Oldsmobile Ciera

1996 Oldsmobile Ciera Fuel System Stalling Happens sometimes When warm 

Hello, The engine will just cut off while driving about every 20 min. Pull the car over shift to park and will start right up and can resume driving.

The first thing you need to do is have the trouble codes read. Advance Auto and Autozone will read the codes at no charge. Let me know which alphanumeric codes they find- Ex, P0300, P0420, etc.

Hello, There is no check engine light lit. A mechanic checked for any stored codes ...none .

Next step would be a wiggle test. Have your mechanic wiggle various wiring along with the ignition switch.

Have you noticed if the check engine light/charge/dash lights come on when the engine stalls and you are coasting to a stop?

Good Morning,
What I have noticed is the engine is stalling while coasting .Giving it any kind of gas pedal does not help . When I come to a stop the engine comes to a complete turn off , lights on dash are then lit. Forgot to tell you when it was in the shop the gas filter was replaced and the mass air flow sensor was cleaned. After that the car ran well for a couple of days. Then the stalling started back.

If the engine is only stalling in an idle condition you need to clean the idle speed motor/passageway and throttle body blade (to rule this out the cause). Is this something you'd like to do yourself?

Hello, When the engine stalls it has been under a load as well as coasting.

Okay this moves us back to wiggle test. Have your mechanic wiggle wires, connectors, ig switch, and tap sensors (crank, maf, etc).

Hello,
I will do the wiggle test this weekend and e-mail monday. Question... why does it seem when I'am driving the car I can almost tell when it's going to stall every 20 min. of driving ?

ALSO, This started as a once every two weeks than once every week than to where Iam now . Seems to me something is wearing out

Yes, whatever is failing is getting worse. Never overlook battery cables/terminals/grounds etc when having an electrical problem. Use extreme caution around moving engine parts. Use a broom stick to tap things like the crank sensor (the idea is to keep your hands/arms a safe distance from belts/pulleys/etc).

Hello, Things I have done :
* Treated fuel, injector cleaner, alchol( poss. water)
* Unhooked battery , sprayed electronic cleaner/protector into a few key connections. TPS,Wire block on firewall drivers side,and a few others

Yesterday when leaving work stalled twice on parking lot but has not for two days stalled on the road. Is this a possible idle air control problem ?

Oh! Forgot to say on Sat. while performing the wiggle test the engine stalled twice while ideling. then when started to drive no problem. Seems to me when driving and letting off the gas the idle my drop to low occasionally. 99% of the time it idles smooth as glass.

Did it stall randomly during the wiggle test, meaning the wiggle test was not creating the stall?

On the idle speed/air control- if the stall occurs above idle speed-- when enough air is passing the throttle blade-- air passing by the idle speed controller is not required for the engine to run. Just the same, have you removed and cleaned the idle speed controller and its passageway. Also use throttle body cleaner and a brush to clean the throttle blade (both sides of it as best you can) and bore.

Hello,
The wiggle test did not cause the stalling. The second garage I had the car in claimed they cleaned the throttle valve. I will myself take that off and clean and make sure the passages are cleaned out

Hello, The wiggle test proved no loose connections. Went ahead and replaced the fuel pump. That seemed to solve the problem , NO STALLS for about a week....yea!!!

What brand of replacement pump did you use?

bosh

Okay, avoid driving on "E" if possible. Aftermarket fuel pumps tend to fail prematurely if driven when very low on fuel, not all of them but some.

1995 Oldsmobile Ciera Fuel System Won't Start When starting When cold

When the car has set for a couple of hours or overnight and is cold, it is very hard to start. Once it has started, it runs extremely well, and will even start nicely when warm. We have done all the maintenance regularly, including the fuel filter, throttle body cleaned, and fuel line filter changed. The battery has water. The fuses all look good. Someone said a fuel check valve would potentially be allowing the line to "bleed" back and so there isn't any fuel in the line to start (sounds Greek to me, which I don't speak at all). How would I check this and could we change the valve or fix the problem ourselves. (My book doesn't show the valve.) It is still a great car -- even with 162,000 miles -- but unfortunately it is our only car and don't want to afford another. Please, please help if you can, and I would truly and amazingly appreciate it. Thank you in advance. Suzanne Czirr (270) 753-2501

Hello, To get on track I need to know what engine your car has, please? Do you have lights, or gages, on the instruement panel?

