Poor idle then stalls out HELP ME!

[GrandAmGTTT]

I have a 99 grand am with the 3400 v6. I have all bolts on without a tune. Car ran fine up till now. I start the car and it immediatly idles very lumpy and eventully dies out unless i pump the pedal here and there when needed. Putting it into drive at this point completly stalls the motor out. Its not until the engine is warm and has been ran well on and off as it stalls out, that it begins to make power to drive. However idle is still very rough. This car has 176k on it without ever changing the fuel filter. I'm thinking this is the culprit. I put new plugs and wires on already and that was not the issue. I also replaced my battery bc the terminals were all worn and would wiggle out of position cutting power to the whole car. Any ideas as to whats going on?

[bszopi]

This car has 176k on it without ever changing the fuel filter. I'm thinking this is the culprit. ....[snip].... Any ideas as to whats going on?

Didn't you already answer your question? Even if its not the culprit, its like a $10 piece of mind. Change it and go from there.

[GrandAmGTTT]

Ya i'm gonna attempt to change it. Seems that changing the fuel filter on a 99 is no simple task. Seeing that mine has been on for so long and i have already tried to years ago but gave up bc nothing would budge.

[robertisaar]

i've made it about as far on a factory filter, but it certainly is worth changing.

[bszopi]

Just remember, lots and lots of penetrating spray. Spray it a whole bunch one morning, then again in the evening, and then again the next day when you go to change it.

[GrandAmGTTT]

Just remember, lots and lots of penetrating spray. Spray it a whole bunch one morning, then again in the evening, and then again the next day when you go to change it.

K thanks for the tip, i'm going to attempt this tonight. Had to have my wife take me to work in her car today. I also work tomorrow so hopefully i can get it off tonight when i get off work. I will update later whether or not i am sucessful

[GrandAmGTTT]

K thanks for the tip, i'm going to attempt this tonight. Had to have my wife take me to work in her car today. I also work tomorrow so hopefully i can get it off tonight when i get off work. I will update later whether or not i am sucessful

K I changed the fuel filter and still does the same thing. I also put in a different PCM and same thing again. This is driving me nuts that it all of a sudden started doing this. I drove it to work and on the way home it did this, luckily i made it back. So now what do i do from here besides try to find a new car...Also the trouble code i found was p1189 which is engine oil pressure switch circuit.

K another update: Car runs fine/normal when at running temp. However when the engine is cold it misfires badly and has a hard time running.

[Schmieder]

K I changed the fuel filter and still does the same thing. I also put in a different PCM and same thing again. This is driving me nuts that it all of a sudden started doing this. I drove it to work and on the way home it did this, luckily i made it back. So now what do i do from here besides try to find a new car...Also the trouble code i found was p1189 which is engine oil pressure switch circuit.

K another update: Car runs fine/normal when at running temp. However when the engine is cold it misfires badly and has a hard time running.

Try replacing engine oil pressure switch. Front of engine bay, under exhaust, above the starter region.

Try getting MAF Cleaner spray and clean the MAF signal wires (if you have a MAF sensor). It sounds like you are running TOO rich...(rough idle until warm) as the PCM can command up to 10:1 AFR during really cold starts. A dirty MAF can simulate constant higher airflow if coated with junk/oils. Which in turn the PCM will command more fuel THINKING so much air is being injested. In this case, pushes you to be far too rich and will sputter until the O2 is used in closed loop.

Also, the NBO2 will correct an over rich condition but that won't happen until the vehicle commands closed loop, which requires a warm up first in open loop.

Did you use an oiled filter recently? If so, clean the MAF and stay away from cheap oiled filters.

Also check your IAT sensor.

You may want to replace the fuel pump VERY soon. Typically, when a very old fuel filter gets replaced the fuel pump dies a week or so later. ONLY IF the filter was plugged up or really restrictive, which is likely at that age.