!988 Olds Cutlass Ciera old-low miles won't idle


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!988 Olds Cutlass Ciera old-low miles won't idle

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WildRoadFrog
New User

Jun 9, 2014, 7:19 AM

Post #1 of 5 (1401 views)

!988 Olds Cutlass Ciera old-low miles won't idle	Sign In

My !988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera (international) 3.8L V-6 ,24K original miles, won't idle. Once started will die. Runs fine with a foot or bricks on the accelerator. The cruise control is not working anymore either. Might these two problems be related. Could this be a vacuum problem? Is there a recomended test procedure ie..check hoses and fittings/devices, clean air input path and sensors. Can it be done without vacuum gauge. This vehicle probably sat in garage for long periods of time. Thoughts/advice welcome

Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jun 9, 2014, 7:20 AM

Post #2 of 5 (1399 views)

Re: !988 Olds Cutlass Ciera old-low miles won't idle	Sign In

First eliminate all vacuum or air leaks in the system. You may have a bad IAC ( idle air control) but try cleaning the throttle body first. Remove the intake snorkel, have someone hold the throttle wide open for you and scrub the back side of the throttle plate and surrounding bore with an old tooth brush and some carb cleaner. Be sure to spray some into the small holes next to the throttle plate. That should help stabilize the idle. If it still has a problem, replace the IAC.

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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.

WildRoadFrog
New User

Jun 28, 2014, 6:51 AM

Post #3 of 5 (1341 views)

Re: !988 Olds Cutlass Ciera old-low miles won't idle	Sign In

Thanks Hammer Time for your suggestions. In doing so I discovered a split in
the rubber adapter between "vacuum connector block" and the steel vacuum pipes
( 3X - 3/16" & 2X - 1/4" ). This adapter is rubber and has five tubes built
into it. The split appears to be in the line of Idle Control and Cruise
Control. The "vacuum connector block" is easy to find on ebay and elsewhere in
a package without the adapter piece. I would love to find one that fits before
I rig one up with short bundled hoses??? I'll try to show a photo. Anybody???

Thanks

Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jun 28, 2014, 7:34 AM

Post #4 of 5 (1337 views)

Re: !988 Olds Cutlass Ciera old-low miles won't idle	Sign In

The dealer or the junkyard are about your only options.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.

Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jun 28, 2014, 8:52 AM

Post #5 of 5 (1332 views)

Re: !988 Olds Cutlass Ciera old-low miles won't idle	Sign In

If just that split alone try some "Liquid Electrical Tape" as what I have is liquid neoprene and heat/fuel vapor tolerant and would at least fix that for now. LET IT DRY COMPLETELY IF YOU TRY THAT.

Doubt new will be easy or used any good so tough to find thing IMO,

T

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