I was driving my 99 Buick Century when it started to shake, shimmy, and then shut off. When going thru the engine I fixed &/or replaced the following items:


Spark Plug Wires, Ignition Control Module, Coil Packs (all three of them), Cam sensor, Timing Chain, Crank Sensor


The car will now start, but will only run for approx 30 seconds then shuts off and backfires thru the intake. Does the computer have to be reprogrammed/reset by the dealer or can I get a used one from the wrecking yard? Can anyone help me or do I blow it up (lol).smileys/smiley19.gif

No, the computer does not have to be re programmed.

Sounds like theres a possibility of a fuel problem.

There is a cam sensor magnet that may be missing or fallen off, this would give you a bad sense timing for the fuel injectors.

Another possibility is that the fuel pressure or fuel flow from the pump is bad and will not provide enough fuel to run. .

Good luck.