My car cranks and runs for 2 seconds, then shuts itself back off. What might be the problem?

Did you buy an oem mass air flow sensor or a cheap one on line? I have got bad ones before.

I got a new one from O'Reillys, with lifetime warranty, took it back and got another just like it. Not the rebuilt

Oh ok that's good. Will it stay running if you feather the gas pedal?

No effect

im having same problem with my 92 cadillac i pull up code and it says mass air flow sensor shorted so im thinking thats whats wrong with your car shorted in the sensor wires

fuel pump?

I've got a 1998 Buick Regal and it's doing the same thing,but before that it was running fine,I was at Advance Auto parts for some Exaust putty and when I got back in the car it started rite up as usual the Leaving the parking lot it started puut put put went about a quarter of a mile and Stalled,I tried starting it again all I got was Cranking but not turning over,put New Plugs New Wire's New fuel filter New coolent Temperature sensor, when I took the radiator hose off there was no antifreeze coming out of it,I've changed them hoses before, there's always been antifreeze in them so I'm confused why there wasn't any.but I also Cleaned My Trottle body and that's when It started turning over but only for about 3 seconds,then it cranks but doesn't turn over then when it sits for about an hour and I try it,it turns over for about 3 Second's.SMH IM LOST.

no reai answer . last time wAS THE CRANK SENSOR. HOPE THAT HELPS,

I replaced the starter still want crank only stays on for a couple seconds then shuts off could it be my crankshaft sensor ? Plz help

I'll crank your sensor lol

its its something to do with the anti theft system... unfortunately thats why im here, im looking for a quick fix

I just bought a 2005 le sabre. It was no crank condition, previous previous owner repla ed pcm.. got it home and replaced some relays checked all fuses , turn key still no crank. Jumped relay for starter and it cranked it started and ran for 3 seconds then died . Called it a day and closed shop. Resuming work on car today. Will pass on to you any thing And everything i discover.

Anything from anybody?

Did you ever find the cause. I couldn't figure mine out. But to check the security, monitor fuel pressure as it runs. If fuel pressure goes out as the car dies, security. If it starts but runs bad before it dies, probably clogged catalytic converter.. if it dies but wont startagain for ten minutes, converter

Never found a solid solution to my initial problem. After about a year of fighting it, i started parting it out. Then sell the rest for scrap. If you do scrap it make sure you have the title or scrapyards wont take it.

That's crazy that the original post stated it all started with a bad alternator. I replaced my alternator and drove about 25 to 30 miles to work and it did the exact same thing. If I had known it was going to cause me this much grief, I would have junked the vehicle. It has to be something simple. I did replaced the MAF sensor from the Junk yard and again it starts up and them dies. The fact that it is starting up and dying means the pump is fine. Any up dates to this would be appreciated. I am going to look at the wires going to the PCM to see. If they might have been bitten through.

Solved: I am GuruRG76B the above post. Okay, my update. I replaced my alternator and the problem stated there. I also replaced the battery. The code came up Mass Air Flow Sensor. When I replaced the alternator and battery the car would run about 30 miles and then die. I replaced the MAF sensor and it still didn't start. I called my Mechanic and he was very helpful - he stated I needed to clear the code after I replaced the sensor and if I still had problems - bring it in. So I cleared the code and when I did the car started. I drove the car about ten miles and filled it up with gas (keeping the car computer with me). Drove the next day to work about 30 miles and it died. Since I had the code reader - cleared the code and it started. Went to work and repeatedly cleared the code 4 to 5 times all the way home. Took the car to my mechanic - could figure it out. Decided to take the car to My Auto Electrician - he does extensive scans on the electrical system. Come to find out it was the MAP Sensor. The Mass Airflow Sensor fires off because when the cars dies air stop flowing through the sensor. Therefore setting of a code in computer reading Failure (DUMB Design). But when you clear the code - it will start. Now here is the killer part - the MAP sensor will not show failure if it has enough power readings coming through it. Hard to explain. The only way it will show failure if it is practically dead (which it wasn't) but he was able to show enough inconsistent drop in the sensor (through his software) that he could Identify the issue. Replaced the sensor and I have been rolling every since. (Dumb Me) it seems I damage the (MAP) sensor when I installed the alternator - how - I inadvertently place the alternator on top of the sensor when I was replacing the alternator. Since the damage didn't completely kill the sensor, it ran about 30 miles and then kill the car. Crazy - but now I am rolling. Hope this helps - I felt it was something simple - The Battery - Alternator - sensor -diagnosis all cost me about $500. But I am now rolling in my 2001 Buick Lesabre with 272k miles with out a new note. With the new MAP sensor - my gas mileage is now at 25.5 MPG. I hope this helps. Regards Dan Williams from Detroit.

Maybe the wrong alternator. The same thing happened with my 98 Buick Riviera. The 3800 engine has been used in a dozen models of cars, but they do NOT all have the battery under the rear seat. Because the battery is INSIDE the vehicle, it requires a very specific alternator. Make sure you're replacing it with the EXACT AC Delco original part, or you will experience all these issues.