Engine Surges, Loses Power And Stalls

9.6

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$230
Average Mileage:
110,300 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
  2. replace capacitor and ignition module (1 reports)
  3. replace fuel pressure regulator (1 reports)
1997 Pontiac Bonneville engine problems

engine problem

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1997 Pontiac Bonneville Owner Comments

problem #5

Jan 162013

Bonneville SSE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have had to have tow truck numbers on my speed dial.

- Jc C., Jeffersonville, IN, US

problem #4

Aug 182008

Bonneville V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,305 miles

Posting this on behalf of my mom who isn't really into blogging and BBS'es and all that...For several months prior to Aug-2008 she complained that at least 2-3 times a day the engine in the Bonneville would stall, usually when letting up on the gas and preparing to stop, like at a stop light. This would be after the engine had been running a while and was warmed up. After waiting about 30 seconds the engine would start right up again and she would be on her way. It wouldn't seem to stall while she had her foot on the gas, though, just when she was getting ready to stop. Several visits to the local Firestone shop got her a lot of head-scratching, followed by replacement of pretty much the whole ignition system, part by part. Spark plugs, plug wires, ignition control module - you name it, they replaced it and proclaimed the problem "fixed." No luck.

Some $1200 later she broke down and took it to the Pontiac dealer (this was before GM killed Pontiac, when there were still dealers...), setting a $500 limit on how much more she would spend. The service manager said that it sounded a lot like something he'd seen a few times before and quoted something called a "fuel pressure regulator." The part was only about $80 but the labor brought the total to just under $400. My mom had the work done and the car has not stalled since. In fact, it runs so nicely that she seems to want to keep it for the time being. I've driven it a few times and it really is a nice car.

- Chris B., Greendale, IN, US

problem #3

Feb 032009

Bonneville

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,000 miles

Ok, when it's cold, my car will start without problems. Once the engine is warmed up and you shut her off, about 10-15 minutes later it acts like it has no power at all after start up, and will fall on its face. I have replaced the throttle position sensor, mass air flow meter, plugs and wires, and tested the coils and the module under them.

I am at a loss and want to find out what is wrong with it because I love my Bonne!!! I hope that someone can give me insight.

- ruedye20009, Alger, OH, US

problem #2

Aug 082008

Bonneville SE 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 149,000 miles

Car has stalled 3 times since July 2008, always after being driven for a while. First two times, it started up again only after sitting for 15-20 minutes. Took it to the dealer in mid July of 2008 after the second stall, spent $1200. Dealer replaced EGR valve and lower manifold cover (which evidently goes bad most of the time on '97 Bonnevilles, anyway), and told me I was good to go. About 3 weeks later on August 8, 2008, I set off on a trip. Hit stop and go traffic for the first 10 miles (took about 35 minutes to get through it), and then traffic loosened up a bit. Car started to run a little rough at highway speed, and then something changed and car would not drive over 10 MPH no matter how hard I pressed on the gas. When I took my foot off the gas, the car still went 10 mph. I drove 2 miles up the shoulder of the highway (road was on uphill angle). Eventually, the car shut off. I let it sit a couple of seconds, restarted it, and it drove normally. Pulled off the road for 30 minutes to rest. When I restarted again, it drove fine for the entire 40 mile trip home. I was glad to get home, but I was very annoyed to have missed the event that I was heading out to see. Does anybody know what I should do? The Check Engine light did not come on this time, although it did during the 2 stalls before it was "fixed". Should I just chuck this thing and buy something else? Help!

- rocheller, Devon, PA, US

problem #1

Dec 182006

(reported on)

Bonneville 301 V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

As long as the car is sitting still, it idles fine, but once you put it in gear and start driving, it surges, lose power and cuts off -- while drive, I can put it in neutral and re-crank it only to go through the same process of surging, losing power and cutting off.

- aniya28328, Clinton, NC, US

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