25th Jul 2007, 13:29

OK I also own a 1997 oldsmobile achieva 2.4 quad 4. For those of you that have experienced the lean codes, and horrible acceleration check the map sensor. I just had this problem where the car would puck out black smoke and not accelerate. The map sensor was the problem, it is the sensor that controls the ratio of air pressure and tells the computer how much gas needs to be pumped into the engine. When the sensor went bad it was telling the computer to dump more gas into the engine then needed to be. Reason for the black smoke. So there you go check the map sensor!!!

5th Aug 2007, 04:28

How many times is the same person going to post here? we get it... you had problems with the quad 4 engine. the V-6 engine is the better choice in any of the small and mid sized GM cars. very little research on this site would tell you that. I owned a '94 achieva with the 3100SFI V-6 and it was excellent. good power, good economy. the interior was a bit cheap, but was comfortable and user friendly. compared to other used cars I've had it was average for a used GM. regular maintenance is the big key. fix small things when they are small and don't buy a car that has been abused. that's common sense.

16th Jul 2008, 13:58

I bought a 97 Olds Achieva as a demo car in 97 with 12,000 miles. on it. I have had no major trouble, just regular maintenance.

It just rolled 70,000 miles. and would not start for me 3 days ago. I had it towed in to my cousin's garage, (he owns the repair shop) and he said that the computer had to be reset, and if it did that again, to put the ignition to the on position and let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes, and the computer would reset itself. If not I would have to take it to the dealership and it would be big money.

I love my driftwood Olds. Olds are all I have ever had. Would someone kindly tell me what it would cost to have the computer system replaced? My cousin said it had something to do with the security system? Hoping to hear from someone soon.

Thanks, Donna.

18th Oct 2008, 10:34

I bought my daughter this 1997 Olds Achieva last November. Since then we have replaced the alternator for about $85.00,and replaced the right side axle seal twice.

I was told by the mechanic, that the water pump needs replacing. I hear this can be very costly and extremely hard to fix. My mechanic says that the labor alone is about $400.00 dollars, also you need to replace a few gaskets.

I was told when I first bought this car, that the engine would give me problems, I guess he was right.

2nd May 2009, 22:09

I just got this car as a hand-me-down from a person in my family that's had it since forever. It runs better than any car either of us has ever had, and has outlasted every single one of my mother's cars.

I love it, even if it is the biggest, ugliest hunk of metal on God's green Earth.

31st Aug 2010, 09:43

I have a 1997 Olds Achieva 2.4. The idle is fast. How can this be slowed down? Thank you.

10th Sep 2010, 16:46

I too have a 97 Olds Achieva 2.4 liter, and it has been a good car. I have almost 200k on it, and am running into normal issues like the radiator, A/C, and my CV joints... Overall it's a great car with great gas mileage.

17th Oct 2010, 09:29

This car is junk. I bought one for my wife a few months ago from "a little old lady" who drove it to church and the store. Being a mechanic by trade, I did the usual checks and found no problems.

After replacing some A/C lines, instrument cluster, alternator, I am still plagued by the fact that the car will not start on a whim, and is currently sitting at a Cracker Barrel after dumping another $250.00 in repairs. Come Monday morning, I am rolling this disgrace to the human eye into the Ohio and buy a good FORD. No wonder GM went belly up.