Car stalled twice, low oil pressure & coolant light, please help!
 

On a 2 mile trip back to my house, my '94 Olds LSS with 102K miles stalled out twice.:sad: I have only had the car since mid-January, but this is the first time its ever stalled. The oil pressure warning light came on (1st time I've seen it) along with the low coolant light (have seen this intermittently). I was able to restart the car coasting in neutral the first time. I drove it another mile and it stalled out again, same dash lights. This time I had to stop the car completely before it would restart. I did not lose any electrical function at either of these stalls.

Can any one tell me what is going on??? :nm I got home just when it turned dark & cold, so I haven't checked under the hood yet.

Is it dieing when you let off the gas or while driving along? I would start with checking the fuel pressure. Could be a bad fuel pump or clogged fuel filter. Also check for vacuum leaks.

Thanks, Dan. I was just driving along. Forgive my ignorance, is the fuel pump electrical or mechanical? If electrical, is there a fuse or relay that commonly fails? Also, I have owned several classic Cougars with vacuum lines out the ying yang, but not really notice any on the 3800. Where should I check first???

As an aside, I had noticed a little bogging when accelerating up hill and more recently from a stop, but I thought it was maybe the trans instead... does it sound maybe more fuel related??

Electrical fuel pump. If it was the fuel it would not restart. Checking the pressure will tell you if that's the problem.

How old are the plugs, wires, and coils. Pull the plugs and inspect them.

I have no idea how old the plugs & coils are. Also no idea how I would check the fuel pressure- would I need to take it someone to do that?

We have just aboput every test covered in the tech info area. You will need a pressure tester to check that though. So you may need to have someone else do it. But checking the plugs you can do.

If both oil pressure and low coolant lights come on make sure coolant is not getting into your oil.
make sure you check coolant level. Also check oil level and appearance.

Were the lights on before it stalled or after?

Lack of coolant can cause the engine to run hot, which then thins the oil causing it to give low pressure. There's a bunch of possibilities here.. Please give us more info.

Thanks everybody, here is a little more info:

I think the headlights were off... I don't know precisely when the dash warning lights came on. It stalled, I looked at the dash, and the warning lights were on.

I checked the coolant level (cold) this morning, it was actually above the 'coolant hot' line on the translucent container -- one of the reasons I have disregarded the 'low coolant' light when it has come on about once a week. I must also mention that I have had a 'check engine' light come on 2 times in the month I've had the car-- has come on briefly then turned itself off. The oil looked a little low, maybe less than a quart low. The color/texture of the oil looked OK, I forgot to smell it though.

I then drove the car on a 4 mile round trip without issue this morning. There was just the slightest bog when accelerating a couple times. I believe the car may have a minor exhaust leak somewhere, I don't know if that is somehow a factor?

The plug wires are factory marked 1, 2,3,etc, "Packard" are they maybe OE? Or do the replacement ones show these markings too? EDIT: just checked plug #1. Electrode defin. worn down and rounded, also, the element may show 'hot' conditions. I got new plugs now and WOW what a visual difference. I also got new plug wires. Q? how do I get the rail piece the wires run through off? just the one bolt that is holding the dipstick?

I believe the oil and coolant lights came on after it stalled. Check the coolant level by opening the radiator cap. Do this when cold.

If the plugs are that worn the engine will not run very well. Replace them. I would also suggest new wires.

You don't need to remove the wire holder. The wires just come right out.