ok today i started my car after getting back in it from the market and it started turned over and died (service engine soon came on)
then it all at once died at a light after that. what could the problem be.

 

PPZ28,

The "CHECK ENGINE" light should always be on when the ignition is on and the engine isn't running. The error code generated by this is a '12' - "No distributor reference pulses". Well, duh! The distributor isn't turning, thank you very much GM. I'm not sure why that code even exists, since it would rarely be useful. But it's there anyway, and that's why the lamp is on when the engine isn't running.

Now if the lamp came on BEFORE the engine died, that would be a different story entirely. You would have to scan for error codes to help determine the problem. It could be related to fuel, ignition, idle speed, and a number of other possibilities.

As for the reason for stalling, the code scan may be helpful, maybe not. A little more detail on the problem might help too. Did the engine run normally until it stalled, or did it run roughly? Did it start easily or did you have to crank it a long time? Was the RPM normal? What about voltage? Anything additional would be helpful.

 

Vader... not 100% sure but you know how when you turn the key to the on position, and the check engine light lights up? You can use that as a test, to make sure the computer works and that the light bulb is good. Code 12 in this case I'm thinking would be a dummy code--just to let you know the computers in good working condition? Otherwise it's possible for you to have a blown check engine light bulb... and that could make a small problem a lot worse.

 

83Z,

Understood. I was just making a point to PPZ that the lamp should be on, and the reason why. The lamp could have been tested at cranking with all the other indicator lamps through different means, however, making the DTC 12 a little more meaningful for diagnostic use.

 

I had a similar problem with mine..there was some carbon buildup in the throttle plate. Once that got cleaned out it never did it again.

 

My problem is a lazy/weak IAC. I'm almost 100% positive thats what it is... just dies for no reason at all... Mine is getting replaced this Friday. Try it, it can't hurt, and it's just another new thing that you won't have to worry about diagnosing down the road.

(BTW, cleaning helps sometimes, but not always, if it's worn out, it's worn out...)