Hello im new to the site and new to the olds life. This is my first oldsmobile. It is a 94 cutles/sl with 130,000 miles on it . The motor is the 3.1 6 cyclinder. When I drive it it starts great every time but when ever I pull up to a stop the rpm drop off then just dies. It restarts but if I dont keep the revs up myself it stops running. Some days i can drive with no problem . I am trying to figure out what I can do to fix my problems with it , I have only had it a short time so this is nothing I am used to. The car has an automatic trans in it. On my searches through the forums I read that it might have something with the overdrive not shiftimg down quick enough . Yhe shift selector has the D 3 2 1 marks on it, is D the correct selection or is 3 a better choice around town? I am disabled and live on a fixed income so this car was a heavy slice of my income . I'm hoping I didnt throw my money down the drain. Any help would be very much appreciated . Thanks for your time

I'm thinking idle control valve, or possible vacuum leak.

Thanks for the info, I will look into it and see what I can find. My biggest problem right now is I have no info on the engine layout as to find what part is located where on the motor. I have been going through the web trying to find good pictures and diagrams it is not easy to find ones that I can use.. I hope to buy a service manual next pay day.
Thank you, Gary r

Has the battery, been disconnected, or jumped because it died?

If yes, then you might need an idle learn procedure.....

If not, then as suggested, the the IAC pintle and passageway should be cleaned, along with the throttle plate and bore, of the throttle body.....then the battery should be disconnected for a few minutes, and then an idle learn procedure should be done....

Thanks for the info , I am going under the hood tomorrow and see what I can find and will use your suggestions as a starting point.. thanks again for your knowledge and time. Also as far as I know the battery has not been disconnected. My info is very short term as I have only had the car about 2 weeks , thanks again, Gary r .

Here is the location of your intake air control (IAC) Clean throttle body while there as well.

How to Clean it: https://www.gmforum.com/normal-maint...800-v6-307092/
Often vacuum lines may be cracked, so inspection, and making sure lines are connected properly is important.
When you buy a used car highly recommended that you have a load test performed to the battery & know your charging voltage using a VOM.
Next is a full tune up, like spark plugs, wires, fuel filter etc..

Thanks for the photos and info . This will help me a lot . I will see what I can do today . I have some good starting points to check out and with any luck I will have my car happy again. Thanks, gary r

Hello, I am trying to go through and check everything that my fellow members have suggested on my motor. A big problem I have run into is my hands are to big to get in some of the places I need to check. Also do any of you have a diagram with the vacuum lines and routing. The stickers under my hood are unreadable. Again thank you to all who have given me advice and to any future help. gary r

Vacuum routing can be found here:


| Repair Guides | Vacuum Diagrams | Vacuum Diagrams | AutoZone.com

I have another question on my car. When removing the vacuum lines from the throttle body are they a press fit? I don't want to yank on one of them and crack or break a fitting or the hard plastic line itself.. I want to thank everyone who has offered help . I am disabled so this is taking me a while to repair. I dont want to cause any other damage trying to fix the original problem. Also are there any picture guides to show removing and cleaning the throttle body?