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1991 buick regal stalls upon acceleration
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klysgrl
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Sep 25, 2006, 10:37 AM
Post #1 of 13
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1991 buick regal stalls upon acceleration
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I have a 1991 Buick regal that will stall out when accelerating to go up a hill (quick acceleration I should say). It runs fine when driving in flat area, only gives trouble when going up hill. I have had a recent tune up done (plugs, wires, etc.) all are fine. The fuel pump seems to be working ok...I can hear it come on when I turn the key and goes off when car is turned off. Any ideas on what to check or what could be causing this to happen?
Thank you
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steve01832
Veteran
Sep 26, 2006, 3:20 AM
Post #2 of 13
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Re: 1991 buick regal stalls upon acceleration
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The first check to be made is fuel pressure. If it is OK then it could be anything from a faulty sensor, clogged injectors, transmission not downshifting properly, or a restricted exhaust. Could you reply back with more symptoms so we may narrow this down? Stall means the engine shuts off, does it shut off or are you trying to describe a hesitates, loss of power?
(This post was edited by steve01832 on Sep 26, 2006, 3:25 AM)
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klysgrl
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Sep 26, 2006, 2:07 PM
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Re: 1991 buick regal stalls upon acceleration
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Yes, when I say "stall", I mean that it shuts completely off. In order to restart it, you have to turn the key off first then restart it...can't just do the neutral/turn key. Another thing I have noticed is if you give a quick pressure on the gas pedal, it causes it to stall (completely off) out. The transmission shifts fine and all. The only time I have trouble is when I am trying to accelerate up a hill. A friend of mine said it could be the "MAP sensor"?...I don't know. The car starts up fine, idles without hesitant and drives on flat roads without any problems...its just going up those darn hills.
Again, Thanks for your time and info
(This post was edited by klysgrl on Sep 29, 2006, 12:44 PM)
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steve01832
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Sep 26, 2006, 4:50 PM
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Re: 1991 buick regal stalls upon acceleration
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I must say that in my 18 years as a diagnostic tech this one has me thinking hard.LOL
The only difference between a flat road and a hill is the angle of the car. I wonder if fuel sloshing in the gas tank is the key. If so, I would definitely start with a fuel pressure test to see if the pump is weak and or the screen is clogged. Also, Buicks have had bad torque converter lockup solenoids as a common problem. They can stall an engine in a heartbeat. It's usually accompanied by a hard jerk and bang. Another thing you can try is to let the engine idle and under the hood you can tap the mass airflow sensor with a screwdriver. If the sensor is faulty the engine rpm will be all over the place and the engine could also stall. The airflow sensor is located on the throttle body. Follow the air cleaner duct to the engine and the sensor is a black square with a wire connector plugged into it. Tap gently or you will damage it. Try that and let us know. Try to notice any other factors when this problem occurs. Does the car lurch before it dies, does it shut off without any warning, are you steering when it dies,etc...the more info we have the better our chances of nailing it.
Steve
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klysgrl
Novice
Sep 27, 2006, 4:38 PM
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Re: 1991 buick regal stalls upon acceleration
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No the car does not lurch before it dies out and yes it shuts off without warning (except now, I do have warning...the approaching hills...lol), I guess you can say that I am steering it cause it happens while driving. There are no hard jerks or bangs...it acts the same as it would if I turned the car off myself.
After tapping on several "black squares" with wires going in/out, I have come to the conclussion that I am not a mechanic...lol. I'm kind of leery about tapping on many more things under there cause the frustration level gets a little high.so I am having someone look it over for me that has a bit more understanding of the things under the hood. I will let you know what they come up with.
Thanks for all your help...
(This post was edited by klysgrl on Sep 29, 2006, 1:06 PM)
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klysgrl
Novice
Oct 6, 2006, 3:13 PM
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Re: 1991 buick regal stalls upon acceleration
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Took it in to a shop for a "mechanic" to look at, said it had a crack in the coil pack...changed it but didn't fix the problem. They said problem deeper than they could handle so they had it towed to a different place. They said ignition module was bad and changed it..didn't fix it..said they thought some computer part was burned due to the ignition module going bad...changed it and still didn't fix it. They claim the fuel pressure, pump and filter are fine. The mechanic said it was safe to drive but would have a little miss in the idle. $372.00 later the stupid thing stalled out on me twice (flat roads this time) on the way home from the shop and runs worse than it did before they got a hold of it. Any other ideas... besides getting another car?
I still dont know what they meant by the "problem being deeper than they could handle" if they obviously didn't know what the problem was in the first place.
