20 Most Recent 2002 Oldsmobile Alero - Page 3 Questions & Answers

on the out put housing pass side small plug 11mm wrench remove while car idling on a level surface add correct fluid type until runs out of hole

Look for oil in the coolant, it will make a murky paint like floating substance in the coolant overflow and radiator. If this is the case you may have a leaking head gasket or intake gasket allowing the cooling system water and oil to mix. You may also notice a bluish white smoke from the exhaust when accelerating if the headgasket has failed.

Where did you try to by-pass at , with the 2000 ohm resistor ? Is the SECURITY light lit on the instrument cluster ? Probably has another problem other then the key . The anti-theft system in your vehicle can not be by-passed by using a resistor . The Passlock™ System is provided in order to prevent vehicle theft if the ignition lock cylinder is forced to rotate or the ignition switch is operated while separated from the ignition lock cylinder case. If starting is attempted without authorization from the Passlock™ System, the powertrain control module (PCM) will disable engine starting. Start disable may be in the form of fuel disable or starter disable, depending on engine application. Your best bet , take it to a qualified repair shop . Before you render it unfixable . (cost to much )

There is no "radiator cap" on the Alero. It has a pressurized recovery tank (overflow bottle) integrated into the cooling system. Unlike other cooling systems where you can add coolant to the coolant reservoir when the engine is hot as there is no pressure in the reservoir, these tanks are at full system pressure and must be allowed to cool down in order to check levels and/or add coolant. This is the only place in the system that allows for coolant input.

Check the codes. If it's the 3.4 vs then a good chance either a lower intake manifold gasket leaking or blown head gaskets as that is very common on that engine and is more noticeable in gear. Honestly hard to answer with specifics without more details including any codes stored.

Call GM dealer service and they should be able to give you an idea over the phone. Describe the EXACT problem to them. This could be a bad keyswitch or a key gone bad. Could be bad switch down on steering coumn which keyswitch actuates. Hard to say. don-ohio

What is your question ? If you have aftermarket tires or struts, may need to put back what the manufacturer recommends.

As for the lights being on many GM products do that right after the key is off but if you open the driver's door they should go off. Not sure if that model is part of the ignition switch recall or not. Due to numerous ignition switch problems I would have the ignition switch replaced. The key cylinder IS NOT the switch. The key lock cylinder operates a rod that in turn moved the ignition switch to various positions. Battery must be disconnected and care taken not to deploy the airbag while the switch is replaced. I think I would go with a after market brand such as Delphi rather than another AC Delco factory switch. The engine shutting off after starting may also be the ignition switch not moving to the RUN position properly. Before doing anything else I'd replace the ignition switch then go from there if the two problems are not cleared up.

Noises such as what you describe can be associated with wheel bearing, drive shaft or brakes. The rattling noise could be a loose brake-backing plate and the buzzing noise caused by it touching a spinning brake rotor. However, it could also be a worn drive shaft/constant velocity joint, which is the usual culprit. The only real course of action you have is to give a mobile mechanic a call or take the car to a workshop and ask them to investigate -it will take just a matter of minutes.

Pull a plug wire , set the end close to the engine, crank it and watch for spark. No spark could be the cranks sensor, wires, ignition module , fuse, or PCM. Have the codes read. Could be the fuel pump too. I have had them die shortly after installs.

What's wrong with it?

TPS - throttle position sensor !

If transmission fluid level is up to specs then the unit is in need of repair.

Rob, Your brakes will work, they just will not have abs function. You could take vehicle into a good shop and have scanned for codes, diagnosed and repair estimate. "I hope this helped you out, if so let me know by pressing the helpful button. Check out some of my other posts if you need more tips and info."