96 won't idle

Series I L27 (1992-1994 SE,SLE, SSE) & Series II L36 (1995-1999 SE, SSE, SLE) and common problems for the Series I and II L67 (all supercharged models 92-99) Including Olds 88's, Olds LSS's, Olds 98 91-96, Buick Lesabres and Park Avenue 91-96. Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.
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kwc27
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96 won't idle

Post by kwc27 »

I have a 96 Bonneville SSE that I bought for a cheap work car.

It usually won't idle and will quit when I get below a certain speed because the oil pressure drops significantly when I get to a low enough RPM. Many times I will have to shift it into neutral and start it as I'm rolling.

Any ideas?
RogueSSEi
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Re: 96 won't idle

Post by RogueSSEi »

How is the oil? full, half full, low?
Could be the oil sensor for the low pressure reading....
Could be the IAC sensor....
Could be the MAF sensor....
Could be a bad ground....
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Re: 96 won't idle

Post by Silverjet »

I have the same problem with the idle, and the late ignition when i push the pedal. So late that the muffler was torn to pieces.
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kwc27
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Re: 96 won't idle

Post by kwc27 »

RogueSSEi wrote:How is the oil? full, half full, low?
Could be the oil sensor for the low pressure reading....
Could be the IAC sensor....
Could be the MAF sensor....
Could be a bad ground....
Oil is full. It doesn't leak a drop and I just changed it too. Actually it wouldn't surprise me if it was any of those sensors.
RogueSSEi
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Re: 96 won't idle

Post by RogueSSEi »

kwc27 wrote:
RogueSSEi wrote:How is the oil? full, half full, low?
Could be the oil sensor for the low pressure reading....
Could be the IAC sensor....
Could be the MAF sensor....
Could be a bad ground....
Oil is full. It doesn't leak a drop and I just changed it too. Actually it wouldn't surprise me if it was any of those sensors.
A good cleaning with brake fluid for the IAC, don't spray up into the plunger spring, use specific MAF spray for the MAF, dab a little loctite (red kind) on the IAC bolts and reinstall all the sensor, hopefully this will help and eliminate A problem. If oil pressure reading is still low, refer to the tech-info section to go about replacing it, rockauto.com has them for cheap.
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renchjeep
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Re: 96 won't idle

Post by renchjeep »

RogueSSEi wrote:
kwc27 wrote:
RogueSSEi wrote:How is the oil? full, half full, low?
Could be the oil sensor for the low pressure reading....
Could be the IAC sensor....
Could be the MAF sensor....
Could be a bad ground....
Oil is full. It doesn't leak a drop and I just changed it too. Actually it wouldn't surprise me if it was any of those sensors.
A good cleaning with brake fluid for the IAC, don't spray up into the plunger spring, use specific MAF spray for the MAF, dab a little loctite (red kind) on the IAC bolts and reinstall all the sensor, hopefully this will help and eliminate A problem. If oil pressure reading is still low, refer to the tech-info section to go about replacing it, rockauto.com has them for cheap.
I would not use red Loctite on anything I might expect to be taking apart again soon.....use blue, or wrap the threads with teflon tape.
RogueSSEi
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Re: 96 won't idle

Post by RogueSSEi »

renchjeep wrote:I would not use red Loctite on anything I might expect to be taking apart again soon.....use blue, or wrap the threads with teflon tape.
I did with no problems, as I put the IAC on before cleaning it, let loctite set-up then remembered I didn't clean the IAC and took it off lol. I just cleaned the threads in a kerosine solution with a wire brush, good as gold. Blue or red it really doesn't matter. :beerchug:
Silverjet
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Re: 96 won't idle

Post by Silverjet »

I have this problem and did not understand.
The scanner gave errors 18 and 42 (cam/crank error and ignition control circuit)
Power to the sensor goes fine, but I found oil on the camshaft sensor.
He's got to be dry? Also, do not stay idle at all (MAF sensor is installed a new one). Who has any idea?
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Re: 96 won't idle

Post by MattStrike »

Silverjet wrote:I have this problem and did not understand.
Assuming it's the same symptoms as the OP,

Any time I read "oil pressure drops when it idles" I cringe, and tell people to get a mechanical oiil pressure gauge and verify the actual oil pressure. 35psi at idle is normal and healthy. Less than 30 means significant bearing wear but you have time to save up for repairs, and less than 20 means failed bearing somewhere (usually).

A spun/failed rod bearing will cause low oil pressure at idle and it has enough resistance to make the engine incapable of idling.

Verify your oil pressure with a mechanical guage!!!
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Silverjet
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Re: 96 won't idle

Post by Silverjet »

interesting version, and what bearing do you mean? cluster gauge shows the normal pressure.
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