1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass Extreem low power in hot weather

Has the check engine light come on?

The check engine light does not come on when I'm having the low power problem during warmup. It has come on occasionally when driving at highway speeds (70+) for more than 15-20 miles, and goes off as soon as I slow down. The engine seems to be running fine at that time.

Have you had the computer scanned?

I have not had the computer scanned. Is that something a dealer shop would do?

A dealer can do it, but they will charge you for it. I recommend taking it to a nationally recognized parts store and have them do it. Most will do it for free, and you'll get the same information.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

None of the parts stores in town have the ability to scan a computer older than '96 model. I called Hitek Repair and they will run a diagnostic for $89, but thought it should be done at a time that the problem is occuring, which probably means in the heat of next summer. It may be worth trying it now anyway. Any other ideas?

Check under the dash facing you for a plug with several pins in it. If I remember correctly, there are two pins you cross to get the codes. I believe you can do it with a paper clip and the check engine light will flash the code. Let me know what you find and I will check into it on my end.

With the ignition switch on, but the engine not running, I shorted the right two pins of the top row of the Diagnostic connector. the Service Engine light flashed once, then twice, and repeted the patern 3 times. I would interpret this a a code 12. I also heard a sound like a small fan running while the pins were connected. Connecting other pin combinations did not have any effect.

Did you jump A and B?

I do not know the letter designations, but I jumped the last two terminals on the right hand end of the top row.

Code 12 is "No RPM reference Pulse." This is normal without the engine not running.

I hate to keep asking questions, but has the catylatic converter been checked to see if it is plugged?

The catylatic converter has not been checked, but wouldn't a plugged converter cause performance problems all the time, not just during warm-up in hot weather?

One would think so. The only other thing I can think of to check is the temp sensor. Without a code, it makes it hard.

Based on your suggestion of a temp sensor problem, I found and an article on the internet by Mark Davidson titled "Diagnosing Problems Related to the Coolent Temperature Sensor", and it makes sense to me. If on a very hot day, the sensor is telling the computer that the engine is warmed up when it really isn't, that could cause the engine to run very poorly until it actually does get warmed up. I don't even know where the temp sensor is located or if I would be up to changing it, but at least it gives me something to persue. Thanks for your help. I will post a donation.

What size engine is it? The temp sensor should be near the t-stat housing, but I will need the engine size to determine where it is.

It's the 3.3 v6. I looked and saw a 2-wire device screwed into the block just below the alternator, near where the upper radiator hose enters. It looks like it would be easy to change.

It's worth a try.