2005 LeSabre Headache
 

Hey guys. I hope someone has experienced the same symptoms in their LeSabre,(or any other 3800 vehicles), and can help me figure out a problem. My 2005 LeSabre has 150k on it but has had excellent care and looks new. Lately, it occasionally dies while driving and refuses to restart for a few minutes. This happens when I lift my foot off the accelerator when turning or braking. It is not overheated when this happens. As stated, it can go for several days without this happening, and then all of a sudden, it happens. Obviously, I lose power steering making any turns very difficult, plus with it dead in traffic, the public is not pleased. So, what have I tried? I cleaned the MAF and throttle body and replaced the crank position sensor. I had my ASE-certified mechanic test for fuel pump power and fuel pressure. Everything tests normal. My mechanic says that since there are no codes, I will need to bring it in when it happens. Good luck with that since if I could get it started and no codes were captured, the condition is gone til the next time it happens. The biggie is that it does not throw any codes. How fun! My neighbor, who owned a 1995 LeSabre had to sell their Buick because it did the very same thing. Hoping that someone has found the cure for this frustrating issue. Thank you.

There was one model year in the middle 1990s or so where the LeSabres would stop periodically, die while driving down the road. Usually would re-start. This was a MAF issue and the test was to "tap" the MAF with the engine running and see if the car died. New MAF. GM put out a TSB to only use GM MAFs as some of the aftermarket ones did not meet GM standards as to quality of the welds on the internal wiring solder joints. Perhaps that might be a test for yours, too?

On my 2005 Impala 3.4L, last time I got the oil changed at an oil company quick lube place, they somehow got the impression I wanted the air filter element changed. I didn't protest as it was time anyway. On the way home, every time I coasted to a corner, the engine died, but restarted. Set a code for loss of air flow to one cyl bank. What had happened was that they did not get the flex-pipe to the MAF on securely. I managed to get the pipe fully engaged to the MAF, retightened the clamp, and all has been well.

Late to the party but...
 

Check the crankshaft position sensor. Its the biggest issue ive had on the 3.8 with stalling.