Alero Starts then Shuts Off
 

Hello everyone. A while ago I had posted a thread about how my car would randomly shut off. During that ordeal, I replaced the fuel pump, fuel filter, ignition module, Ignition coil, spark plug boots, and spark plugs. A While before that I also replaced the battery and had my alternator repaired.

For a while, my car seemed to be working perfectly fine. Today however, I encountered a new issue. I went to the store in the morning, and my car turned on without issues. I go to work, same thing. A couple of hours later, I am on my way to lunch and my car starts then immediately shuts off. Since lunch, my car has not been able to stay on for more than a second. The security light does not seem to turn on, nor do I see any other lights.

Any ideas on what it could be? I am thinking ignition switch. Any other ideas?

agree

Could be. There is a recall for the ignition switch. So take advantage of that.

I just came from visiting my car. A neighbor suggested it could be the starter. So we went, and we did two things. We disconnected the battery cable a couple of minutes and lightly tapped the starter. After doing that my car turned on and I brought it back home. Now I guess I will wait for the weekend to take it to the mechanic. I don't really trust the car enough to keep using it like that. If it is the switch, I will see what gm does with the recall.

I went to the dealer a couple weeks ago to ask about the ignition recall for my 2003 Alero and the service writer looked up my VIN # in their program and it said there is no ignition switch recall for our vehicles. I did this cuz my tumbler is sticky.

As for your issue the switch could be the problem for sure. If the car is not getting a signal from your MAF that could do it as well. If you have the 3.4. Doesn't sound like a fuel issue because the car just flat shuts off. It's an ignition issue which the computer controls. Crank sensor can also cause this start and shut off issue. Does it do it when the car is cold or hot? Or does it do it no matter what temp the engine is?

I highly doubt a bad ignition switch would cause a start-stall condition.

Thats weird cause there was just a recall out for these cars.