Help elderly lady with car problems [Archive]

View Full Version : Help elderly lady with car problems

2blessedalero

01-05-2009, 12:26 AM

Hey guys,
My elderly mother is the owner of a 99 Alero. It has 90k on it & over $5k in it! We have invested so much into this vehicle it would be ashamed to trade it in now. Our current problem occurs when she is driving, the car just cuts off! It also happens when she is at a stop sign/light. She has to keep her foot on the gas while braking. This causes the Trac Off & SES lights to come on. When it stalls it starts right back up immediatly; she just put it in neutral while crusing, and starts. She has gotten to the point of driving with her foot on both like she is driving a manual. She says it also hessitates when she goes to take off again.

Now from what I have researched on this great site, I have come up with a couple of possibilities:

1.) Fuel Pump
2.) Fuel filter
3.) Ignition cylinder/switch

We have kept up with the maintenance, for the vehicle has had a tune up, when GM claims the car can go 100k before it needs one; the went through the wheel hub battle three (3) times, and we are on our 8th set of brakes, and 5 set of rotors!

Vehicle:
1999
Oldsmobile
Alero
2.4 4-cyl 150 hp
90k miles
no mods

99alerogirl

01-05-2009, 12:39 AM

I had this exact same problem on my old sebring... It was the fuel pump! But unfortunately the whole fuel system went after that... that's what I get having a Chrysler with 180,000 miles :(

But yeah, I'd get the fuel pump checked. When you turn your key over to the ON position (not starting it, it's just before starting it), you should hear the fuel pump run for a few seconds... The sound will be coming from the rear of the car near the fuel tank. I hope this helps!

tnalero99

01-05-2009, 12:51 AM

I had my car briefly cutting off when I would let off the gas to slow down. I had done a few things at the time but the main thing I believe solved it was the throttle position sensor needed replaced.

2blessedalero

01-05-2009, 12:58 AM

ok, I read on here that you have to drop the fuel tank to get to the fuel pump. Is there a way to test it otherwise?

Throttle position sensor. Would that throw a code? Also where is it located on this vehicle?

99alerogirl

01-05-2009, 01:00 AM

I'm not sure about that... I was always just told to listen for the fuel pump running. Mine wasn't, so my testing stopped there... Sorry :(

2blessedalero

01-05-2009, 01:03 AM

Well if it was the fuel pump, why would it start at all? I mean if it didn't do its job and pump the fuel, then the engine would start on the fuel already stored in the line and then stop when it has used all that. Am I correct in saying this?

2blessedalero

01-05-2009, 01:06 AM

I had my car briefly cutting off when I would let off the gas to slow down.

She has told me that it cut off when she is on the highway cruising.

99alerogirl

01-05-2009, 01:07 AM

Mine still worked, it was just really weak, and therefore didn't make a loud enough sound to hear it run. I'm not sure, that's what the mechanic told me haha. It was intermittent too, sometimes I would hear it run, but sometimes I wouldn't.

tnalero99

01-05-2009, 01:07 AM

My fuel pump was working fine so knew that was not the issue for me. The TPS sensor in on the side of the throttle body facing the fire wall. It has a wiring harness going to it and it is black plastic and round, about the size of a quarter. I believe there are 2 star screws holding it on. I bought a new one at autozone around $35 and took about 5 minutes to install. Mine never cut off with gas applied, only when at idle.

99alerogirl

01-05-2009, 01:09 AM

2blessedalero

01-05-2009, 01:20 AM

The TPS sensor in on the side of the throttle body facing the fire wall. It has a wiring harness going to it and it is black plastic and round, about the size of a quarter.

Where is it in this picture?
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_OeAV3tJpNuo/SA-Xz-MyRAI/AAAAAAAACNI/zjfwGFB9jWQ/DSC03914.JPG

Mine never cut off with gas applied, only when at idle.
What about when cruising at 65MPH?

tnalero99

01-05-2009, 01:37 AM

Picture doesn't work and I don't have one either. Likely that the TPS sensor would not be at fault for cruising instances, think the TPS sensor mostly is a problem when cutting out at idle. Hopefully someone else that has had that come up can chime in.

[ion] C2

01-05-2009, 06:22 AM

No, the TPS sensor usually causes issues at certain throttle positions. Mine causes intense lean spikes at low throttle but not at idle. It read too low compared to what the throttle position actually was. The most noticeable problem area was cruising 50-70 mph. Too much air feels like fuel cutting out, but never enough to make it die..

The TPS looks like this, it's on the bottom of the throttle body:
http://thumbs300.1aauto.com/TPS/1ATPS00002.jpg

BUT, I doubt that's your problem. I have a feeling it's the ignition switch.

Gr1m

01-05-2009, 07:11 AM

C2;418090']I have a feeling it's the ignition switch.
x2...

