Ask Me Help Desk - 95 Buick idles rough when started

I really need a little help. I have a 95 Buick Lesabre with 89,000 miles on it.When I start the car it idles rough the engine light comes on. I wait a few minutes and the car begins to idle normally and runs great although the engine light stays on. Some days the car starts up great and the light never comes on. Never idles bad at stop lights .This morning though as I was turning the corner the car turns off. All the lights come on the dash,the steering was stiff. I pulled over and put it in park and it started right up. Last week my boyfriend changed the gas tank,fuel pump,fuel filter and oil changed. Ran okay for a few days after but now it is up to its old tricks. Any ideas?I think we need to take it to Auto Zone to have the codes read.But it could be so many things I really need some idea of what it may be. Thanks soooo much!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by blammo46703

I really need a little help. I have a 95 Buick Lesabre with 89,000 miles on it.When I start the car it idles rough the engine light comes on. I wait a few minutes and the car begins to idle normally and runs great although the engine light stays on. Some days the car starts up great and the light never comes on. Never idles bad at stop lights .This morning though as I was turning the corner the car turns off. All the lights come on the dash,the steering was stiff. I pulled over and put it in park and it started right up. Last week my boyfriend changed the gas tank,fuel pump,fuel filter and oil changed. Ran okay for a few days after but now it is up to its old tricks. Any ideas?I think we need to take it to Auto Zone to have the codes read.But it could be so many things I really need some idea of what it may be. Thanks soooo much!!!!

You need to go to your nearest parts store and have them run the codes for your car. Here in AZ it's free @ Checker or Auto Zone. What is happening is the computer in your car is pulling certain codes from the chip as to something is wrong with the vehicle. IT sounds like when you had your boyfriend change those things on your vehicle that is corrected the problem but the car's computer never cleared the codes. The Parts store that runs the test for you should be able to tell you what each code is... and why it's saying that. If the codes have anything to do with the repairs you have already done have the person clear the codes.

The car is still idling bad. Will resetting the codes fix that?

Quote:

Originally Posted by blammo46703

The car is still idling bad. Will resetting the codes fix that?

No. Resetting the ECM will only clear the stored codes. If the problem isn't repaired, the code(s) will come back.
Rough idle on cold start is commonly coolant or oil seeping into the combustion chamber. Once the engine warm up, this seepage burns off and the car runs better. The CEL is probably a misfire code.
Is the car using/losing coolant? Or have you noticed excessive oil consumption?

Quote:

Originally Posted by blammo46703

I really need a little help. I have a 95 Buick Lesabre with 89,000 miles on it.When I start the car it idles rough the engine light comes on. I wait a few minutes and the car begins to idle normally and runs great although the engine light stays on. Some days the car starts up great and the light never comes on. Never idles bad at stop lights .This morning though as I was turning the corner the car turns off. All the lights come on the dash,the steering was stiff. I pulled over and put it in park and it started right up. Last week my boyfriend changed the gas tank,fuel pump,fuel filter and oil changed. Ran okay for a few days after but now it is up to its old tricks. Any ideas?I think we need to take it to Auto Zone to have the codes read.But it could be so many things I really need some idea of what it may be. Thanks soooo much!!!!

No it is not using a lot of oil. Had the oil changed not long ago and its fine right where it should be,the coolant is fine to.No strange smells either like anything may be burning off.Could it be the ERG valve or the pvc valve. Also even after I drive it a while then run into the store for a few minutes come back out it may idle rough again. Thanks

If the cylinder head gasket is failing, coolant will seep into the engine when shut off, even for a short time. It will burn off quickly on start-up and probably won't produce and smoking.
I'm not saying that it is a gasket, but you may want to prepare yourself.
It could be a partially sticking injector, too. I'm curious how the symptoms come and go.

Have the codes checked and let us know what you find out. That would be critical info for an accurate diag.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blammo46703

No it is not using alot of oil. Had the oil changed not long ago and its fine right where it should be,the coolant is fine to.No strange smells either like anything may be burning off.Could it be the ERG valve or the pvc valve. Also even after I drive it a while then run into the store for a few minutes come back out it may idle rough again. Thanks

Yes it could be the ERG valve... I recently had to have my dad (the mechanic) decarbonize my car and clean out my ERG valve because it was idling ROUGH. So try getting your car decarbonized and clean the ERG valve out.