Chevy 3.8L Engine cutout

Last post 09-30-2009 1:35 PM by carnuted. 1 replies.
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  • 07-26-2009 9:06 AM

    Chevy 3.8L Engine cutout

    My 2002 Chevy Impala LS 3.8L v-6 engine suddenly shuts off.  If I'm going at a low speed, the engine completely shuts off (just like I turned off the key) and needs to be restarted. If I'm at highway speed the engine stumbles for 1 to 3 seconds and recovers.  Sometimes when the engine is warm, car will not start immediately but If I wait and retry several times it will start.  Anybody run into this problem before?

    Thanks in advance!

    Someone suggested crankshaft sensor.  Anyone replaced one of these?  Is it a big job?   

     

  • 09-30-2009 1:35 PM In reply to

    Re: Chevy 3.8L Engine cutout

     I would call it in intermediate job.  You will need some special tools to do it, but if you have some experience doing repairs, and not just tune-up and maintainence work, it is not too difficult. First off, do yourself a favor and spend the $15 or so on a Chiltons or Motor manual for your specific car.  The crank sensor on these is behind the crank pully.  To get to it, you must jack up and secure the front of the car with jackstands, remove the passenger side tire and plastic inner dust shields.  You will then need to remove the engine belts(s).  In order to remove the pully, you will either have to use air tools or have someone else hold the engine, usually at the flywheel, which may require the removal of another cover, while you break the pully bolt loose.  Some pullies slide on, but most will require a puller to remove.  If a puller is used, be sure to put a smaller bolt in the hole the pully bolt came out of to protect the threads from the puller itself.  You DO NOT want to crank against those threads and risk damaging them.  Once the pully is removed, the sensor will be behind it, usually installed into a cover that can be easily removed.  Be careful when handling the sensors not to drop or bang them on anything as they are easily damaged.  Assemble in the opposite manner, but be sure to use a torque wrench when installing the pully bolt and torque to the proper specification.  Good luck.

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