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'91 Olds Cutlass Ciera: Firing issue
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ThePsuedoMonkey
New User
Mar 24, 2012, 4:31 PM
Post #1 of 5
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'91 Olds Cutlass Ciera: Firing issue
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Hello Everyone! I'm hoping to bounce a few ideas around, since I'm hoping that I've missed something silly at this point.
My car is a 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera sedan (3.3L). Recently, I rebuilt the transmission as a cautionary measure (+225k miles!) while replacing the torque converter due to lock up issues. Right now, the engine starts but is definitely not firing correctly; only cylinders 2 and 5 get HOT from running ~30s, and it sounds like The Little Engine Who Could. However, swapping out the ICM and coils did not change this, and the plugs are all in good shape and gapped to 0.060". I checked the firing order in the service manual (1-4-5-2-3-6), and that's good. When I tested the fuel pressure (set ignition to "run" and checked as quickly as I could) the gauge read 50 when I saw it, but must've been higher since it was falling off by then (I think it runs at 90 though), but that seems normal since the fitting to the gauge is buggered up and leaks. I checked all of the connectors on the wiring harness, and all seems good. The fuel filter was clean, so I don't think the injectors are clogged (four at once?) but I don't know for certain.
What other causes would you guys think to check? This may not be related to the transmission work, since I seem to remember it running like this the final time I was driving it prior to the rebuild. I'll browse around in the Haynes and the service manual in the meantime. Cheers!
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 24, 2012, 7:11 PM
Post #2 of 5
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Re: '91 Olds Cutlass Ciera: Firing issue
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You need to check coil output from all your coils. You'll need a spark tester to confirm if you have a strong spark at the end of each plug wire.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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ThePsuedoMonkey
New User
Mar 25, 2012, 10:19 AM
Post #3 of 5
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Re: '91 Olds Cutlass Ciera: Firing issue
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OK, I didn't have a real spark tester, so I used a timing light instead. The timing light seems to indicate that each coil is firing properly, but I'm not sure if that means they are all strong too.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 25, 2012, 10:42 AM
Post #4 of 5
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Re: '91 Olds Cutlass Ciera: Firing issue
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Using a timing light can be inconclusive in determining the strength of the spark or the output voltage of the coil secondary. You really don't know how much magnetic strength is takes to cause the strobe light to flash. You could have a weak coil, shorted winding, or high resistance in the ignition cable and not know it even though the strobe light flashes.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Mar 25, 2012, 10:43 AM)
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ThePsuedoMonkey
New User
Mar 29, 2012, 7:42 PM
Post #5 of 5
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Re: '91 Olds Cutlass Ciera: Firing issue
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Looks like it was the MAF sensor, we'll see if it pops up again.
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