1989 Delta 88 Acceleration Sputter while cold.

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mathenis89

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I recently purchased an '89 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale, due to it being cheap and my needing a vehicle for transportation back and forth to work. However, an issue has been occurring for several months that has driven me up the wall. When the car is first started, it may take anywhere from 2-4 key turns to get the car running. After that, shifting into drive can oftentimes cause the car the sputter and sometimes cut out completely. When accelerating at a LOW speed, the car sputters and shakes violently and sometimes dies. Sometimes, though more often not, turning the car off and restarting it will fix the problem and the car will run fine.

However, after having a battery issue where my terminals got loose and cause starting issues (fixed now), the sputtering seems to have intensified some. Restarting the car doesn't seem to get rid of the issue at all and the sputtering seems to last a much longer time. Originally, driving the car at speeds of 25-40mph for 5-10 minutes would eliminate the problem, but now the problem is still persisting somewhat even after that circumstance.

The car has a new fuel filter, so I know it isn't that. If anyone has any ideas at to what the problem may be, I'd love to hear some advice.

Thank you,
Austin
 
Well, I had someone tell me it was the Fuel Pump. IT has a Code 41: Cam Shaft Sensor as well. I just wanted to see if there were any more affordable suggestions or ideas as to what the problem may be before I jump for a $200 fuel pump replacement.
 
Would you be changing the fuel pump yourself if it needs changing? If not, it's going to cost a lot of money to have a shop do it, because the pump is in the gas tank on the 1989 88 R.
 
When you are initially shifting, does it help if you floor the accel? You may be having transmission problems, not engine or fuel delivery problems. If the transmission has not shifted properly, or something on the selector is out of alignment, or you are having problems with electrical solenoids in your trans, you may be getting the sputtering and dying, just like trying to pop the clutch in 4th gear on a manual trans. If you can floor it and not have the sputter, or it shifts better, I would look at the transmission. There are electrical components to your trans that may reset by turning off/back on, or may be set properly when the engine reaches warm idle speed or the car is moving at speed. My guess is there is a solenoid on the valve body of your trans that is intermittently sticking. I could be wrong though. You may be having issues with the engine, but it sounds like it is happening more when you're getting in gear than anything else. I am guessing you have the 3.8 V6 and a 4T60 overdrive trans. Is this correct?
 
Flooring it doesn't really help, no. Usually it stalls out the car completely and causes it to die.

And yes, it's a 3.8L and 4T60 Trans
 
You say it is showing code 41 cam sensor fault?.
So get it checked out, certainly the problems you describe are consistent with that fault.
 
The problem was the fuel pump. I apologize for such a late reply, but I got the fuel pump replaced and it runs like a champ.
 
mathenis89 said:
The problem was the fuel pump. I apologize for such a late reply, but I got the fuel pump replaced and it runs like a champ.
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Ty for this public info, I have the same vehicle ( bought for the same reasons) Same issues started yesterday and prob the same issue. The Only problem here is finding an Honest mechanic, have issues w This. Hope All continues to go well for you🙏🏽
 
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