1992 Buick Century

1992 BUICK CENTURY

245,000 MILES • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC

GREG ANDERSON

MEMBER
1 POST

My car has been starting hard in cold and warm weather for a little while. Now it seems that it just doesn't want to start at all. But when it does start it stays at high idle and runs hot. I've had to a shop and they changed the mass airflow and cleaned some other sensor but it only worked decent for one day and the engine light is still on. when it does start it will run at 50-60 mph or 80kmh without touching the gas pedal. what might it be?

Jun 17, 2008 at 9:20 AM

JDL

✓ASE Certified Mechanic
16,098 POSTS

Can you check for codes, what are they? OBD1, you can use the CEL, to check for codes. 12 pin data link connector, top row, 2 pins A&B, far right hand side. Use a jumper wire between the 2 pins, turn the key on, just till the dash lites come on, no crank. The CEL should start flashing, you count the flashes to get the codes. There is information all over the web about this procedure.

As far as the high idle, you might check throttle linkage, see if it is free, also check the throttle plate, see if it is closed, at idle. On some high idle problems, I have blocked off the iac passages, to see if there is an effect on the idle, there should be a big effect. You could probably use a flat piece of wood over the mouth of the throttle-body, to block air.

How is the fuel pressure? There could be some sensor/s issues, the codes might point you in the right direction.

Jun 17, 2008 at 12:45 PM

RASMATAZ

✓ASE Certified Mechanic
75,992 POSTS

See below Try cleaning out the throttle plate and inspect for a kinked accelerator cable and check the throttle position sensor-

Jun 17, 2008 at 7:10 PM

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