Alright, so I've researched as much as I can, but I'm not really sure whats going on with all these electrical problems. Basically, some are big some are small, and I'll try my best to describe whats happening and if anyone can give me some advice it will be greatly appreciated. Sorry for all the reading...

Car is a 1999 Camaro 3.8 v6

--The biggest problem happened the other day driving, and now again tonight. I was driving normally, 35-50mph, and the engine just shut off. All of my **** stays on, dash lights, headlights, stereo, etc... the engine just shuts off. The security light did not come on either time. I have managed to coast into gas stations both times it's happened (thinking maybe I've run out of fuel since my gas gauge doesnt work) but I'm sure it was FULL tonight. When I try to start it again,the engine will just keep cranking and not fire up. I have good fuel pressure, and I can hear the pump kicking on when the key is in run. I pulled a plug boot and cranked but didn't see spark. Both times, I've had to wait 6-7 hours before the car would start again. Vats? BCM? ICM? My ICM was replaced last year along with all the coils. Fuel filter is new.

--My stereo and windows cut out periodically. Sometimes several times a minute, sometimes not at all. I know this is a BCM issue, but could this have anything to do with the stall/no start problem?

--All of my gauges (except for battery, speedo, and tach) are dead. all stuck in the same place all the time, no mater if the car is on or off. Once, I tried taking the cluster apart and changing the positions of the gauges out of curiosity, and they all went back to the same position as they were previously when the car was started again.

--My lights surge when the car is idling. The previous owner said the alternator was new, and I have put in a new battery as well.


So.... could any of these problems be related? or maybe stem from the same control module/computer? I'm going to check the relays on my BCM tomorrow morning, but I'd really appreciate any input. Thanks in advance!

 

Have you checked the ignition switch. I spend a lot of time on here reading trying to build
my knowledge cause I'm no mechanic and there seem to be several things that could cause this
wish I could help you more

the ignition switch would explain some of the power loss
the problem with it not cranking when the car gets hot and then cranking after completely cooling
would have me thinking heat related. some things that I would check would be
ICM ,crank sensor cam sensor and the thing under the coil pack map sensor
these things may not check bad until the next time its not working

 

Have you scanned it for codes?

 

it is probably your ignition control module. they go out all the time. try that. its not that expensive and it will probably fix the no start. the other wiring issues is a short some where the trick is finding it.

 

I updated my email and never got my confirmation. I had to make a new username...


Okay... so far I have replaced my ICM and did the solder fix on the BCM. Right after the new ICM install, the car started up and I drove it around for an hour with no problems... then this morning, I started it up to go to school, and within 2 minutes, it shut off again and wouldn't start back up. So, it looks like the ICM was not the culprit? I'm thinking crank position sensor? So far I haven't been able to run it long enough to get it to my mech to have codes pulled. I'm not getting any check engine, security, etc lights though.

 

BTW, Fred

I live within walking distance from Second Street Speed in Perkasie. Small world! I just had my headers installed there a couple weeks ago.

 

The diagnostics will almost always work out better than playing parts replacement roulette. It annoys me when I see people recommending parts replacement as the quick cure rather than working logically thru the problem.

Check for a faulty PCM ground. Also the PCM 12V supply wires. I don't have the V6 wiring diagrams to point you in the right direction. Scan still the preferred starting point.