1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass misfire and stalling

Tiny
EDSATO
  • MEMBER
  • 1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
I have changed the fuel filter, pump, and ignition wires. But my 88 olds cutlass cierra international wagon is still having misfire and stalling issues. The misfire is intermittent and happens more when accelerating. But it can happen at any time even at idle. When restarting the car at times the car will start then die again. It runs rough when it does this. After gunning it it seems to clear up the rough running but there is a lot of smoke and the smell is bad. It does not smell like oil burning more like sulphur smell or egr. I had the code read and came up with EGR failure but egr valve seems to be working fine and when I disconnect the vacuum to the valve it still has the missing and stalling. I am kind of stumped and out of ideas at this point. Aside from replacing everything I thought I would seek others wisdom first. Thanks for any help you can give.
Thursday, September 11th, 2008 AT 4:37 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the fuel pressure even if its a new fuel pump. Also might want to cleanout the idle air control and EGR valves to include the PCV and test the throttle position, mass air flow, manifold absolute pressure sensors.
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Thursday, September 11th, 2008 AT 4:49 PM
Tiny
EDSATO
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  • 4 POSTS
I checked the pressure and get 35psi. I cleaned the IAC sensor and it did not help. Need to find out how to test the others. Still need to pull the egr valve just to check it out. Thanks for the fast response.
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Thursday, September 11th, 2008 AT 4:55 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Open up the EGR valve and look for carbon on the EGR valve and its passages make sure its getting vacuum or signal from the computer if its electronic
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Thursday, September 11th, 2008 AT 5:38 PM
Tiny
EDSATO
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I was wondering how would you know if the ECM was the bad and if it could be the defective part?
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Thursday, September 11th, 2008 AT 8:17 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
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The computer is the last place I don't wanna go to till everything checks out within the parameters.

When was the last time the oxygen sensor was replaced? Did you open up the EGR valve.

Run a DTC check on the computer by jumping A to B see below


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_GM_ALCL_15.jpg

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Friday, September 12th, 2008 AT 12:41 PM
Tiny
EDSATO
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  • 4 POSTS
I haven't changed the O2 sensors ever and haven't done the EGR either. What would a DTC check do and what should I check for?
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Friday, September 12th, 2008 AT 8:57 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Just because the CEL is not On-you never know might lead you to something.

Misfires can be caused by worn or fouled spark plugs, a weak spark (weak coil, bad spark plug wire), loss of compression, vacuum leaks, anything that causes an unusually lean fuel mixture (lean misfire), an EGR valve that is stuck open, dirty fuel injectors, low fuel pressure, or even bad fuel.
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Saturday, September 13th, 2008 AT 12:39 PM

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