SPONSORED LINKS

1991 Oldsmobile Ciera Cutlass wont start

Tiny
MAICE
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 OLDSMOBILE CIERA
  • V6
  • 240,000 MILES
After driving through a puddle my car wont start and is making a popping noise. It has been in the garage but it is very cold here and I was thinking maybe something froze on it. I havent really done much since I dont know exactly what to try but I have put it on the battery charger and had a heater in the garage trying to warm it some in case something was frozen in hopes whatever it was would thaw out. Any suggestions?
SPONSORED LINKS
Monday, December 9th, 2013 AT 3:31 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
LET'S TAKE OFF THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP

LEAVE THE WIRES ATTACHED TO IT

WIPE OUT THE INSIDE/ OR SOAK IT DOWN WITH SOME WD-40 (INSIDE THE CAP ONLY)

WE'RE JUST TRYING TO GET THE MOISTURE OUT OF IT

THEN REPLACE THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP AND GIVE IT A WHIRL

RETURN HERE WITH A BIG OLE GRIN!

THE MEDIC
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 9th, 2013 AT 4:23 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,192 POSTS
Where is the popping coming from? Is it a back fire? Did the car stall when you hit the puddle or did it run okay and then just not start back up?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 9th, 2013 AT 4:57 PM
Tiny
MAICE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The popping sounds similar to a backfire and no the car didnt stall after running through the puddle. I actually came home, went out again and parked in the garage where the car was left for 2 days due to ice and snow. It hasnt started since. I will try the WD trick and let you know, Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 9th, 2013 AT 5:51 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,192 POSTS
Before you do that, check to see if there is spark and fuel to the engine. Make sure the fuel pressure is within the manufacturer's specs. NOTE: If you want to make it easy, see if the engine will start with starting fluid. If it does, then the problem is fuel related. If it doesn't start with starting fluid, then chances are the problem is spark/ignition related.

Let me know what you find.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 10th, 2013 AT 5:26 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
DON'T YOU RECKON IT'D BE EZer/ EZist TO POP THE CAP. CHECK FOR MOISTURE. GET RID OF ANY. REPLACE THE CAP AND THEN GIVE 'ER A WHIRL. THEN GET MORE THOROUGH. SHOULD CJ MEDEVAC BE WRONG!

AFTER ALL, WE JUST DROVE THRU A POND PRIOR TO THE ISSUE A-HAPPENIN' !

THE MEDIC
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 10th, 2013 AT 3:32 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,192 POSTS
It wouldn't hurt, but since it ran after this happened, I question if that happened.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 11th, 2013 AT 5:43 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
. INQUIRING MINDS REALLY WANNA KNOW. THE REST OF THE STORY!

THE MEDIC
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, December 20th, 2013 AT 9:27 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Engine Not Running Content

How to fix an engine that wont start
VIDEO
How to fix an engine that wont start
Instructional repair video
Engine Not Starting - Top 3 Easy Steps
GUIDE
Engine Not Starting - Top 3 Easy Steps
Over the past 20 years on 2CarPros we have identified the top three problems that are easily fixed. This can save you a trip to the repair garage or calling a tow truck and...
VIEW MORE

Sponsored links