 SE, SSE, SLE) and common problems for the Series I and II L67 (all supercharged models 92-99) Including Olds 88's, Olds LSS's, Olds 98 91-96, Buick Lesabres and Park Avenue 91-96. Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.
Post Reply
gk35
SLE Member
SLE Member
Posts: 27
Joined: Sat Nov 14, 2015 4:47 pm
Year and Trim: 1994 Bonneville SE

'94 Stalls randomly while driving, and sometimes surges

Post by gk35 »

I have a '94 with 244K miles on it. I've been struggling with diagnosing a random stalling issue over the past 18 months. Stall occurs on straight highways at 65 MPH as well as in town driving. Frequency of stalling is low. I can go a few weeks with no issue, then one day it may stall once, or multiple times. Each time it occurs, I pull over and turn the ignition off for a few seconds. The engine will start up right away, and I can usually continue on my way.

SES light does not correlate with the problem. Sometimes its on, sometimes its off. I cannot read the codes, as this engine is OBD 1.5 :banghead:
Engine coolant temp is normal according to the dash gauge.

The second issues is sometimes the engine will begin to surge while driving. When this occurs, I'll pull over and put the trans in park. The idle will shoot up to around 3K RPM. I'll then turn the engine off, wait a few seconds and restart. This will bring the engine back to a normal <1K RPM idle speed.

Here's whats been replaced over the past 18 months: Battery, alternator, cam sensor, crank sensor, IAC, TPS.

Your suggestions/comments will be greatly appreciated!
Top
User avatar
J Wikoff
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 17080
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 7:01 pm
Year and Trim: 1992 SSE
2009 G8 GT
Location: Central Illinois
Contact:
Contact J Wikoff

Re: '94 Stalls randomly while driving, and sometimes surges

Post by J Wikoff »

Did you inspect the wiring to the crank sensor? It could be intermittently shorting in the loom.
Image
WHITE WHINE - 1992 SSE Supercharged 236.26 ci (.040 Over) 15.090 at 90.2 MPH on old engine w/ slipping trans & melted O2 sensor - Gen 3 M62 and matching TB, Gen 2 Pully, Zillamotorsports Ported LIM, YT 1.72 Roller Rockers, SII FPR & Injectors, Hypertech Thermomaster chip w/ 160 Thermo, TransGo Shift Kit, Infinity/Pioneer Speakers & a 10" Alpine Type R Sub, all the watts, 140 amp Alternator, Ricepipe CAI w/ heatshield, Pilot Angel Eye Foglights, Clear Corners, '02 17" Chrome Bent 5's, Magnaflow F-Body Muffler and Hi-flo Cat, Ceramic Coated Ported Exhaust Manifolds, Fan Override, Monroe Reflex struts, red calipers
2009 G8 GT - Sport Red Metallic, loaded, SOLO Axlebacks, Rotofab Intake, Tuned, autodim mirror, removed intake manifold cover, HSV GTS triple gauge pod, two tone red-hot shifter and HSV SuperSport steering wheel, GXP rear sway bar and diffuser, 3.45 diff and various Camaro suspension bits, LED Taillights
Top
gk35
SLE Member
SLE Member
Posts: 27
Joined: Sat Nov 14, 2015 4:47 pm
Year and Trim: 1994 Bonneville SE

Re: '94 Stalls randomly while driving, and sometimes surges

Post by gk35 »

Haven't thought of inspecting the wiring to the crank sensor. Will look into that.
Top
User avatar
J Wikoff
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 17080
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 7:01 pm
Year and Trim: 1992 SSE
2009 G8 GT
Location: Central Illinois
Contact:
Contact J Wikoff

Re: '94 Stalls randomly while driving, and sometimes surges

Post by J Wikoff »

It's not uncommon to get pinched and worn if you follow it up, you'll see.
Image
WHITE WHINE - 1992 SSE Supercharged 236.26 ci (.040 Over) 15.090 at 90.2 MPH on old engine w/ slipping trans & melted O2 sensor - Gen 3 M62 and matching TB, Gen 2 Pully, Zillamotorsports Ported LIM, YT 1.72 Roller Rockers, SII FPR & Injectors, Hypertech Thermomaster chip w/ 160 Thermo, TransGo Shift Kit, Infinity/Pioneer Speakers & a 10" Alpine Type R Sub, all the watts, 140 amp Alternator, Ricepipe CAI w/ heatshield, Pilot Angel Eye Foglights, Clear Corners, '02 17" Chrome Bent 5's, Magnaflow F-Body Muffler and Hi-flo Cat, Ceramic Coated Ported Exhaust Manifolds, Fan Override, Monroe Reflex struts, red calipers
2009 G8 GT - Sport Red Metallic, loaded, SOLO Axlebacks, Rotofab Intake, Tuned, autodim mirror, removed intake manifold cover, HSV GTS triple gauge pod, two tone red-hot shifter and HSV SuperSport steering wheel, GXP rear sway bar and diffuser, 3.45 diff and various Camaro suspension bits, LED Taillights
Top
User avatar
95naSTA
Certified Bonneville Nut
Certified Bonneville Nut
Posts: 7087
Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 11:47 pm
Year and Trim: 95 SLE
Location: Philadelphia
Contact:
Contact 95naSTA

Re: '94 Stalls randomly while driving, and sometimes surges

Post by 95naSTA »

How does the battery ground wire look? Specifically, the copper under the insulation at both connection points?

Also, is there any corrosion on the ground bus bars under the front door kick panels?
Image
95 SLE... a keeper. 241k miles. Low and Slow.
97 BMW 528i
98 Infiniti vq35'd i30: 13.3@104mph, 30MPG Hwy (RIP)
02 Jag X-type
03 BMW M5
05 Chevy Cobalt LS
07 Infiniti G35s 6MT (Sold)
07 Ducati Monster S2R 800 with DS1000 swap
83 Yamaha IT175K
72 Yamaha DS7: '74 RD250 swap, JL chambers

Info on dropping a 92-99: Here.
Top
gk35
SLE Member
SLE Member
Posts: 27
Joined: Sat Nov 14, 2015 4:47 pm
Year and Trim: 1994 Bonneville SE

Re: '94 Stalls randomly while driving, and sometimes surges

Post by gk35 »

I'll check battery terminals and ground bus bars as you suggest! Looks like it will be a busy weekend.

95naSTA wrote:How does the battery ground wire look? Specifically, the copper under the insulation at both connection points?

Also, is there any corrosion on the ground bus bars under the front door kick panels?
Top
CavemanDan
SE Member
SE Member
Posts: 15
Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2020 11:55 am
Year and Trim: 1994 SSEi
1992 SSEi

Re: '94 Stalls randomly while driving, and sometimes surges

Post by CavemanDan »

I have a 94 that did a similar thing. I ran it for years and it seemed to stumble here and there. And then one day I couldn't pull out of the driveway cause it kept dying and shooting up to 3,000 RPM. It was consistent with your SES light because it didnt matter if it was on or off the car would do whatever it wanted. Turned out to be the PCM itself. Replaced the box and plugged my PROM into the new one and it still runs smooth today.
Top
Post Reply

Return to “1992-1999”