I have an '01 Grand am SE and after driving it to the store last night, it won't start and it is sitting in the Safeway parking lot.

For a few days now it would sometimes lose all power when I turned it off, but usually it would start up again when I put the key in the ignition, but the clock would be reset. Last night it failed to start up again. When I insert the key I can get a "Service Engine Soon" light and thats it. No power to lights, doorlocks, stereo, nothing.

It has about 110,000 miles now, and I heard a rumor that is when some important computer chip starts going out and I think this might be the problem.

Could anybody potentially confirm this, or suggest other possible problems? I hate paying mechanics an arm and a leg, and am hoping it is something I might be able to replace myself, but I don't even know where to start.

Any help be would be VERY appreciated!!!