1989 Buick Century intermittent engine stalling or stumblin

Tiny
CARDAD57
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 BUICK CENTURY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
Hello: I have just made a donation. I have an '89 Buick Century 3.3L. Just recently we started encountering either stalling or a bad "stumbling" condition. When problem began, I changed fuel filter and used bottle of isopropyl water remover. No help. This is entirely random / intermittent. Does not seem affected by humidity or ambient temperature. Can happen idling in the driveway or out on the road. For example, yesterday I took it out for 3/4 hour, including going down a very bumpy road, thinking I'd jar any loose wires, cracked vacuum hose, flukey sensor, etc. Problem did not occur even once. After dinner, took out again. Within 10-15 minutes, it acted up. Would either stall while driving, or start to stumble badly. If it stalled, I'd try to start immediately but would not stay running. Had to wait 1-2 minutes to start again. If it stumbled but did not stall, I would shift into neutral and coast to the side of the road, and the engine would race for 10-15 seconds before dropping back to idle. Each time it stalled or stumbled, the check engine light would come on. It did not stay on. I jumped across the A and B terminals in the ALDL port and only get code 12.
Monday, June 22nd, 2009 AT 11:35 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
If it stalled, I'd try to start immediately but would not stay running. Had to wait 1-2 minutes to start again.

Don't wait check the fuel pressure and comeback with the readings asap
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Monday, June 22nd, 2009 AT 12:07 PM
Tiny
CARDAD57
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  • 2 POSTS
Hi Raz:

Don't have a pressure gage. Could purchase one, but I'm curious why you suggest checking fuel pressure ( do you suspect a bad pump or regulator?). As mentioned, depending on the phase of the moon, the car can run / drive just fine for periods of time. Then problem reoccurs out of the blue.
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Monday, June 22nd, 2009 AT 12:20 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
You can rent one out from a tool rental place-Fuel pump might be getting tired when it reaches a certain temperature then goes whack-

You can try cleaning/testing out the idle air control valve, mass airflow sensor, throttle position sensor, Manifold absolute pressure sensor to include the PCV and EGR valves-check these items and comeback with some results
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Monday, June 22nd, 2009 AT 5:00 PM

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