1996 Buick Park Avenue Stalls when idling.

Tiny
SHINTAO
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 BUICK PARK AVENUE
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 183,000 MILES
My 1996 Buick Park Ave with 183k miles is having an issue where, when idling it stutters for about 5 seconds then dies. It is fine if the gas pedal is pressed, even a little, but as soon as you let off the gas, stutters and shakes, then dies. Starts back up fine, but you have 5 seconds to get your foot back on the gas or it dies. When the hood is open and it is running, a sound like air being sucked through a small hole can be heard. I cannot see any obvious holes or gashes in any of the hoses, but that doesn't necessarily mean there is not one. It was running fine, no issues, then when at a red light the check engine light came on and it started stuttering. As your stereotypical broke college student I can't really afford to have it towed to a shop unless there is no other choice, so I don't know what code the check engine is triggering. All fluids are at their proper levels. About 2 months ago I had new spark plugs and wires installed. I am not a car "professional" in any way, but I am not completely clueless. I have access to basic tools, wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers and the like, but no pressure gauges or code readers or anything fancy like that. Any help at all would be appreciated and I completely understand if it is one of those things that you just gotta take it into the shop.
Thanks in advance!
~Erik
Wednesday, May 14th, 2014 AT 9:33 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Check for vacuum leaks and check the idle air control valve. If the check engine light is on, have the computer scanned to determine what trouble codes are stored in the system. That may point you in the direction of the problem. Most parts stores will scan it for free.
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Wednesday, May 14th, 2014 AT 9:35 AM
Tiny
SHINTAO
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks for the fast response! Based on your suggestion, I looked up some info about the vacuum system and re-checked the various hoses and whatnot. Sure enough, one of the T junctions for the smaller hoses had a crack in it and one of the hoses had worked itself entirely out. I reseated the hose in the junction, and now she idles fine. The junction still has a crack, but now I can actually get up to a part store and get it swapped out!
Thanks again, saved my bacon for sure!
Erik.
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Wednesday, May 14th, 2014 AT 10:27 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Glad to help.

Joe
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Wednesday, May 14th, 2014 AT 10:44 AM

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