Car stalled now cranks but no start

1986 OLDSMOBILE CIERA
200,000 MILES • 2.8L • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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JEFFCANADA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I was driving my new to me car for $400.00. We are having a crazy heat wave 35 Celsius. I'm heading up a one block long pretty steep hill 3/4 the way up car sputters, fuel guage reads just below quarter tank; boom stalls out. i luckily had momentum to get to top and pull over. I remember it stalling once before but not the same scenario but it started up that time. This time and ever since i haven't got it to start since it cranks fine but no go. The pump and mechanical fuel connections look fairly newish so i'm thinking it was'nt too long ago it got replaced but don't know the details. i have checked fuses, replaced pump relay.. i'm going to check the sparks today, but i'm not too knowledgeable on ignition or most auto mechanic diagnosis at all really. so i have been mad watching YouTube videos and reading car forums and getting wrong and bad advice advice from everyone i know that thinks they know... but seems i know more now about this car then they seem to think they know, lol.. i'm excited to learn more and hey even hear this old car rev again. thanks
Aug 13, 2021 at 9:12 PM
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KASEKENNY
  • Experienced Mechanic
  • 18,907 POSTS
This sounds like a fuel pressure issue so the fact that the pump and other components appear to be new tells me someone may have experienced the same thing and tried to repair it.

However, we need to start with running through this info that helps with getting our head wrapped around the possible causes.

https://youtu.be/dCjmRL3p4Cs

I would suggest starting with checking the pressure as I suspect this is the issue based on what you are saying happened. Checking spark is a good idea as well.

Here is a guide that will help with fuel pressure:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

To check the spark, just pull a plug and crank the engine and hold it against the block and see if it fires. If not, then we need to track that down.

Below you will find the info from the manual on how to check the pressure on this. Let me know if you have questions.
Aug 14, 2021 at 10:27 AM
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CUT213
  • MEMBER
  • 37 POSTS
Jeff....what do all gas powered engines need to run??? AIR, SPARK, FUEL right? Let's skip the air for a moment, not very likely to be starved for air, but it could happen! So a simple test will reveal a possible repair path to follow. Go to an Auto Supply store and purchase a can of BERRYMENS B12 carburetor cleaner, for about $8.00. Return to your car and remove the air cleaner so you can spray the B12 into the (is this a Carburetor or fuel injection motor?) air intake system. But before you spray it, attempt to start it first. Lets confirm that it still wont start normally. Confirm a start or no start condition for a base line. Without spraying B12 into the intake, will it start? YES or NO. If it does not attempt to start, then let's try again with the B12 spray. With the engine spinning over have someone do a QUICK spray into the air intake. Just a quick tap on the spray button, DO NOT try to empty the can into the intake OK. It only needs a small wiff of B12. If the engine attempts to start or does start and run a few seconds, you just confirmed you have spark!!!! If the engine does not respond to the B12 you now know you DO NOT have spark. Either way you now have a possible trail to follow. You got to have spark first. No Spark No Start!!! If you got spark then move on to the fuel system and determine why you are not getting fuel into the system. That could be electrical or could be mechanical. Any way you not have an idea where to start looking and it only Cost $8.00 to find out.
Jul 14, 2026 at 9:26 PM
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STRAILER
  • Experienced Mechanic
  • 55,286 POSTS
Well put, here is a video that may help as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXLJbuAZ4CE&pp=0gcJCZQLAYcqIYzv

Let me know how it goes
Jul 15, 2026 at 10:14 AM
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