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Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera Repair Questions and Answers

Question:  1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera  mileage: 125,000.  My brake lights don't work.  But only when the " anti lock " dash light comes on and stays on.  If I start the car and the "anti lock" light does not come on, the brake lights will work ok.  The "anti lock" light will usually come on after about 10 minutes of driving.  Any suggestions?  Thank you much...

Answer:  The “ABS” (antilock breaking systems) light will “light” when there is a malfunction in the braking system.  The fault code is then stored in the computer.  The computer must be scanned to retrieve these stored faults to pinpoint the malfunctioning component.  Because the ABS light indicates something is wrong, a trip to you neighborhood automobile service center sooner rather than later is recommended.  Your ABS system may not be functioning.

Question:  1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera  mileage: 193,203.  My car is constantly stalling.  My father and I used car code reader and came up with a number 42 EST (Electronic Spark Timing) code.  We then replaced the computer and fuel pump, but it is still stalling.  As far as I can tell there is no pattern to the stalling, it stalls at idle or going down the road at almost any speed.  Our next step is to try the Fuel pump, but that is a whole day under a car.  I also know that Oldsmobile released a 75-page book on problems the Cutlass' had. 

Answer:  Code 42 (electronic spark timing) refers to the ignition system.   What you should probably do is replace the pick-up coil, the ignition module and the ignition coil.  They should all be replaced at once, because they work together as a “team.”

Question:  1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera  mileage: 126,000.  I have an 88 Olds that stalls when I come to a stop in traffic (autotrans, multiport FI) and have replaced the mass airflow (got a code 33, 34 saying high and low voltage readings replaced mass airflow no change).  Replaced entire ignition system plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and coil distributor.   I do notice at night, sparks traveling around coil and down the outside of spark plug wires and around the base of all plugs yet car still runs OK and I don’t get a shock when I touch the spark.  I have had everything checked in the fuel system and its ok.   Can this arcing be causing the engine to stall and if so what can be causing the arc?  I have replaced everything.  Just rebuilt motor.

Answer:    Try servicing the fuel injection system.  Clean the carbon deposits from the throttle bore and idle passages.  Also, check to see that the catalytic converter is not plugged or restricted.

Question:  1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera  mileage: 200,000.  My problem is the EMC fuse keeps blowing; sometimes it may last 5 minutes and then other times it may blow with the switch being turned on the crank mode.   Do you have any suggestion that may help me?   I would appreciate the help.

Answer:   Check the wiring loom for damage or to see if it is shorted out.   In addition, you may possibly have a bad PCM (power control module), which is the same thing as an ECM.
 

Question: 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera  mileage: 120,000. One of my belts would squeak when I turned on my A/C so I put some WD-40 on the belt until I didn't here the squeak anymore. I drove it around a little and it worked, no more squeaking. But when I started it a few hours later, it started squeaking even without the A/C on! Did I some how make the problem worse? And if so what can I do to fix it?

Answer: Spraying WD-40 is only a short temporary fix that is not recommended. It dries the belt out even worse than before. Once a belt starts squeaking, the only remedy is to replace it.

Question: 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera  mileage: 142,000. Where is the low pressure side charging valve for air conditioning?

Answer: If you are not familiar with air-conditioning, you do not want to start now. It is very dangerous unless you know what you are doing. Special training is required.

Question:  1996 Oldsmobile  Cutlass Ciera   mileage: 124,500.    I have changed the trans fluid and filter at least 3 times.   The trans fluid has a tendency to turn black quickly, but the trans never acted up until recently.  It suddenly started to lose power, so I had the trans fluid and filter changed again.  After that, the fluid once again went quickly to black, the transmisssion developed a hesitation while shifting, and it began to leak fluid.  Now the trans "slams" into gear somewhat when I shift into reverse or when I let off the gas pedal and then accelerate again.  Any thoughts on what the problem could be or possible solutions?

Answer:  We think that the transmission may be failing in your car.  Fluid that turns black quickly, would indicate excessive heat caused by the clutch packs slipping in the transmission.

Question:  1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera mileage: 8,000.  My car was shutting off while driving on the road. It did not shutter and stall, it was like the ignition just immediately shut off.  Fuel pressure and vacuum check ok.  Now the car won't start at all.  Starter motor works, but there is no spark at the plugs.  I have already replaced the three coil packs, the sparkplugs are fairly new, put in at about 60,000 miles and the wires look very good.  I put an ignition module from Advance Auto on the car when it was cutting off on me, but that didn't fix the problem.  Luckily, Advance took the new ignition module back.  Any ideas?

Answer:  Try replacing the PCM (computer) with one that you know works.

Answer:    Check the main power wires by the starter.  You may have a bad connection, also check ground wires.


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