My Monte/Mechanic has been giving me a lot of headaches lately and no one can seem to figure out the problem.

About a month ago as I was driving to work she just died out on me during driving. Couldn't get her started back up - she'd turn but wouldnt start - so I called a tow. Got it to the shop about an hour later and she fired right up with no problem. During this whole time the check engine light never came on. Had my mechanic look at it anyways to avoid causing any further issues. He said it sounded like a fuel pump - and went ahead and replaced the fuel pump and filter.

When I picked the car back up after the repairs - the check engine light was on. Went and had it scanned myself and registered a P0452 code - Fuel tank pressure sensor low. Drove fine, but took it back to the mechanic a few days later to take care of the check engine light. Mechanic said it was a clip or something. Light came on again. Took it back - said he wasn't sure and probably needed a tune up (which is true I'm at 98,500 miles.)

Two weeks to the day after it died - it did the same thing. Died while driving - just like someone turned the key off. No sputtering or anything. Just flat out died. After about 5-6 tries of trying to start it right back up - it wouldn't. Gave it 20 more minutes and I was able to drive it to my mechanic about a mile from where it died. The next day the mechanic put about 100 miles on it trying to get it to die again but he couldn't get it to. She drove fine. He replaced the fuel filter again free of charge...thinking maybe I just had excess debris in the tank clogging the lines etc.

Again - I drove her off. She drove fine for a few days then died again today. When I was able to get her started today - she had trouble shifting to first and would die out again. Wait a little longer and she runs fine. Mechanic is at a loss and told me next time it died to unplug the MAF and see if she starts back up. So thats where I'm at now. P0452 has been the only constant code since the fuel pump replace.

All three times she has died has been on a Monday. Sunday is my day off and the only day the Monte sits all day. Would that have anything to do why she only dies on Mondays? Is something happening during that 24-36 hours shes sitting?

I'm at a loss here...I can't keep doing this! Any advice is appreciated.

 

I had this same problem on both my 1998 Monte Carlo and my 2004. I changed the MAF sensor with a junkyard one and ran fine for about a month after that, but then it started again, so i said screw fixing it and sold the car. As far as the 2004 I actually purchased a new MAF and resolved the problem, I cant recall if the code that popped up its was over 2 years ago. Hope this helps.

 

probably the fuel pump again... im sure they didnt change the fuel filter after the install. u should always change the fuel filter shortly after changing the fuel pump

 

The crank sensor could have a rust layer on the engine block pushing it away from the crank and that sometimes won't cause a code to set. The sensor is still good and if you can get it out without breaking it just carefully sand the rust off the block with a medium grit emery cloth and greaser up with a synthetic grease and put the sensor back in.

This is all if that's the problem. As for the MAF code it could be dirty, the fuel pump should be okay if it was a good quality brand. You could always hook a pressure gauge up and drive it around with it attached and if it won't start check what the pressure is.

Good luck man I hate chasing the little car gremlins!!!