1995 Oldsmobile 88 starts then runs bad until warm

DANNY ADAMS

MEMBER
1995 OLDSMOBILE 88
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
52,000 MILES

When the car is cold after sitting for 3 hrs or more. It starts, runs, then the volts and heat lights come on and the car dies. I can keep the car running by giving it gas, It puts a lot of gas and smoke out the exhaust. The speedometer needle also moves when the volts light comes on. The problem first started if I had the cruise control on when I started the car, if I turned it off the car would run fine. If I turn the cruise on going down the road it starts running bad. The car runs fine after it gets warm.

Monday, December 7th, 2009 AT 11:34 AM

3 Replies

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

Welcome to the forum, if your fully obd 1 compliant, check for trouble codes. There many issues that could cause rough running. Your coolant temp sensor could cause a temp related issues, I'm not saying the sensor is faulty, just a possibility. How long since a tune-up? I can't tell from here if the cruise is causing your problem?

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Monday, December 7th, 2009 AT 11:50 AM

DANNY ADAMS

MEMBER
2 POSTS

How do you check for trouble codes?

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Monday, December 7th, 2009 AT 11:56 AM

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

If you have the 12 pin datalink connector, you may be able to access mil codes. You use a jumper wire between terminals A & B of datalink connector, lower edge of dash, usually. You turn the key on, no crank, the mil starts flashing on the dash, you count the flashes to get the codes. Your looking for two digit codes. You need to be sure your obd1 compliant, 95 is crossover year from obd1 to obd2.