1999 Oldsmobile Alero help needed quicklyish

[stephen87]

My girlfriend's car, a 99 Alero, is having issues. It'll turn over, but not start unless you rev the throttle. Once it starts, if you keep the RPMs at 1000, it's fine. Under that and it dies. I'm leaning towards not getting fuel. Any opinions? I need to hopefully get it "fixed" tomorrow since she goes to work the next day, as do I.

 

[sgtonory]

Not likely a fuel issues as it run above idle. Check for a vacuum leak as this will give a rough idle and cause stalling. Also your idle air control motor can cause this issue. Do you have a check engine light on? When below 1k rpm what happens? Any smoke out of the exaust?

 

[PaulF]

Sure, could be fuel. The only way to know for sure is to measure fuel pressure. 1999? That car has OBDII diagnostics...is the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) illuminated?

When was the last time the fuel filter and engine air filter was replaced?

 

[phylodog]

How's the air filter look? If it's overly dirty, torn or not sealing properly you may have a dirty mass airflow sensor. I've seen that cause some strange issues.

Disregard, PaulF is on scene and 4,000 times more qualified to provide advice than I.

 

[stephen87]

Under 1000 and it stalls out. Starting it is a pain, which involves revving the engine like you wanna race someone. No check engine lights. As for smoke, I'm not sure. i just got home and can't see in the dark well enough from the driver seat.

 

[Brandon]

Long shot but a throttle position sensor? Does it die after it has warmed up a bit or does it matter if it's hot/cold - been running a while or not... ? Check engine light on?

 

[stephen87]

Couldn't tell you PaulF. The car was bought by her dad from a random guy akd as far as I know has never had a change.

 

[sgtonory]

I have also seen bad fuel pressure regulators leaking fuel into the vacuum line. Pull off the line and see if it's wet and smells like fuel.

 

[stephen87]

Long shot but a throttle position sensor? Does it die after it has warmed up a bit or does it matter if it's hot/cold - been running a while or not... ? Check engine light on?

Won't run long enough to warm up.

 

[sgtonory]

I suggest taking it to a shop as doing guess repairs can add up quickly and not fix the issue.

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

I'm not much of a mechanic but the first thing I'd do is get under the hood look for something obvious--listen for a vacuum leak or chaffed wire, etc. Can you hear the fuel pump running? Typically you can hear a whine back at the rear, on the gas tank--does it sound right?

Is it possible that the battery cable has come loose (intermittedly)? When your computer loses power, it has to relearn (at least the older ones did). I've had cars where after changing the battery, they ran rough for awhile until the computer relearned itself.

 

[Rocket]

If you keep the rpm up, you should be able to get engine warm. You will have to do it manually. If it idles ok warm, I would GUESS temp sensor a common GM failing. If it won't idle ever baring a vac leak. I would GUESS it to be a bad IAC motor. But without it being here all is just a guess.

 

[darkkevin]

4cyl or v6?

 

[mom45]

Check for a mouse nest or chewed plug wires. I had a mouse chew through the plug wires one time and the car wouldn't run at all. Very hard to start and wanted to die if I did get it started.

 

[terrehautian]

My Jeep has done this twice, the battery was bad both times. Did it three and half years ago and a few months ago. Simple enough to take battery out (at least on my Jeep) and have it tested.

 

[stephen87]

Okay. So I have had success. It was my initial guess, just not in the way I had anticipated. I was guessing probably a bad fuel filter, turns out, by adding 2 gallons of gas, it now starts and idles fine. I'm thinking water in the lines or a bad gauge.

Thanks for all the quick input everyone! Rep for everyone!!!!

Except GFGT. Lol

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

Okay. So I have had success. It was my initial guess, just not in the way I had anticipated. I was guessing probably a bad fuel filter, turns out, by adding 2 gallons of gas, it now starts and idles fine. I'm thinking water in the lines or a bad gauge.

Thanks for all the quick input everyone! Rep for everyone!!!!

Except GFGT. Lol

I had a POS Cavalier that we bought for the kids from a relative that woudn't start one time. I did all sorts of troubleshooting to it. The gas gauge showed a full tank. Guess what the problem was....yep...out of gas. Later that relative told us--Oh yeah, when the fuel level gets low enough, it'll show a full tank. That might have been helpful a couple hours ago, huh?

 

[SSGSAD]

Okay. So I have had success. It was my initial guess, just not in the way I had anticipated. I was guessing probably a bad fuel filter, turns out, by adding 2 gallons of gas, it now starts and idles fine. I'm thinking water in the lines or a bad gauge.

Thanks for all the quick input everyone! Rep for everyone!!!!

Except GFGT. Lol

Keep "late model" cars, above 1/4 tank of gas..... in tank fuel pump can burn ..... also, as said above, TPS, or air idle valve .....
I worked on a Chevy Blazer, and the elect. fuel pump, had 2 output pressures... one for idle, about 35 psi, and one for driving, around 65 psi .....