Automatic transmission , miles Biggest problem with Alero is running into stupid, incompetent, and thieving dealers and mechanics who "fix" problems by replacing perfectly good parts.
Had the same problem with my 99 Alero. About three weeks ago Mar it would start and immediately stop when the ignition key was released.
On this 3. Problem was solved by adjusting idle throttle cable length with the throttle cable length adjuster which is a little black box about the size of last section on your pinky finger which sits a few inches back from the throttle body on the cable itself. I'm talking about the front cable. There are two cables and the second one works off the accelerator which shouldn't need any adjusting ever well maybe in a thousand years.
Anyway, by lifting a clip on the left side of the little adjuster I was able to pull the cable back probably just a hundredth of an inch I then pushed the clip back down to lock the adjuster in place - in essence shortening the cable. Did the trick. I think the explanation is that the engine is 9 years old and the idle cable has stretched in that amount of time and usage. Therefore, if the cable has stretched even the slightest, the cable is not putting enough tension on the throttle to keep it open long enough till the engine warms up.
I think this problem is the reason why the Olds engineers put this device on the throttle cables. These cables are found on the top of the engine and are right there in the open and can be seen as soon as you lift the hood. The very ends of the throttle cables are exposed and look silvery. They run to the back of the engine and down to the transmission and are sheathed mostly in a black protective tube.
