[gdwriter]

My 91 DeVille stalls repeatedly, and it's driving me crazy. I have replaced all the fuel injectors with new ones from Fiveomotorsport, and because I was getting a code E41 (Cam Sensor Signal Problem), I put in a new camshaft position sensor. And it still stalls!

I cleared the codes after replacing the cam sensor, and after this morning's latest batch of stalls, I ran the diagnostics and have the following codes:

E12 - No Distributor Signal
E53 - Distributor Signal Interrupt

The car will generally stall when coasting down from speeds above 45 MPH. I drive a two-line state highway about 15 miles, and the car tends to stall when I'm slowing down as I get into town. Last night, it stalled as I slowed down to turn into my neighborhood (I've gotten adept at making turns without the benefit of power steering). This morning, it took several tries to get the car started, and it smelled like the engine was flooded, which I know is impossible with fuel injection. But it was that rich gas smell.

I've already had to be towed home once (thanks, AAA), and I'm afraid I'll get into an accident if this continues.

Stoney, Sal, Sandy, Blaze, anybody — help!

Something else to think about: When I had the distributor cap off, there was a brittle, broken piece of plastic loose, which I removed. I think it is part of the ignition control module. The wires appeared to be OK. Could that part be the cause of the problem?

 

[gdwriter]

Good news!

I replaced the ignition control module last night, and that appears to have fixed the problem. I drove the car about 20 miles last night on both the highway and in the city, and it never stalled or stumbled. Drove to work this morning, and it didn't stall in the spots where it usually does. What a relief! The car also feels peppier now with new fuel injectors and working ignition components.

Fortunately, it was only a $30 part and only took about 30 minutes to replace. I think the old ignition module was the original; it had a GM stamp on it.

My only concern at the moment is the plastic covering the connecting wires to the ignition module had become so brittle that it broke when I disconnected the old module. The wires appear to be OK but will having them exposed create problems?

 

[DFBonnett]

Good job. Nice to know you got a resolution. You remembered to put the dielectric grease under the new module?
Had the same thing with my wires. You'll probably will be OK as is. I changed mine just to be sure. Those two mini-harnesses are pricey.

 

[gdwriter]

You remembered to put the dielectric grease under the new module?

Umm...no. That step wasn't in my shop manual. But there was still some grease in the bracket where the module sits, and I didn't wipe that out.

Mr. Goodwrench I'm not.

 

[chevelle]

Are you talking about the two wires from the one end of the module that go to the pickup coil around the base of the distributor star wheel?? If so, you should get a new pickup coil and replace it as soon as possible. Per your original message I would have suspected the pickup coil anyway. At an advanced age/mileage the pickup coil can start to fail due to internal shorting or the insulation cracking on the wires causing fatigue of the wire at the spot the insulation is cracked. You may or may not have this problem but the pickup coil would be highly suspect if the insulation is cracked at all like you describe.Even though the HEI module swap seems to have fixed the problem you may have simply fixed it by moving the pickup coil wires around and (temporarily) "fixing" an open wire in the pickup coil by the movement. Personally, I wouldn't trust it unless the pickup coil is replaced.Replacing the pickup coil is not that diffult but you do have to pull the distributor and dissassemble it. The shaft of the distributor needs to be slid out so the new picku coil can be installed inside the housing. Only way to do it.

 

[DFBonnett]

Umm...no. That step wasn't in my shop manual. But there was still some grease in the bracket where the module sits, and I didn't wipe that out.

Mr. Goodwrench I'm not.

Neither am I. My heyday was in the era of big block Fords and tri-power setups. That being said, grease and instructions came with the module when I bought mine. NAPA sells it as dielectric grease in a small tube. Same stuff that comes with new plugs wires and dist caps. For the other homeowners, it is also good to regrease MOEN faucet cartridges when they get stiff.