Engine will not stay idling

1996 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS
100,000 MILES • 3.1L • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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LEANN1975
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
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.
May 20, 2022 at 11:00 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 52,796 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
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



May 20, 2022 at 11:22 AM
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