dporretta

I have a '05 ION with 9000km on it. This has happened to me twice in two weeks. The first time came as a bit of a surprise. When put in park, the car just stopped running and the battery light came on. I started it up again with no problems and drove it all this week.

Well, yesterday it happened again, but this time I noticed that the RPMs, which usually dip at 500 and then level off at 750 when in park, hit 500 and just kept dropping to 0, and then my car shut off. The battery light also came on again. Again, the car started up with no problems.

Also, about 25% of the time when I do put it in park, the RPM briefly dip to 500 RPM for about a second or two. At that time, the car sort of hesitates and headlights dim but then the RPMs kick back up to 750 and lights strengthen again. This only happens on accasion. Usually it just levels out at 750 when parked or idle.

I'm puzzled as to why this is happening. It just so happens that both times I had just filled up my gas tank just before, but I doubt that'd be it, would it? I called the service dept at my local Saturn dealer and they've never heard of it, but I'm bringing it in to be checked in a few days.

Ssicarman

Welcome to the board.

I have never seen this kind of thing before.
When you are filling the car up are you topping the tank up right to the very top can't put a bit more of fuel in the tank because it is sloshing out the filler neck already?
If you remove the fuel cap and then put it back does the problem happen?
Is the SES light coming on, other than when it stalls of course?

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dporretta

Typically when filling up, I put a bit more fuel in the tank when the pump starts "clicking" just to round off the the nearest dollar. I try to avoid any from spilling out. But it's entirely possible that it gets to the filler neck.

Because this has only happened twice, I can't say for certain if this is directly attributed to it, but it has crossed my mind. The SES light has also never come on.

dporretta

Today I drove my '01 Alero, and like my Ion, the RPms dipped below 500, although it did not stall. This has never happened before with my Alero. But I think I now know what caused it. Both instances when my ION stalled, and this time when my Alero's RPM dropped below 500, I had my plug n' play satellite radio on. I've only had it for about a month, but it falls in the timeline that I've had this issue with my ION.

What I'm not sure of though, is if it's just due to the power being drawn to the receiver (can the receiver draw that much power?). Or if it's the FM transmitter from the receiver that may be interfering with a sensor? Kind of like how on an airplane, they tell you not to turn your radio on during take-off, as it affects the instruments in the cockpit? Far-fetched perhaps?

Ssicarman

Possible far fetched. Try driving for awhile minus the new equipment (if possible) and see what happens.

__________________
A lousy day in Paradise is still a day in Paradise.