Here is the problem, I just bought the car from a questionable source but nvmd that. It ran fine for two days, then it rained. I installed an amplifier in the trunk hooking the (-) ground from the amp to the ground that is already on the trunk hinge. I did NOT hook the (+) up to the battery yet because it is a side mount hookup and I needed a top mount terminal to connect the cable. (Lucky it was a dual mount battery) On my way to the auto parts store the car started to sputter a little like it wasnt getting enough fuel. I pulled into the parking lot, putting the car in park, and it sounded like it was missing. NO dings, pings or backfires - - it was more like I was running out of gas. I pushed the gas pedal and the car died. It started up again but when I put it in gear, it would die. I kept trying to keep it running but it would keep dieing. Eventually it wouldnt start at all. It would turn over, it had spark, and it had gas but wouldnt start. After trying to start it for about ten minutes, I turned the key into the "on" position, you know so the radio and lights come on, and I heard a sound like water running. I figure it was the fuel pump kicking in and bam! Started right up. It ran fine for awhile but later that same day it started to stall again.


Here's what I figure:

1. The moisture from the rain got into the dist. cap making it not start.
2. The fuel pump is faulty, or maybe the transfer pump.
3. Dirty fuel filter.
4. Bad fuel.

Im in no way a mechanic, but Im not a moron either. I have read many posts about 94 - 96 caprices not starting because of moisture, fuel pumps, bad relays, etc...but Im not sure where to start and replacing everything sounds good in theory, it isnt really an option.

What is most likely the cause of my problem, if you dont know, please give me a list of ALL things that would make it stall while idling then not start for a couple minutes?

Any help would be appreciated....Thanks 0nly

After trying to start it for about ten minutes, I turned the key into the "on" position, you know so the radio and lights come on, and I heard a sound like water running. I figure it was the fuel pump kicking in and bam! Started right up. It ran fine for awhile but later that same day it started to stall again.
when you say it started up, im sure you mean that you had to crank it first right?

i think that the rain is probly the cause, the most likely one at least.

is it possible that in hooking up the amp, or speakers, you may have messed with the ground. is it possible that when you hooked the ground up and the hinges got wet it shorted out the whole electrical system. i would disconnect the amp and restore the whole electrical system to the way it was and try it again. it may help to dry the car off in the places you suspect a ground connects.


as for the bad fuel idea, its not likely unless somehow water got into the tank when it rained

fuel filters tend to degrade performance slowly untill the gar is deathly slow, they dont just up and clog, unless that is something clogged it that was in the tank

i cant help you with the other two, but i would make sure that you are getting a spark, fuel and air.
good luck

p.s.
if you shorted out the cars electrical system, the computer could be in trouble

Its been two days.....no problems, I also filled the tank. But when I hooked up the neg(-) to the trunk ground, I didnt hook up the pos(+) to the battery. So the ground shouldnt be the problem since it wasnt grounding the amp yet. Im thinking that the rain is the issue, causing moisture in the dist. cap. I guess I wont really know until it rains again. Thanks for the reply.



Anyone know how to fix the window tracks? Every time I roll up and down the window (power) it falls off track and sits at an angle. I havent bothered to take the panel off yet to look at it but I was wondering how difficult the job would be.

Its been two days.....no problems, I also filled the tank. But when I hooked up the neg(-) to the trunk ground, I didnt hook up the pos(+) to the battery. So the ground shouldnt be the problem since it wasnt grounding the amp yet. Im thinking that the rain is the issue, causing moisture in the dist. cap. I guess I wont really know until it rains again. Thanks for the reply.



Anyone know how to fix the window tracks? Every time I roll up and down the window (power) it falls off track and sits at an angle. I havent bothered to take the panel off yet to look at it but I was wondering how difficult the job would be.

The Optispark distributors sometimes were sucseptible to the rain issue, that might be your problem. As for the window, what you will need is what's called a "window guide", a plastic clip that clips to a hole in the side of the window, toward the back and near the top. This guide has shoulders on both sides that latch into a stainless steel track in the inner weatherstripping. My suggestion is go to to a GM Goodwrench dealer and pick some of these up - they're like $2 each and handy to have when one breaks.

New update: Did it again. No rain this time though. Went to wal-mart and when I was leaving it didnt want to start. I cranked and cranked it. No start. It sounded like it wanted to and even did for about 1/2 a second before sputtering off. Now I know its not the rain. Im gonna try to unhook the stereo and see how it works. I really dont think that is the problem though, I have hooked up plenty of stereos and nothing like this has ever happend. Finally I just got pissed and slammed the pedal to the floor and it started. Should I replace the plugs, wires and dist cap? More than likely but what might another problem be considering it runs fine once it is started. If the dist cap wires and plugs where faulty it wouldnt run correctly dont you think? It runs fine, just dont start. We'll see what happends but just let me know of some other problems that could cause this.

I know there are three main things a car needs to start. Fuel, Spark, and Air Flow. So I check the air filter. Looks like rust on the backside, and a bunch of debris inside the compartment. I mean a BUNCH, like a pocket full of grass, dirt, rocks and whatever else you might think. Needless to say, I replaced the air filter and it seems to be starting fine. We'll see.

I fixed the window. Easy. I went to a glass specialist shop, where they do car windows and I bought 2 plastic pieces for $2.75 each. (Both rear windows were slipping off track.) It wasnt the "window guide" that you can find at your local auto parts store, it was the track slide at the bottom of the glass. Anyway with a phillips screwdriver, needle nose pliers and a 1 1/2" c-clamp, with a small piece of wood to distribute the pressure, I managed to get both working correctly. I might add that I broke a couple of the plastic clips that hold the molding onto the door, and I knew I would, so I bought 15 extra.

As for the starting problem. It seems like to me that it was the air filter. Since Ive changed it, Ive driven all over and it starts up fine. I have a Haynes Manual for an '89 Town Car with a troubleshooting section. Wouldnt you know it, the first symptom of "Having trouble starting the car while hot" was a dirty air filter.

Every question has an answer every problem a solution, you just have to know where to look. Thanks for the help.

I fixed the window. Easy. I went to a glass specialist shop, where they do car windows and I bought 2 plastic pieces for $2.75 each. (Both rear windows were slipping off track.) It wasnt the "window guide" that you can find at your local auto parts store, it was the track slide at the bottom of the glass. Anyway with a phillips screwdriver, needle nose pliers and a 1 1/2" c-clamp, with a small piece of wood to distribute the pressure, I managed to get both working correctly. I might add that I broke a couple of the plastic clips that hold the molding onto the door, and I knew I would, so I bought 15 extra.

As for the starting problem. It seems like to me that it was the air filter. Since Ive changed it, Ive driven all over and it starts up fine. I have a Haynes Manual for an '89 Town Car with a troubleshooting section. Wouldnt you know it, the first symptom of "Having trouble starting the car while hot" was a dirty air filter.

Every question has an answer every problem a solution, you just have to know where to look. Thanks for the help.

Actually, the window guides at the auto parts places such as Autozone and Pep Boys, do not work well on any car (personal experience here) and that's why I told you to go to a GM dealership. :) That's alright, I'll overlook it for now.