1995 Oldsmobile Aurora from North America - Comments

We just invested $1300 in getting our '95 Aurora "ship-shape." It looked and ran beautifully for 4 weeks. A pleasure to drive. After (a young family member) left it idle in friend's driveway with vehicle front over moist green short grass), said driver returned to find the grass beneath the car in flames. Not convinced it was catalytic converter and the fuel rail was replaced with stainless steel. Anyway, while the fire was quickly extinguished, everything under the hood is 'melted.' Driver had just filled the car with premium gas the night before (another $55!) and yes, said driver did mention he smelled some gas the night before as well. OK, inexperienced, irresponsible driver to leave car idling! Basically a total loss. The car exterior and cabin still look great. Any suggestions as to why this happened and how to approach a salvage value?

"OK, inexperienced, irresponsible driver to leave car idling!"

I'm 67 years old and have over 40 years of driving experience, I let my cars idle all the time here in the New England winters. I think you just had a crap car or you replaced the fuel lines incorrectly.

95 Aurora, 87k.

Multiple symptoms such as stalls then restarts easily, stalls at speed then starts easily. This was after installing crank sensors, ignition module, coil set, O2 sensors, EGR, spark plugs.

Things got worse incrementally like climate controls did not respond, radiator fans turn on when the key to start is turned to first position. I checked most grounds and cleaned them. Battery is good.

Fuel pressure regulator replaced to fix earlier odd start that felt like the engine fluttered up to run. Now tranny clunks into reverse or drive. Service engine soon light is on. BTW, the EGR can be cleaned carefully if carbon is binding the pintle from moving smoothly. Try dental tools.

One guys post says the voltage regulators inside the ECM are allowing extra juice thru the systems and confusing them. Match up the #'s found on the ECM, go to the junk yard or aftermarket source, and everything will turnaround normal... Mine did... exception: one or more of the tranny solenoids need a scan and probable replacement... I paid 40 dollars for a used, says GM rebuilt ECM out of a wrecked 95 at the junk yard... Good Luck.

The problem of headlights (and taillights) flashing ON and OFF after you turn the car OFF often turns out to be a BAD or DIRTY "Multi-Function Switch," which is the black plastic stalk on the LEFT side of the steering column used to turn on headlamps and to turn on cruise control. My family had the same problem in 2006 on a 1998 Aurora at about 30,000 miles. It cost about $600 at a GM dealer, but we paid $0 as we had EXTENDED Warranty COVERAGE. The Aurora forum over at Edmunds has many posts about it. --- Otto in NJ.