20 Most Recent 1996 Oldsmobile Achieva Questions & Answers

You need a special tool.

the coil pack on the four cylinder is located under the metal cover on top of the engine. There are four bolts and one large connector on the drivers side. Once the cover is removed you will see the ignition coil housing, also common to fail. You will need to remove the housing to access the 2 coils. on the 6 cylinder the coils are mounted to a bracket near the back of the engine. Pretty easy to spot if you follow the spark plug wire to it. I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jeremy_d728a59f986299fa

locate the A/C lines along the passenger side that go from the condenser to the firewall. the low side port is smaller than the high side port. you have to look at the ports to see the difference is size and they each should have a cap screwed on them to keep dirt out of port.

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It sure can. If the car can't breathe, it can't run. The backfiring can be caused by a pressure uncertainty. You did not hear this from me, but if you can run JUST the muffler, not the cat, AKA straightpiping, you will let your car breathe just a bit more. You might try this to see if it helps any at all. (I hope you do not live in Cali, as I suggest you not try this if you do.)

Yes or the run relay. Hold the palm of your hand over them all. You'll feel it tick when you turn the key to start. Swap it out $15 or less

Try testing both the camshaft and crankshaft position sensors.Usually it turns out to be the camshaft sensor.No signal equals no spark and no start.

it should set a code,if bad.

if that elbow is very low on the firewall it is a condensation drain for A/C if coolant pours out of there I believe your heater core may be leaking. Do you smell coolant in the cabin? feel free to reply, I should be around most of the day...MK

You may have a key that has a transponder hidden in the plastic key head. If the security light is on, that means that you DO have an antitheft feature that is not working properly and is most likely causing your problems. Take a look at this link, it explains the security issue and some symptoms. Along with some DO IT YOURSELF solutions.

http://vatspasslockpasskeysecurityhelp.yolasite.com/

Here is what you do, but only when the SECURITY light flashes - if it is always ON or OFF it's no use.
Turn the key in the ignition to ON.
Wait for exactly 10 minutes ( SECURITY light will flash for 10 minutes and then stay on SOLID)
Turn the key to OFF
Wait 5 seconds.
Turn the key in the ignition to ON.
Wait for exactly 10 minutes.
Turn the key to OFF
Wait 5 seconds.
Turn the key in the ignition to ON.
Wait for exactly 10 minutes.
Turn the ignition OFF.

Start the car normally.
It has relearnt the keycode and you're good to go.
NOTICE - it takes 30 minutes to relearn, that's THREE cycles of ON - 10 minutes - OFF.

Good luck.

Check the dipstick and see if it looks milky, sounds like you may have a cracked head or blown head gasket. good luck