Expert: Skip Bollinger - 6/12/2007

Question
hi i know your not a oldsmobile guy but i would like to ask you anyway, i have a 1992 olds 98 and i think my fuel pump is gone bad, my car will start cold run for a short time but once it heats up it acts like its out of gas puttering and sputtering and then it shuts off and it wont start until the car cools or whatever made the car shut off cools (when the car is about to shut off, if i give it some gas it wont shut off, but eventually it does)

Answer
Jak,
  I'm not a late model car guy either. I'm an OLD parts specialist that has been on a parts counter 34 years. I'm NOT a tech either (stated in my profile) but can offer these thoughts for you to ponder.
  The ideal scenario would be to have a fuel pressure gauge hooked up while someone starts the car and watch the fuel pressure. It sounds like it is running out of gas, to me. If that is not available, look at plan B:.
  I'd pop the hood and open up the air intake so you can spray starting fluid in it. Have someone start the car and when it begins to die, begin spraying starting fluid SLOWLY into the air intake and see if it continues to run. IF it does, it is starving for fuel. This could be caused by the fuel pump getting hot or the fuel pump relay getting hot. The fuel pump is in the tank and gas is supposed to keep it cool. The relay is normally under the hood but I can't tell you exactly where. Your owner's manual may tell you it's location.
  IF fuel is getting to the injectors and there is no problem with fuel delivery, I'd suspect the Idle Air Control Valve OR the Throttle Position Sensor. Both are bolted to the air intake valve and subject to heat. (Carburetor position on old cars).
  With all the air intake stuff removed, have a NON MAGNETIC DEVICE like a wooden hammer handle or a plastic screw driver handle in hand. Have someone start the car. As it idles, begin "tapping lightly" on both parts when the engine begins to die. IF you see any change in the way the car runs, check the electrical connections. IF they look good, try replacing the part that affected the way the engine was running by tapping on it.
  IF nothing happens here, get under the dash and expose the computer. Try tapping on it. See if that does anything. This "tapping" is the modern day version of an old day "shade tree" mechanic. No offense intended.
  If, what I have offered, doesn't help, I give up. Like I said, I'm a Parts Specialist, NOT a tech. I hope it does give you some direction and good luck. I hope this finds you and your family well and happy. Please, while it may be inconvenient, it is just a car. No one has been hurt... or worse. Good luck.
Skip