# 2004 Grand Prix won't stay running **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [June 18, 2014, 12:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-grand-prix-wont-stay-running/85499 "2014-06-18T00:41:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![t1m8omatas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@t1m8omatas](https://community.cartalk.com/u/t1m8omatas)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 12:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-grand-prix-wont-stay-running/85499/1 "2014-06-18T00:41:12Z")
The engine cranks and turns over when I turn the key, but won’t stay running unless I give it some gas. My mechanic doesn’t know what’s wrong with it, but I haven’t starting having him replace parts until I have a better idea of what’s going wrong. Could it be the fuel filter? fuel pump? ---
**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 1:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-grand-prix-wont-stay-running/85499/2 "2014-06-18T01:18:31Z")
If you can rev it normally, it sounds like the idle air control valve needs to be cleaned or replaced. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 1:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-grand-prix-wont-stay-running/85499/3 "2014-06-18T01:54:24Z")
Your vehicle doesn’t have an Idle Air Control valve. The idle is controlled by the drive-by-wire throttle body. [http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=3763986&cc=1429703](http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=3763986&cc=1429703) When the ignition is turned on, the motor on the throttle body slightly opens the throttle plate. This allows idle air into the engine. If the motor fails to open the throttle plate the engine won’t idle. When you step on the accelerator, the accelerator pedal position sensor commands the computer to open the throttle plate and the engine runs. You can check for this by removing the intake hose from the throttle body, turn the ignition on and see if the throttle plate slightly opens. Tester ---
**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 8:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-grand-prix-wont-stay-running/85499/4 "2014-06-18T08:23:57Z")
This brings up a good point. I didn’t look around enough and relied on one source: [http://www.nextdayauto.com/2004-pontiac-grand-prix-fuel-injection-idle-air-control-valve-delphi-w0133-1683286.html](http://www.nextdayauto.com/2004-pontiac-grand-prix-fuel-injection-idle-air-control-valve-delphi-w0133-1683286.html) I have to agree that [RockAuto.com](http://RockAuto.com) is probably the best source for this information. It, of course, had no listing for this IAC valve on this model. ---
**Author:** ![asemaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@asemaster](https://community.cartalk.com/u/asemaster)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 8:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-grand-prix-wont-stay-running/85499/5 "2014-06-18T08:45:47Z")
Why are you coming up with a diagnostic strategy for the car? That’s the mechanic’s job. What testing has he done to try to determine the cause? I’m guessing a competent mechanic with a decent bi-directional scan tool can diagnose this from the driver’s seat without even opening the hood. There are too many options as to what’s wrong for us to get you headed in the right direction without more information. ---
**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 9:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-grand-prix-wont-stay-running/85499/6 "2014-06-18T09:25:19Z")
“Why are you coming up with a diagnostic strategy for the car? That’s the mechanic’s job.” So you feel that _every_ answer to repair queries on this site should be: “Take it to a mechanic.”? (Actually, that’s technically not a bad idea, but it would make for pretty boring reading.) ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 9:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-grand-prix-wont-stay-running/85499/7 "2014-06-18T09:39:30Z")
“Why are you coming up with a diagnostic strategy for the car? That’s the mechanic’s job.” I agree I don’t really appreciate it when I’m trying to diagnose something, and the customer has his own ideas about diagnostic strategy That’s my job If the customer is so smart, he should go to school, buy a tool box, tools, a scan tool, etc. and have at it When I go to see my doctor, I tell him my symptoms. He figures out what’s wrong with me. Why should it be the other way around? Lately, it seems that every car owner that’s ever changed his oil, rotated his tires or did a pad slap thinks he can diagnose and repair cars just as well or better than the pros who do it day in and day out. This is a free country, last time I looked They’re free to think that way, and talk smack if they want to But that doesn’t mean they’re correct ---
**Author:** ![asemaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@asemaster](https://community.cartalk.com/u/asemaster)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 9:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-grand-prix-wont-stay-running/85499/8 "2014-06-18T09:53:30Z")
**“So you feel that every answer to repair queries on this site should be: “Take it to a mechanic.”?”** No. In this case the car is already at the mechanic and he’s simply not doing the job, as least according to what the original poster is saying. Either that or the OP is not letting him do the job as he sees fit. @t1m8omatas, please give us a little more info, like what your mechanic said the problem might be, and then we can help you get in the right direction. ---
**Author:** ![Stoveguyy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Stoveguyy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Stoveguyy)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2014, 5:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-grand-prix-wont-stay-running/85499/9 "2014-06-18T17:19:51Z")
Check fuel pressure. ---
**Author:** ![jesmed1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jesmed1/32/2097_2.png) [@jesmed1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jesmed1)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2014, 9:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-grand-prix-wont-stay-running/85499/10 "2014-06-19T21:37:31Z")
Stalling is a known issue with the Grand Prix 3.8L V6, due either to a bad mass airflow sensor (MAF) or bad crankshaft position sensor (CKP). > **[Stalling Due to Mass Air Flow or Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure : Pontiac...](https://repairpal.com/stalling-due-to-mass-air-flow-or-crankshaft-position-sensor-failure-733)** > > Pontiac Grand Prix GTP Stalling Due to Mass Air Flow or Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure - 45 reports. Learn about this problem, why it occurs, and how to fix it.