The computer monitors the coolant temperature via a sensor screwed into the engine. If this sensor doesn't tell the computer the correct (COLD) engine temperature, insufficient fuel is supplied for a cold start.

As far as fuel pressure bleeding down while the car sets (possible); if you turn the key "ON" but do not start the engine, the fuel pump should run for 1-2 seconds to pressure-up the fuel supply line and injector rail. Then try to start it.

More to come and we'll narrow things down when I know which engine you have.

Roger

Thank you so much for your reply. It is a V6 and there aren't any caution lights on the instrument panel lit up. Again, thank you. Suzanne

Hello, OK, 3.1 Litre V6 Engine.

The "Hard Start" Diagnostic Chart calls for several tests with a digital volt/ohm meter and a pressure gage for the fuel rail checks. Do you have access to these tools so we can get you busy, or is this task going to be more than you care to attempt?

Please advise,

Roger

Waiting to hear from you, what is the status please?

Roger

Been a long time here, still need help?

Roger

Dear Roger: Sorry that it has taken me so long to respond. In trying to find the reason for the car not wanting to cold start, we replaced several items (e.g., alternator, belt, tightener, PCV, thermostat thingy -- a technical term, etc.). Our last hope was the fuel pump was bleeding down, which we purchased to have put in. As it turns out, it was a relay switch, and the mechanic tested it before we had the pump and filter put in.

Anyway, the bottom line is that it starts perfectly now. So I truly appreciate the consideration and attention you gave to my problem. And in the future, I will recommend your site to friends who need it. Thank you. Suzanne

Thank you for the reply. I am happy for you that your car is fixed.

Please consider closing out this question and I'll move on.

Respectfully,

Roger

1995 Oldsmobile Ciera Heating / Cooling System Malfunction Happens sometimes No pattern

The blower does not come on. Then sometimes if the blower switch is left on the the blower will come on. Lately it has not come on at all in the last month. This all started after I replaced the alternator.Could you please help me. Thanks

Hi,
A comon problem is a bad blower motor. It will create this same symptoms. Try rapping on the blower motor with the switch on and see if the motor starts. Or check for power and ground at the blower when the problem is occurring. If you have the power and the ground and the blower does not spin, then time for a new blower!
have fun,
Dale

1994 Oldsmobile Ciera All Part Groups   

When I crank the car cold it misses for just a minute and then clears up. If the ac is on before I crank it and the engines cold it misses much worse than if the ac is not on when I first crank it. Now it's taking longer to clear up and will hestate with a jerk (intermitantly) while going down the road at times if I start driving it before it clears up. The miss is slowly becoming constant and is not going to clear up before long.

you will want to check your spark plugs and wires if you have not had a tune up in a while
it is probably time for one
The AC puts a lot more load on your engine so tyhat is why it will be worse
I hope this helps

1992 Oldsmobile Ciera Engine Stalling When driving No pattern

V6, 3.3, Stalls while driving or at stoplight. Restarts in very few minutes. New Plugs and Wires, New ECM, cleaned Injectors and Tuneup. Engine Idles and runs exceptionally well, but still stalls after replacing above parts. Olds dealer did Diagnostics, everything ok, except found faulty Crank Position Sensor. Will this actually solve the stalling? Olds belongs to Granddaugher with two small children, stalling causes traffic and other problems, Thanks Charlie

A faulty crank position sensor will cause problems such as you have described. This is because they are magnetic in nature and with age the field gets weaker. Also as they get hot the field gets weaker. The Crank sensor is very easy to change and should only require a 10 mm socket. Sometimes they are hard to find thou. Also sometimes misdiagnosed is the cam sensor. I would start with the crank sensor and go from there. Let me know if i can be more help. AL

AL, thanks for the quick reply and offer of more help and understand your answer. Olds Dealer charged $214 to diagnose and change crank sensor. than the cam sensor you mentioned, as often overlooked, any other possible causes for the stalling, that could occur in the future? Thanks Charlie.

