justinwebb Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 I have my first car a 91 olds cutlass ciera V6 3.3L and it has sat for a while as I cant seem to figure out the issue. When I start the car it right away goes into a crazy high idle and then dies. I have checked the ECU thinking it had gone out but everything looks ok. Where should I start looking, I am assuming its a sensor somewhere and its so old it doesnt have any codes that its throwing. Any help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky31186 Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 What do you mean "EVerything looks ok" These cars are notorious for ECU's and MAF's Also IAC, TPS, and other issues Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justinwebb Posted January 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 What do you mean "EVerything looks ok" These cars are notorious for ECU's and MAF's No burning on the board, no bad or leaking caps, nothing that would indicate a blown circuit board. I was driving it and stopped at the grocery store, came out and wouldnt stay running. Seemed more like a sensor but I could be wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky31186 Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 Visual check doesnt always mean its good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justinwebb Posted January 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 Visual check doesnt always mean its good. yes I know this, but I didnt have any way of testing it, I just didnt want to start dumping money into places and it not be the issue. Would there be anything else I should look at or just buy a new ECU and try that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky31186 Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 Did you try unplugging the MAF and see if it starts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justinwebb Posted January 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 Did you try unplugging the MAF and see if it starts? I can check that, was also thinking it might be the TPS, I just didnt want to keep cranking on it as i figure starting up at a super high idle isnt good for an engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SinisterSS Posted January 9, 2013 Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 you sure there aren't any codes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patterson Posted January 9, 2013 Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 Is there Fuel in it? Is it old fuel and just very low tank level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justinwebb Posted January 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 you sure there aren't any codes? Yep no codes Is there Fuel in it? Is it old fuel and just very low tank level. 3/4 tank of new gas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky31186 Posted January 9, 2013 Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 Well unless you start checking the items listed, or throwing parts at it. Only other thing I can think of is since it sat for awhile, chewed up wires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontiacfreak142 Posted January 9, 2013 Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 Check for chewed wires, make sure the rubber intake tubeing is all connected right and tightend up, pull MAF and spray it off with brake clean. Just a few places to start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justinwebb Posted January 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 Well unless you start checking the items listed, or throwing parts at it. Only other thing I can think of is since it sat for awhile, chewed up wires. I'll check everything you listed, it ran then died and I looked at it right after it died but didn't have the time to work on it. So there shouldn't be any chewed wires and its only sat for a month or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted January 9, 2013 Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 Hit the PCM while trying to start it. Personally I hate working on those old OBD1 PITA things, guess I'm spoiled with OBD2 and all the scanning equipment. Usually by the time I see them at the dealer someone has already thrown a bunch of parts at it and gave up. The early 90s computers are junk and failure is pretty common. Last car like that I had to replace twice because the first one off the shelf was bad too. Have fun bud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justinwebb Posted January 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 I shall try that as well, when it comes to the honda its easy peasy but this older car is hard to diagnose. I appreciate all the help, I will try it when I get some free time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SinisterSS Posted January 10, 2013 Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 I know you said there's no DTC's but do you have a OBD1 checker? or how did you check for codes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted January 10, 2013 Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 I know you said there's no DTC's but do you have a OBD1 checker? or how did you check for codes? It's very likely he doesn't have any, most codes in an OBD1 GM clear pretty quickly if they even set in the first place. Not staying running almost certainly would not have codes. It's just how primitive GM's shit was at the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SinisterSS Posted January 10, 2013 Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 It's very likely he doesn't have any, most codes in an OBD1 GM clear pretty quickly if they even set in the first place. Not staying running almost certainly would not have codes. It's just how primitive GM's shit was at the time. My 89 Iroc would store a code even if the light wasn't on, not the code 12 which basicly says the OBD system is functional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted January 10, 2013 Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 My 89 Iroc would store a code even if the light wasn't on, not the code 12 which basicly says the OBD system is functional. Okay well seeing as how those had very similar engine management as the Vette they worked better, we're talking about something a little different for the Olds. GM has always put their best stuff in the Vettes and the f-body was always the next thing to get it. Besides I'm just sharing my experience with the older stuff, its not like I've had to work on very many OBD1 GMs. I was getting stuck with every one of them that came in the shop and I bet I didn't see 1 a month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SinisterSS Posted January 10, 2013 Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 Okay well seeing as how those had very similar engine management as the Vette they worked better, we're talking about something a little different for the Olds. GM has always put their best stuff in the Vettes and the f-body was always the next thing to get it. Besides I'm just sharing my experience with the older stuff, its not like I've had to work on very many OBD1 GMs. I was getting stuck with every one of them that came in the shop and I bet I didn't see 1 a month. well going on what he's saying with his issue the ECU is the most replaced part, 2nd is the Fuel Injectors, 3rd being the Ignition Coil(s) followed by TP sensor, those seem to be the most common issues for that car with that problem Justin go to Pick-n-Pull and get a used ECU start from there, I think they're $26.99 with a $4.99 core charge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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