Engine will not stay idling

Tiny
LEANN1975
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS
  • 3.1L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
I can get the car to start if I hold accelerator to the floor. Once started will only stay running for a few seconds not even a minute sometimes backfires. I bought the car from a friend. It had sat about 5 years. Previously when driving down the road the car would shut off even at 80 MPH, I could turn the key back for 3 to 5 seconds and turn it back on without any problems sometimes. Sometimes I would have to do that multiple times. The last time I drove it, it did the turn off thing I was on a hill so coasted to the bottom until I tried to start it when I started it the whole front end rattled and shut off again. Now I'm at the beginning of this chat.
Friday, May 20th, 2022 AT 11:00 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon,

I would start by checking the fuel pressure. Low fuel pressure will cause this as well as a clogged filter.

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

The other possibility is the ignition control mode.

Is the check engine light on? If it is, do you know the code?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/what-is-a-check-engine-light

Roy

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Friday, May 20th, 2022 AT 11:22 AM

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