[NStarkes]

Hi, I have a 1992 Pontiac Grand Am. Recently, to make a long story short, I had to drive through a flood (large puddle of water) and the car was submerged in water (the water came up to the door inside the car) and had to be pushed out to higher ground. I was able to start it after 2 days after leaving it on the side of the road. Since then the check engine light has come on and it cuts off while I am driving more that 20 minutes. It seems to do it more if the car is hot. I have replaced the spark plugs and spark plug wires but to no avail. After I've been driving for a while the gages on the RPM goes haywire before it cuts off. I stop at a red light, it cuts off, a five minute trip to the store it cuts off but always starts up again, it cuts off when I've been driving for a while (hot), cuts off at stop signs or when turning. It has become dangerous because I don't know when it will cut off when I'm driving. HELP!! I can't afford to buy another car. I have a 45 minute commute to work.

[ScottGem]

You need to take it to a mechanic and have the Trouble Code read. The Check Engine light comes on when a part generates a trouble code. That code will tell you what's wrong with the car and what to fix.

[TxGreaseMonkey]

The biggest cause of ECMs (computers) being damaged is from flooding. The second leading cause is from water damage in the summer, when windows are left down, and it rains. See if you think your ECM could be experiencing water-related damage. If so, do extensive price comparison shoping, and replace it. O'Reilly Auto Parts sells remanufactured ECMs, with a lifetime warranty. Check out what works best for you. They are not difficult to replace.

The ECM is a giant circuit board inside, with capacitors, resistors, and microprocessors. It's easy to see how water damage could short out and damage this critical item. On OBD-I systems (before 1996), such as yours, ECMs can throw codes and tell you when some other component is failing, but they do not have to throw a code and tell you they are failing. If your Check Engine Light comes on and stays on, and no codes are thrown, it's a real danger signal the ECM may be bad. A smart diagnostician can test the voltage the ECM is providing key sensors and tell if it is likely the culprit. ECMs are "power transistors," whose prime job is to provide the proper voltages to a host of sensors, under constantly varying conditions. Hopefully, this will give up a slightly better understading of their role and how they can be tested; however, many mechanics might not have this expertise. Therefore, it might be somewhat of a "gut" call by you.

[NStarkes]

Quote-thank you for your response. It is worth looking into at this point, anything is possible. This problem did'nt start until it got wet in the flash flood. I will let you know if you are on point. Thanks

You need to take it to a mechanic and have the Trouble Code read. The Check Engine light comes on when a part generates a trouble code. That code will tell you what's wrong with the car and what to fix.

The code came back "timing"?

The biggest cause of ECMs (computers) being damaged is from flooding. The second leading cause is from water damage in the summer, when windows are left down, and it rains. See if you think your ECM could be experiencing water-related damage. If so, do extensive price comparison shoping, and replace it. O'Reilly Auto Parts sells remanufactured ECMs, with a lifetime warranty. Check out what works best for you. They are not difficult to replace.

The ECM is a giant circuit board inside, with capacitors, resistors, and microprocessors. It's easy to see how water damage could short out and damage this critical item. On OBD-I systems (before 1996), such as yours, ECMs can throw codes and tell you when some other component is failing, but they do not have to throw a code and tell you they are failing. If your Check Engine Light comes on and stays on, and no codes are thrown, it's a real danger signal the ECM may be bad. A smart diagnostician can test the voltage the ECM is providing key sensors and tell if it is likely the culprit. ECMs are "power transistors," whose prime job is to provide the proper voltages to a host of sensors, under constantly varying conditions. Hopefully, this will give up a slightly better understading of their role and how they can be tested; however, many mechanics might not have this expertise. Therefore, it might be somewhat of a "gut" call by you.

This is interesting and worth a shot. Thanks

[TxGreaseMonkey]

Please let me know what eventually solves your problem.

[NStarkes]

Please let me know what eventually solves your problem.

I will do that.