1988 3.8 olds cutlass Ciera stalls, no spark until it cools down

Check fuel injector fuses. With the key one you should have power to the injector plug. You could have (gas) fouled out spark plugs. Or timing jumped.

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Need diagram for 88 olds 3.8 engine`firing order - Fixya

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Aug 3, 2011 - need diagram for 88 olds 3.8 engine`firing order - Oldsmobile 1988 Cutlass Ciera question.

There is a You Tube Video you can watch
on GM Throttle Body disassembly

I would mail them away for testing & ultra-sonic
cleaning

Not likely the injectors are causing the dieing

Check for a worn timing chain & vacuum leaks

vapo locking! check vuel pump.

Check spark at spark plug using a spark tester and fuel pressure at the rail when it acts up. If the pressure is ok at the rail, but the injectors aren't firing, that can point to a bad computer.If the fuel pressure is present but the spark is not being supplied to spark plug wires to spark plugs, then an ignition module might be in need of replacement (the metal plate the coil packs sit on). If the engine has a service engine soon light before it dies, maybe check the codes that should be stored in the computer using an OBD-I scanner.

89 cierra? It should be DIS ignition so you can't have the timing too high. You said it has fuel and spark. Fuel pressure and injection pulse. Does it try to start if you spray carb cleaner into it?

Sounds like idle air control or cam position sensor. Throttle control valve(sensor)?

Is this a carberated or a TBI type fuel system . if it is TBI look to see if your getting fuel if not you will need to change the ignition module

I AM LEANING TOWARDS A POSSIBLE BAD CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR A POOR CONNECTION IN THE IGNITION CIRCUIT, PERHAPS A BAD IGNITION MODULE. CHECK TO SEE IF YOU HAVE POWER GOING IN THE MODULE AND GOING OUT. ALSO CHECK FOR SPARK WHEN IT IS HOT. I HOPE THIS HELPS. THANKS FOR USING FIX-YA AND FOR AN HONEST RATING. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO KEEP ME POSTED ON YOUR PROGRESS. BEST OF LUCK.

Some times the fuel line may be too close to the exhaust manifold or engine and can create a condition called vapor lock. This is where the fuel is heated to a vapor in the fuel line. This is easily corrected by just moving the fuel line away from the source of the heat.