Crazy as this sounds a plugged fuel filter is soooo often overlooked it embarasses me. Make sure your daughter changes the anti freeze annually... the freeze protection does not deteriorate,but the abiltiy to protect from corrosion does. Do not let her drive the car if the engine starts to overheat... very difficult and expensive to pull the engine or replace the heads.. and they will blow. than that.. a good car that should need only minimal maintenace. Al

PS that is not a bad price from the dealership.. cost of the sensor is about 135.00. Good luck and please use our service again in the future. Al

1991 Oldsmobile Ciera All Part Groups   

Trunk Lid will not open. Key will turn in lock. Is there a release in the interior? I was able to take out back seat and access that way. Cannot do that every time. thanks

Correction: key will not turn lock

No power lock button in glovebox? If not....Could be lock frozen or just broken.Lock can be taken out easily and replaced.If the key does not turn, it is the lock.If it turns but not open it is probably that small shaft behind lock.To remove lock there is a flat plate attached with one rivet.Remove rivet (drill or chisel) slide plate down (its tight) and lock can come out.Find another (autowrecker or locksmith)lock.Temporarily can open trunk with flatblade screwdriver but not secure methood.

1989 Oldsmobile Ciera Drive Train / Driveline Stalling  

If I try to accelerate the gas even slightly the car immediately dies.It acts just like an older carburated car with a blown out accelerator pump. It only does this when in neutral or park.If the car is placed in drive or reverse it accelerates perfectly? Sounds crazy but that's what it does. Also, whenever the ignition is on the radiator fan is on at all times. I got a code 15 and replaced the temp sensor but there was no change. One shop said he got a readout that said the engine was running at minus 30 degrees. I don't know what equipment or analyzer he used to get the reading.HELP Dennis

First of all, which engine do you have?

You replaced the temp sensor, was this the coolant temp sensor? Does the same code come back?

Getting the right coolant temp to the computer should solve your problem. Oh, and roughly how cold was it when the scanner read -30?

1989 Oldsmobile Ciera Ignition System   

Suddenly my car won't start. It turns over, but it won't fire. Fuel pump pressures up. Spark plugs are wet, but the wires aren't getting any spark. The ignition module has been replaced before. Fuses all look good. Engine reads no codes. It's a 2.8 V6 with distributer-less ignition.

The CPS (crankshaft position sensor) is a common failure on these engines. It is located near the bottom of the engine block-firewall side. You can follow the wires from the ignition module to crank sensor. This assumes you have no spark from any of the coils. BTW- most chain autoparts stores will check the ignition module off the car (this would be a good idea if yours is still under warranty).

Let me know if you need further instructions.

1989 Oldsmobile Ciera Engine   

I have a 3.3 Cutlass which I took off the road to replace the steering column (the ignition apparatus was damaged when it was stolen). It ran fine before I replaced the column, but now if I can start it, sometimes it will run well for a few minutes, then it starts to miss fire. At a higher 4-5k rpm it seems to be ok, but idling sounds like some cylinders are firing on the wrong stroke. As I said, at times it will run very well for a few minutes before missing. At others, it will miss while I am turning it over and fail entirely. I checked for OBD codes and nothing comes up. Any ideas?

Two things come to mind.
1) The Crankshaft Position Sensor
sometimes fails but does not always
set acode.
2) The problem started with column change.
That era of GM's hada problem with ignition
switches (located 1/2 way down column at top) so if you have the origonal damaged column, try swapping that in.

I disassembled and cleaned the switch ... and did try the switch from the old column. Where is the Crankshaft Position Sensor located?

