Will just quit running

[jnp59]

My 1985 Olds 98 will just stop running when driving or idling and when I try to restart it, it will start right back up or I will have to let it sit a bit before it will start. Can anyone help thanks.

[Hansnet]

is it the V8 or a VERY rare 3.8 v6??

[jnp59]

A re-manufactured 3.8 v6 replaced in 1997 and has 20,000 on it and also has the round type distributor.

[Hansnet]

oh I was thinking it was an 88 for some reason.

Was the engine from GM directly or did someone rebuild another engine from another car???

The reason I ask is the Engine from 85/86 was different from 87 and 88 was different from 87. If it was not the EXACT same revision of that motor you might have some issues with the pcm but assuming it is....

It could be a variety of issues, so I will start out with the easiest to fix:

FPR (fuel pressure regulator)
IAC Valve
TPS is bad
MAF is bad
Clogged Fuel filter
Intermitent (dying) fuel pump
Bad coils.

What do you mean it has the "round type distributor" If you are saying it has delco instead of the magnavox this was not even offered until late 1987....

[jnp59]

It's from a company call Engine & Transmission Exchange, INC. I thing when they replace a bad engine with one of there re-manufactured ones they rebuild the bad one and put it on the shelf for the next customer. What I mean about the round type distributor is the type thats in the older cars like from the 50's 60's and 70's were the cap itself is round.

[Hansnet]

do you have any photos of the engine bay???

does it look like this:



That motor has to be quite rare, 86 was much different from what I can tell.

Refer to my previous post on what to check.

[jnp59]

Originally Posted by Hansnet

do you have any photos of the engine bay???

does it look like this:



That motor has to be quite rare, 86 was much different from what I can tell.

Refer to my previous post on what to check.

Yes that is what it looks like.

[auto trainy]

It sounds like a v8 with a carburator,right?

[1990TS]

1985 3.8's used in FWD C-body applications still used an HEI distributor. The D.I.S (distributorless ignition system) was not used on these cars until 1986. Most likely needs a MAF (mass air flow senser.) Do a Tap test on it when the engine is running and see if engine stalls. It's located between air cleaner box and throttle body in the convaluted air tube. (tap on it lightly with a screwdriver) These were a problem on the 1985's but then again it could be a lot of stuff after 20 years of use. But start there and repost if you need more help.

[auto trainy]

Thank's Hasnet and 1990ts I now have some new knowlege,then again I haven't followed every single model.

[jnp59]

Originally Posted by 1990TS

1985 3.8's used in FWD C-body applications still used an HEI distributor. The D.I.S (distributorless ignition system) was not used on these cars until 1986. Most likely needs a MAF (mass air flow senser.) Do a Tap test on it when the engine is running and see if engine stalls. It's located between air cleaner box and throttle body in the convaluted air tube. (tap on it lightly with a screwdriver) These were a problem on the 1985's but then again it could be a lot of stuff after 20 years of use. But start there and repost if you need more help.

Thanks for your help it ended up being the control module.

Jeff

[jnp59]

Originally Posted by Hansnet

oh I was thinking it was an 88 for some reason.

Was the engine from GM directly or did someone rebuild another engine from another car???

The reason I ask is the Engine from 85/86 was different from 87 and 88 was different from 87. If it was not the EXACT same revision of that motor you might have some issues with the pcm but assuming it is....

It could be a variety of issues, so I will start out with the easiest to fix:

FPR (fuel pressure regulator)
IAC Valve
TPS is bad
MAF is bad
Clogged Fuel filter
Intermitent (dying) fuel pump
Bad coils.

What do you mean it has the "round type distributor" If you are saying it has delco instead of the magnavox this was not even offered until late 1987....

Thanks for the help it ended up being the control module.