Car starts, then stalls after a few seconds

[inition]

My 1999 Olds 88 left me stranded on the side of the road for the first in in almost 100,000 miles. I went out for lunch, car drove great. After an hour eating, we hopped in my car, started it and it stalled after a few seconds. I probably tried to get the car started about 20 times. Same result. It would start up, but stall after a few seconds. Even if I pegged the throttle. I let the car sit for 3 hours. The car started and idled (check engine light came on), so I drove off. The car stalled after 5 miles. I had the car towed to my house. After sitting over night, the car started and ran like a top. I didn't drive it far, just to the garage. The check engine light is still on.

I did a lot of searching on the forums. I did not try to take the connector off of the coil packs yet. I didn't have the tools when the car was acting up. I didn't try to swap the fuel pump relays. I couldn't find them when the car was acting up. I saw crank sensor several times when I was searching. I didn't find the symptoms or how to test it. I saw some posts about the fuel tank. I added two gallons of gas on the side of the road because the fuel level was below a quarter tank. Nothing changed.

Has anyone here had the same issue? Thanks a lot.

My car is a 1999 Oldsmobile 88 with a 3.8 series two non-supercharger. It has 150,000 miles on it. I did the intake repair at 65,000 miles. Plugs,wires and fuel filter were replaced at 100,000 miles.

[MattStrike]

I would start pulling the codes from the check engine light, let us know what you find.

[nos4blood70]

I would start pulling the codes from the check engine light, let us know what you find.

[Bugsi]

Sounds similar to symptoms my Bonneville had when the MAF died.
You can unplug the cable to the MAF and the car in theory should run (and stay running) in "limp home mode".
If you can do that and it stays running, it indicates you have a bad MAF.

Also, pull the codes.

[SSEBonne4evr]

Got to get the codes, also pull the Ign module connector and put on and off a few times.

There is a nut in the center you must loosen first.

[inition]

Thanks for the replies! After referencing this thread:
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... w=previous
and this page:
http://easyautodiagnostics.com/gm/3.8L/ ... ic-tests-1
I found it was the MAF sensor. I ordered a new one from rockauto.com. After a couple drives with the new MAF installed, the check engine light went away.

I very good about doing maintenance on my cars. For some reason, I forgot to change the air filter on my Olds. When I did change it, the filter was completely plugged up. I inspected the old MAF, it didn't look dirty or anything. I'm not sure how it wore out. With the new MAF installed, the car doesn't perform any better or worse (except it doesn't stall any more).

[Bugsi]

For some reason, I forgot to change the air filter on my Olds. <snip> I'm not sure how it wore out.

It became damaged by not changing the air filter. I had the exact same thing happen in my Bonneville when I let the air filter go for a particularly long time. Expensive lesson learned. Change your air filter regularly!