Pontiac Repair: stalling on pontiac when driving, pontiac gran prix, fuel pressure regulator

Question
Todd, i have 2000 pontiac gran prix gt w/3.8. recently when we drive the car will start sputtering and cut out. When we try to restart it, it takes 2 or 3 tries but will restart. We recently put a maf sensor in it and it drove great for a couple of months and now its doing the same thing. I replaced the maf sensor again but it is still sputtering and cutting out. Does it sound like a o2 sensor if its stalling or a crank sensor, i'm out of ideas and low on money.

Answer
Hi Jeff:

As I was reading this before I got to your first fix I was thinking MAF sensor. did you put a AC delco sensor in this or a cheap aftermarket one? I HATE aftermarket emission system components!! These engines usually only stall our for 2 reasons MAF or crank sensors. Not much else goes bad on these. When it's running try this first pull the vacuum hose off the fuel pressure regulator, There should be NO RAW GAS in the vacuum line if so the regulator is bad that is another issue these have but it will not prevent it from restarting That's why I'm leaning toward a crank sensor. Has any service engine soon lamp come on? have you have the car scanned for codes? A lot of the big box auto stores will scan for codes for free.. If any codes are stored it's a place to start looking.. Usually a crank sensor will not store any codes when they act up. The engine usually cuts out before the engine computer sees that there is an erratic signal coming from the crank sensor. Lastly an O2 sensor will not prevent the car from restarting and VERY VERY Very rarely will cause a stall issue. Good luck :)