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1996 Chevrolet Corsica Engine stalls when cold

Tiny
RAILROADERTWO
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 CHEVROLET CORSICA
  • 3.1L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
The engine loses power, stalls when cold, but after the engine warms up a little, it will run OK, we have changed both oxygen sensors, I am not sure about the coolant temp sensor. Thank You
Sunday, October 12th, 2014 AT 2:40 PM

17 Replies

Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
  • 109,645 POSTS
Since it runs okay when warm, the coolant temp sensor would be my first guess. It tells the computer how rich or lean to make the fuel mixture based on temp.

Has the check engine light come on? Have you checked for vacuum leaks?
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Sunday, October 12th, 2014 AT 7:51 PM
Tiny
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That was my guess, just wanted a second opinion. I don't think it is a vacuum leak, it idles and runs great when it warms up a bit. Thank You
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Sunday, October 12th, 2014 AT 8:12 PM
Tiny
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Let me know what you find. If you have a live scanner, you can check to see what temp the sensor is telling the computer. It could save some time and money.
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Sunday, October 12th, 2014 AT 8:31 PM
Tiny
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Well, I have a Innova 3110 scanner, not sure about the live data issue, I have only used it to check fault codes.
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Sunday, October 12th, 2014 AT 8:55 PM
Tiny
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I'm not familiar with that scanner. Is live data listed anywhere when you plug it in? Anything that says monitoring or similar?
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Monday, October 13th, 2014 AT 4:48 PM
Tiny
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After looking at the manual, I don't think mine does live data, it will show data when a code is set, however I am going to look into getting one that will. I'll just get a new Coolant Temp Sensor, $20.00, it will either fix it, or it won't. Thank You for your input.
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Monday, October 13th, 2014 AT 8:59 PM
Tiny
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Let me know how things work out for you.
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Tuesday, October 14th, 2014 AT 4:24 PM
Tiny
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Well, the lower manifold was leaking antifreeze, so I replaced the gaskets. There is no evidence of any leaking on the outside or inside the engine at this time, however the problem is still there.
Repair log:
Replaced lower and upper Manifold Gaskets. No evidence of
Replaced Plug Wires
Replaced Plugs
Replaced Coolant Temp Sensor
Checked for Vacuum Leaks (Currently Showing 15hg at idle. I don't know what the norm should be)
Replaced PVC Valve Tube Assembly
Replaced Fuel Filter
Replaced Fuel Pressure Regulator
Replaced Both Oxygen Sensors
2 Out of 3 Coils Replaced (did swap coils around, no change)
Replaced injector Filters and O-Rings
5-15 Replaced IAC Sensor
6-2-15 Replaced Fuel Pump
Things I have not done
Have not checked EGR Valve (no codes) Have ordered new one)
Have not checked MAF Sensor (no codes)
Have not checked MAP sensor (no codes) Have ordered new one.
I have no clue.
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Monday, June 22nd, 2015 AT 5:05 PM
Tiny
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Have you checked how the coolant temp sensor is reacting with a live scanner?
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Thursday, June 25th, 2015 AT 1:22 PM
Tiny
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Well, I now have a live scanner, but I don't think it will run long enough to gain much info from it, It could still be the coolant temp sensor, even though it is not yet a year old, and I am not going to rule out the lower manifold is not leaking again, but there is no evidence of it. I have ordered a smoke test machine to try and see if there are any vacuum leaks. The strange thing is there are no engine codes being set. Thanks
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Thursday, June 25th, 2015 AT 4:26 PM
Tiny
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EGR Valve and Map sensor did not help.
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Thursday, June 25th, 2015 AT 4:27 PM
Tiny
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About a month ago, I had an issue with a chevy van. It ran really bad cold. I found that the CTS was telling the computer the outside temp was -40. As a result, it was dumping fuel. You can check it with the scanner just to see what the CTS is telling the computer even with the engine off. Also, keep this in mind. Since the sensor was sending a signal to the computer, even though it was the wrong signal, the computer accepted that as correct and didn't set a code. It's just a thought.
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Saturday, June 27th, 2015 AT 9:43 PM
Tiny
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After a more thorough inspection, there appears to be oil leaking from the lower intake valley, on both ends of the engine, which to me to indicate the gasket sealer I put on each end between the gaskets has failed, I can then assume it is leaking vacuum.
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Saturday, June 27th, 2015 AT 9:50 PM
Tiny
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That's very possible. Let me know what you determine.
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Saturday, June 27th, 2015 AT 10:07 PM
Tiny
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Well, for what it's worth, it was a defective upstream oxygen sensor, that I had replaced less than a year ago.
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Friday, July 17th, 2015 AT 6:21 PM
Tiny
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Update: it was the upstream oxygen sensor I had replaced less than a year ago. I would suggest spending the money on a good quality sensor.
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Friday, July 17th, 2015 AT 6:26 PM
Tiny
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Glad you found it. Usually, emissions components come with a really long warranty. Was yours under warranty?
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Friday, July 17th, 2015 AT 8:18 PM

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