91 PA still stalls

I'm beginning to think that obtaining this 91 PA was a huge mistake --thought I was getting a deal -- but the thing has given me nothing but problems.

I had posted a message here a couple of weeks ago because my PA would idle, but when I put it in drive it would stall, so long as I wasn't revving it (i.e. it could stall at 45 mph if my foot wasn't on the accelerator). After stalling, it is a major deal to get it started again. Typically, if I wait a few minutes it will start with great difficulty, and then if I don't rev it, it will stall again. Someone kindly replied to my post and suggested that I check the IAC valve....I have now replaced it. The car ran okay for about 1 day, and I thought the problem was solved. The next day (today) it began stalling again, even worse than before. Now it's to the point that I don't know if I can get it to the garage without having it towed.

Initially, when it is started in the morning it will idle for a while. But the 'service engine soon' light comes on, and the temperature guage light flickers (even though the temperature reading is fine). The engine acts like it doesn't get any fuel. I'm beside myself. I'd really like to fix this car myself, because I don't have the bucks for an expensive fix. Does anyone have any suggestions to spare this car from the junkyard? :)

I would appreciate any help.

Thanks
cn

Since the Check Engine Light is coming on, it would be a good idea to get the malfunction code(s) that are stored in the computer. The bad idle could just be a side effect of the real problem. My car acted up simularly when I purposely disconnected a cooling fan relay.

See Link for procedure and code meanings: http://www.geocities.com/dann8785/serviceenginesoon.html

The connector mentioned is located under/behind the ash tray. You simply jump a wire between the two slots and turn the ignition to on (don't start the car). The EMC goes into diagnostic mode and outputs any fault codes it has seen. BEWARE: There is also a procedure to reset the EMC fault codes by disconnecting the battery for 30 seconds. You may not want to do this if your PA has the security key option. Your key will no longer start the car until the security feature is reprogrammed.

Thanks a lot. This should be very informative...

i would reset the ECM, see if that helps, If not and you get random codes, the ECM could have an issue itself. But with the idling issue i would suspectthe IAC valve..

check the obvious first.-fuel pressure. there is a pressure relief valve on top of the engine by the intake. looks like a schrader valve. press it in a little, but be careful, not to get any gas on a hot exhaust. if you press it in and fuel starts coming out under high pressure, you got fuel and pressure and the problem is elsewhere. if not you might have a problem with the fuel pump.