[Jasper]

The car stalled and died while coming to a red light from about 50 mph, running fine on the highway. The battery light came on. When I tried to crank, it wouldn’t turn over. Tried to bump start it no luck but then tried to crank it again, and it ran fine battery light went away. Since then no issues. New starter. Tested the alternator at AutoZone, and they said it’s fine and new battery. Could anybody tell me what could have happened. All the connections seem to be fine. All the grounds seem to be good. It acted almost like a compression issue, maybe. It’s also been having dying on the highway for like just one second and cutting back on. Could it be fuel interruption? Like the fuel filter or pump? It’s a 2000 Buick LeSabre.

[Tonyy]

Spray starting fluid in the intake near the throttle body.

[Jasper]

Any update on this? I’m always interested to learn what the repair is, even though I’m retired and will probably not work on cars again.

Just looked it up and the 3800 was the only motor that came with the LeSabre that year. Like I mentioned, when you get home or at your destination, tap the mass airflow sensor. Not too hard, they’re brittle. But if it’s stumbles, when you tap it, that’s your sign.

[Wesley]

By reading the comments, you are describing a stall, then crank/no start. Unless the battery light was on before it stalled it’s not a charging issue, plus if the battery was drained down to the point the engine wouldn’t run, then it certainly wouldn’t crank.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the fuel pressure regulator wasn’t intermittently leaking, which floods the engine at idle and makes it difficult to start.

[Besticanafford]

If the battery light came on, I’d check your grounds and wiring first. Rusty ground strap could easily be the root issue. Check your SERP belt while you’re in there.

[Besticanafford]

Read the in service date on the battery. If it is over 5 years, it is time to replace it.

[Matthew]

I would lean towards fuel pump issue / wiring to it. The no start description, if it would crank over, that is. If it wouldn’t crank, I would lean towards battery connection.

[Gerry]

If the battery light came on after the car stalled, that is normal. Or very well could be an injector, getting hot and shutting down all the other injectors. Very common on this vehicle, especially if it’s a 3.1 or 3.4 motor, Ohm them out while the car is hot and compare them to each other. If it’s a 3800 engine, I would lean towards the MAF sensor. Next time after a long drive, tap the MAF sensor lightly with a screwdriver or wrench. If it stumbles, that’s probably where your problem is.

[Author]

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