1995 eighty-eight

1995
Oldsmobile
Delta 88
3.8 liter
37,000 miles

OK here is my dilemma, my car randomly dies going down the road at various speeds and at a stop light/sign or while idling in park, it will usually stutter a bit before any of this happens but not always. Heck sometimes I don't even know it died till trying to turn steering wheel because its runs so quiet. At first I could toss up in neutral and restart and be on my way but now I have to leave sit anywhere from 5 min to overnight. Check engine light comes on when this happens but goes right back out when it starts back up, lately I have been hearing a clicking noise coming from the passenger side foot area when the engine light flickers not sure if that has always been there when it happens or not.

History of the car it sat for several years in a garage never started (reason for only 37,000 original miles). The car ran great at first after replacing the dead battery and changing the oil, then after a few months it started the aforementioned condition.

Things I have done to try and fix problem are, replaced fuel filter, replaced fuel pump screen, replaced fuel pump, replaced spark plugs, replaced throttle body sensor, replaced fuel pressure regulator, blew air through fuel lines to see if they were clear, replaced fuel tank sending unit, replaced crankshaft position sensor(a pain to get to).

Now the auto-parts stores here are at a loss as to what it could be and they both tried checking computer but neither could get a reading because it is a 95 and not a 96.

So anyone have any idea what I should try next and where to go from there if that doesn't work? Also sorry so long winded but wanted to try and give as much info as I could.

Thanks,
Jeff

Welcome to AF, the first thing I notice is" the auto parts store is at a loss" What makes you think they have the diagnostic backround to find the problem. When the stall occurs does it start up immediately?

It used to start right back up, but now most of the time it takes 5 mins or overnight to start it back up.

Ok, when this happens check for spark at a plug and check for fuel pressure or spray starting fluid into the intake and see if it tries to start, post back results.

I had a similar problem with mine stalling but it would lose power completly. No lights or anything. After alot of money was spent to figure this out I found that it was just a bad battery post. Hopefully this will help.

Still having issues with this, was curious if you all might think it could be the map sensor, does this control spark at all?

No, and did you check what was suggested?

yes have done all that has been said... car is sitting right now....

Jeff, you may have done the tests but you didn't tell us the results.

It used to start right back up, but now most of the time it takes 5 mins or overnight to start it back up.

My 1997 88ls use to do that, over summer only. Winter it has no problem. I have read that most 88's have a coolant problem. This year i flushed my coolant, hopefully it will have to problems.

You have strong blue spark at the plugs and it will not start with starting fluid correct?