1992 Buick Century stalling out.

Tiny
MIKE MILEW
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 BUICK CENTURY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 97,000 MILES
For a while now, if I drive for a while before I come to a stop my car will shimmy a little and shut off. When I turn it on again it will start right up, but when I put it in gear it shuts off again. This will happen about 3-4 times before it will go when I put it in gear.
Sunday, August 10th, 2008 AT 4:33 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the idle air control valve/throttle position/MAF/MAP sensors and EGR valve
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Sunday, August 10th, 2008 AT 4:37 PM
Tiny
GRAMPS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have a '92 Buick Century Automatic/ V6 with approx. 100,200 mi. This past week it sputtered while idling and then completely turned-off. I have been able to drive it back and forth to work a couple of times since but it will sometimes die when idling.

Maybe we have the same problem and can troubleshoot together? I sprayed throttle body cleaner in the throttle body and now it won't start at all. I am going to replace the oxygen sensor to see if that helps. What things are you trying?
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Monday, August 11th, 2008 AT 10:30 AM
Tiny
MORFIN5FAMILY
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I am trying to learn the know how of my car, how would I know if what you listed are good or in bad condition
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Monday, August 18th, 2008 AT 10:45 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
For a while now, if I drive for a while before I come to a stop my car will shimmy a little and shut off. When I turn it on again it will start right up, but when I put it in gear it shuts off again. This will happen about 3-4 times before it will go when I put it in gear.

Find the idle air control valve and clean it out and see what happens

Disconnect the air intake ductwork from the throttle body.

Start the engine, then increase and hold the idle speed to 1,000 to 1,500 rpm.

Spray the throttle cleaner or engine cleaner into the throat of the throttle body, aiming for the idle air bypass port (usually located on the side or top of the throttle body opening). Give this area a good dose of cleaner (about 10 second's worth).

Turn the engine off to allow the cleaner to soak into the IAC passageway.

Wait about three minutes.

Restart the engine, rev and hold at 1,000 to 1,500 rpm, and repeat the cleaning process again.

Turn the engine off again, and reattach the air intake ductwork to the throttle body.

Start the engine and rev and hold to 1,500 to 2,000 rpm until no white smoke is coming out of the exhaust pipe.

If this fails to make any difference, you can remove the IAC valve from the throttle body and spray cleaner directly on the tip of the valve and/or into the ports in the throttle body. Let the cleaner soak awhile, repeat as needed, then reinstall the IAC valve, start the engine and run it at 1,500 to 2,000 rpm as before until no white smoke is seen in the exahust.

If the idle speed still surges after this, the IAC valve is defective and needs to be replaced.
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Tuesday, August 19th, 2008 AT 12:57 PM
Tiny
ODDMOORE
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
There's a very good chance it's the "Mass Air Flow Sensor". My daughter has a 95 Buick Century, that's been doing the same thing for a couple of months now. At first it was a rare occurance. Then a VERY, VERY frequent one. You drive your car for 10 to 20 minutes and whenever you stop or come to a idel speed it would die, then start right back up. Check engine light comes on more and more. Eventually it's on as soon as you start your car. I used a "Actron Super AutoScanner CP9145 OBDll code reader", to verify my diagnosis and that's exactly what it was. The Mass Air Flow Sensor". Fortunately, it's a easy part to access and remove since it's right on top of your engine. Mine cost, (with a core charge) $136.00 at Autozone. Good Luck. :-)
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Monday, August 25th, 2008 AT 10:49 AM

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