2blessedalero

01-05-2009, 07:26 AM

ok. Ignition switch. Now exactly how do can I first check it, then how do I replace it? I have searched here and on the internet for a write-up or something to tell me how. Does anyone have any pictures? Also is it the switch or lock cylinder? Do I need to go to the dealer, or Autozone?

Midgear

01-05-2009, 02:31 PM

Methinks the ignition switch and lock cylinder are in fact the same thing / piece / or located in the same part, which is that little assembly you stick your key into to turn the car on- not sure on price, but some have replaced it and it fixed several problems, im not even gonna mention price though, cause it could vary depending on location-

AGT

01-05-2009, 02:43 PM

Go Filter 1st...

start cheapest then work your way up. Do the work yourself if you can do basic mechanics.

Vinalero

01-05-2009, 02:59 PM

^^I'd go fuel filter too first, cheap and fairly easy to swap.

What does having to keep her foot on the gas would have to do with the ignition cylinder. If it was the ignition cylinder, it would cutoff the car even if she was revving 5000 rpm imo.

I think It clearly has something to do with fuel system.

2blessedalero

01-05-2009, 03:43 PM

Go Filter 1st...

start cheapest then work your way up. Do the work yourself if you can do basic mechanics.
Where is the fuel filter located on this vehicle? It has the 2.4 twin cam if that makes a difference.

AGT

01-05-2009, 03:58 PM

Should be one by the tank under the trunk...

Redog

01-05-2009, 04:05 PM

C2;418090'] I have a feeling it's the ignition switch.

I have to 3rd this issue.

The ign cyl would shut my car off while driving. Happened only once at, 60 MPH, so it was right to the mech's shop.

$555 for everything. My mech was able to "re-key" the ign lock to my key so I wouldn't have 2 keys for the car

AGT

01-05-2009, 04:09 PM

I have to 3rd this issue.

The ign cyl would shut my car off while driving. Happened only once at, 60 MPH, so it was right to the mech's shop.

$555 for everything. My mech was able to "re-key" the ign lock to my key so I wouldn't have 2 keys for the car

Riiiiippppeeddd oooooffffffff :lol:

2blessedalero

01-06-2009, 01:00 AM

http://www.eye4rugs.com/images/ignition/703602_chevy.jpg

Is this what I need to replace the ignition cylinder?

zzyzzx

01-06-2009, 03:51 PM

Check for vacuum leaks. I'm also curious as to the condition of the spark plugs, plug wires, and how dirty the MAF sensor is, and when the last time the throttle body was cleaned.

2blessedalero

01-06-2009, 11:50 PM

Check for vacuum leaks. I'm also curious as to the condition of the spark plugs, plug wires, and how dirty the MAF sensor is, and when the last time the throttle body was cleaned.
The vehicle has had a full tune up. Where is the MAF sensor located?

Gr1m

01-06-2009, 11:57 PM

i think it cost me $45 to fix the faulty ignition cylinder, replaced it with a keyless push start

2blessedalero

01-07-2009, 12:07 AM

i think it cost me $45 to fix the faulty ignition cylinder, replaced it with a keyless push start
was your car giving you some of the same symptoms as I described? I just want to make sure it is the ignition cylinder before I put any more money into it. I have taken it to many shops and they repair this and that but it still does it.

2blessedalero

01-10-2009, 01:13 AM

2blessedalero

01-10-2009, 04:31 PM

My dad took it to a shop, and they found the problem. Are you guys ready? It was the ignition switch. Months & months of random cutting off, it was the ignition switch. I really appreciate everyone's help in this matter. This is really a great board. Thanks again!
ooops! I was wrong. They didn't replace the ignition switch, they replaced the ignition module. This is a copy of the reciept (http://www.box.net/shared/mxzfp14qav).

99alerogirl

01-10-2009, 04:46 PM

Glad you figured it out!

[ion] C2

01-10-2009, 06:02 PM

"Scan test and found codes for mass air flow sensor and fuel gauge. Warmed motor and got to stall, Checked and found no spark when hot. Checked and found ignition module to be faulty. Cleaned throttle body and MAF sensor. Replaced module with used unit."

The engine does not have a mass air flow (MAF) sensor, so I don't know what that was all about...

The ignition control module, or ICM, is a small rectangular unit underneath the engine cover which handles the spark signals. Nice that that fixed it.

Part: $100 (used)
Shop Supplies: $15
Labor: $242
Total: $390 (incl. tax)

NUTS! Wonder what "shop supplies" they used that cost $15... the 13mm and 10mm sockets?

2blessedalero

01-11-2009, 02:07 AM

C2;419521']The engine does not have a mass air flow (MAF) sensor, so I don't know what that was all about...

Now that you mentioned it! I wonder what he did?