Last time I changed one, it was at the rear *firewall* side of the block, in the center, just above the pan rail.Two wires,and attached with an 8mm or 5/16: head bolt. The sensor is roughly the size of your finger, mostly in the block.

1988 Oldsmobile Ciera Electrical / Lighting Systems Overheating Happens always Always

The cooling fan motor as burtout twice in one year. The fuse link to the cooling fan circuit as opened, this time. I would like to know where all relays, sending units and any other electric parts are located for the cooling fan circuit. The motor is a 2.5 I4 Any help and ideas will be thankfully recieved Carl

Carl,
If the motor burnt out so quickly, there are several options. #1 Defective, or inferior replacement motor. #2 Controls keeping fan on full time, such as being hot wired. #3 Water, oil, or acid falling on the motor or wiring.

If you have burnt the fusible link, you either have a short in the fan wire, or a short inside the fan motor.

The relay is turned on by the computer. The computer uses the coolant temperature sensor by the themostat to know when to turn it on.

The relay is an oval shape, with 4 wires, Red, black/red, brown/white, yellow. It should be located on the front of the drivers side strut tower.

Dale

1987 Oldsmobile Ciera Electrical / Lighting Systems   

Can You please tell me the location of the turn signal flasher?I haven't been able to find it. Thanks in advance.

Hi;
FRONT SEATING AREA, DRIVER SIDE, UNDER DASH, MOUNTED ON UPPER PASSENGER SIDE OF STEERING COLUMN SUPPORT
Good Luck Les.

1986 Oldsmobile Ciera Electrical / Lighting Systems  When repairing 

Replaced alternator and need to put on new belt. What is access route to inside pulley?

Hello,What engine please? Are you asking how to route the belt, or how to deal with thr tensioner?

Thanks,

Roger

Dear Roger,

My sister started this but this is the real scoop.

1984 Olds Ciera, 1.8 L, 4 cyl. There is one hold- down for the alternator, there are 3 hold-downs for the air cond. pump. However, I need to take off the power steering pump belt and have found one hold down but can't get it to move. Is there another hold down for the power steering pump and how do I get to it?

thank you - John Pro

Hello John, Will you double check the engine size please? I'm not finding a 1.8L in the data base.

Thanks,

Roger

2.5 liter - sorry 1984 Ciera

All right, 1984 2.5L. This engine uses a serpentine belt with a tensioner. If you want to remove the power steering pump the top bolt head must be accessed through one of the holes in the belt pulley. Line up one of the holes with the bolt and sick your socket right through the pulley and back out the bolt through the hole.

Did I understand you want to replace the serpentine belt after having replaced the alternator? Are you familiar with the belt tensioner and how it works? If the alternator is mounted you should not have to remove anything else to install a new belt.

Please advise,

Roger

Thanks but this car has 3 separate belts, no serpentine. What was your reference?

I finally resorted to the block-of-wood and hammer approach - success. Belts are back on and we are running. John

My reference is Chilton Auto Repair Data Base for the 1984 Olds Cutlass Ciera 2.5L four cylinder.

I'll go back and recheck my path.

Roger

OK, I rechecked my steps and found that you must have an early model. I have downloaded an exploded view of the pump's mounting.

May I email or fax this to you? Where to?

Thanks,

Roger

Yes - pls e-mail to [redacted] . Thanks for following up, Roger. John

I'll get it done right now. Subject will be 1984 Ciera.

Thanks,

Roger

Email is on the way.

Roger

1984 Oldsmobile Ciera All Part Groups  When driving 

Speedometer cable with cruise control I need a new part to my Oldsmobile Ciera 1984

Hello, You have accessed the site where mechanics guide you in the diagnosis and repair of automobiles. We do not have parts availability archives.

You do not have to front a monetary fee to request the availability of parts. Your money should be refunded.

You should write to All-Parts.com, Site Administrator and request that your question on this car be withdrawn and transferred to the parts area that All-Parts.com features.

If for some reason I have made a wrong conclusion and you do indeed want repair instructions please advise.

Thanks,

Roger

Hello, Did you receive my last message? Please advise.

Roger