Will not idle on its own when first started during cold weather. engine races up then down and dies without added accelerator pressure.

SOURCE: 1996 Buick Regal

gas pump

SOURCE: surging during acceleration

If it always, under acceleration, reguardles of what gear you are in, it is must likely, your ignition wires. If it's while coasting, past 45, vehicle in fourth gear, then it would be an isue with your trans. i.e. trans coming in and out of fourth gear or a torck converter clutch problem. Should have codes. If so what are they?

Dennis Mulford

• 1055 Answers
• Posted on Apr 19, 2009

SOURCE: 2000 buick century. starts and idles but cannot

fuel filter or fuel pressure regulator or tps sensor

SOURCE: Sulfur smell and rough starting is noticed and

this could be a fuel filter issue, but more than likely it sounds like a broken down / clogged catalytic converter. to confirm, have an exhaust back pressure test performed. this is a specialized gauge that threads into the oxygen sensor fittings and will tell you if there is excessive restriction. if you plan on keeping this car for a while (more than a year) i recommend using a genuine GM replacement, as the cheaper ones do not last long at all. in any even, it is good idea to change the fuel filter first. good luck!

Testimonial: "THANK-YOU"

SOURCE: 98 buick lesabre oil pressure dropped to 0 and

my sister had the same problem. There are 2 sensors that can cause this when they go bad. One is the oil pressure switch, which is located near the oil filter. When the PCM reads this switch, and gets a low reading, it will automatically kill the engine. The switch costs around $4.00 and is a 5 minute replacement job. The other possibility is that the crank position sensor has gone bad. When this sensor goes bad, the PCM can't read the appropriate speeds of the crankshaft, and will adjust the fuel and air mixture to compensate, often times the engine will die because it is getting insufficient fuel and air. The Crank position sensor is located on the engine block near the water pump. It is around $40.00 and at the most a 30 minute replacement job if you are unfamiliar with the process. I hope this helps. I'm a vehicle mechanic in the Air Force, with roughly 7 years of experience on the floor.