Thanks
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steve01832
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Oct 6, 2006, 5:09 PM
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Re: 1991 buick regal stalls upon acceleration
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Sorry to hear that you had that kind of experience. It sounds to me that the problem being deeper means that they may not have a computer tech at the shop. They try their best but guessing is not the answer.
Is your check engine light on now? Please post back and we'll go further.
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klysgrl
Novice
Oct 6, 2006, 6:46 PM
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Re: 1991 buick regal stalls upon acceleration
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I bought the car over 5 years ago...the service engine soon light has been on from day 1. I took it in before I bought it to have it checked and was told that everything was working fine. I haven't had much trouble with the car, (minus replacing the alternator and starter). I keep up on the tune ups/oil changes and all that fun stuff. The car wasn't displaying any type of trouble before this happened. It is a 3.8L V6 not sure if I ever mentioned that. I do understand that they try their best but the second place that had my car did have a computer tech. I guess it makes sense with the first place not having a computer tech and therefore not being able to find the problem...and I can't really complain about the first place much because they put the coil pack on and did not charge me for the part or labor...they said that I had only asked them to look at it to see if they could find the problem...not repair anything. The second place is the one who ended up charging me that much for the ignition module and then told me the car was safe to drive.
If there is a problem with the fuel injectors, would it affect the fuel pressure? After researching a bit on the internet, I've seen where some have mentioned a cam sensor and experiencing some problems like mine...is that a possibility? Would that have been picked up on the diagnostic testing?
Thanks again for all your time and help
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 7, 2006, 12:09 AM
Post #9 of 13
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Re: 1991 buick regal stalls upon acceleration
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Did I read that right that you've had the "service engine soon" light on for five years!!
Knock, Knock, HELLO!! It may not be the problem but you need to know why.
Any chance HAIR COLOR is involved here? T
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klysgrl
Novice
Oct 7, 2006, 2:03 AM
Post #10 of 13
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Re: 1991 buick regal stalls upon acceleration
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I wanted to know why the service engine soon light was on too but when I took it in before buying it the MECHANIC told me that everything was fine!
As for the hair color..the MECHANIC didn't have any hair so not sure what color it was...if you are referring to mine..(you may have been joking but regardless) that was rude! I never claimed to be a mechanic and that is why I posted here so that someone may be able to offer advice in an area I know nothing about.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 7, 2006, 5:24 AM
Post #11 of 13
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Re: 1991 buick regal stalls upon acceleration
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My apology for that. It still concernes me why this light is on. It's a base point to start from and I am shocked that a mechanic told you it's just fine.
It may not be but could have been the cause of what is happening now even though it took so long.
Your car is making split second decisions on how much fuel to deliver and timing based on the information it gets from lots of sensors. If it's stalling it is certainly getting some bad information.
OK - when the service engine light is on there is a fault and the car's computer would erase the problem code if just temporary and light would go out. You can get the code read at some large parts stores like AutoZone for free and by now it may have stored up a few codes that could be helpful.
A problem here is that a poorly running engine will wipe out a catalytic converter and simply replacing it won't solve the problem but could be part of the problem now.
Get the stored code (s) and let's see what we can do, T
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klysgrl
Novice
Nov 13, 2006, 4:17 PM
Post #12 of 13
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Re: 1991 buick regal stalls upon acceleration
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Hello...yes I am back and still having problems with the car. It doesnt stall out now going up the hills but loses power on any incline (start at bottom at 50, at top of incline will be lucky to be doing 30). I tired AutoZone as you suggested Tom and their machine only works on cars 96 and up soo Steve helped with that and it showed the MAF sensor and CAM sensor as bad, replaced those and the service engine soon light went off. In the mean time, I have also had replaced the ignition module, coil pack, O2 sensor, complete new tune up, fuel filter and fuel pump, and a couple other little things...even kicked the car a few times but so far nothing is working. It not only loses power on inclines but it will also bog out/shake after you hit a certain speed (anything above 25), it will stop if I let up on the gas and the accelerate it again but only lasts for a few minutes.
I have been out car shopping the past couple of weeks and have my eye on a 2003 pontiac grand am but the salesman is determined to put me in a 2000 Hyundai Sonata. The grand am has 52,000 miles compared to the sonata that has 74,000 and the grand am is $2000 cheaper. Any advice on which is better mechanically? Or a car that would be better?
Thanks, Kim
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 13, 2006, 5:46 PM
Post #13 of 13
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Re: 1991 buick regal stalls upon acceleration
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First check the valuations at a few sites like KBB.com , NADA.com or others like Edmunds.com ..
The Hyundai may include the rest of a 100,000 mile warranty which is worth something and what counts the most is the real condition and history of the car. That and which one do you like better? T
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