88 Type T Stalls in hot weather

[1534dover]

Once again, we come to you folks for help. We've discussed this auto before.
We got it up and running last year. My daughter has it in Portland. Here is her description of what happens:
"Basically what is happening is that when I am stopped at a traffic light, or when I pull into a parking space, or sometimes right after I start up the car - it dies. It is very silent when it dies - it basically just stops. It doesn't happen everytime, and I'm not 100 percent sure what circumstances cause the car to stop. It always starts right back up again, although it has stalled again right after starting it back up. Like I said, it doesn't happen everytime - maybe 20% of the time. Lots of stop and go traffic seems to make the problem worse. It doesn't stall while I'm driving (knock on wood).

The "service engine soon" light was coming on intermittently before the fuel filter/oil change - but it is on constantly now."

[maxwedge]

Originally Posted by 1534dover

Once again, we come to you folks for help. We've discussed this auto before.
We got it up and running last year. My daughter has it in Portland. Here is her description of what happens:
"Basically what is happening is that when I am stopped at a traffic light, or when I pull into a parking space, or sometimes right after I start up the car - it dies. It is very silent when it dies - it basically just stops. It doesn't happen everytime, and I'm not 100 percent sure what circumstances cause the car to stop. It always starts right back up again, although it has stalled again right after starting it back up. Like I said, it doesn't happen everytime - maybe 20% of the time. Lots of stop and go traffic seems to make the problem worse. It doesn't stall while I'm driving (knock on wood).

The "service engine soon" light was coming on intermittently before the fuel filter/oil change - but it is on constantly now."

Before any advice or anything is done, get the code and post back the results.

[1534dover]

There are so many codes and problems we have decided to abandon the vehicle. It had 140,000 miles on it when I bought it back in 1997 for $3,995. We doubled that to 240,000, so its been in the family for nine years. It still looks good on the outside, so maybe it can provide parts or someone with a lot of time and a fair amount of ability will pay a couple hundred for it. Thanks for thinking about it.

[Alibi]

Nooooo! Don't abandon a T! T's are so insanely rare to find these days, especially an electra T...

If anything, go to http://www.lesabret.com and try to register (I've been having problems with that myself) and see about selling it there.

These cars really aren't that hard or expensive to fix in comparision to anything new (as long as it isn't a T-Type specific part). 3/4 of the parts are identical to those on olds 88's, pontiac bonnevilles, and buick lesabres of the same vintage--especially engine and chassis parts.

My philosophy is that I would rather keep fixing an old car because I will know what has been repaired and what hasn't...that and any other car you buy you'll just have to go through more repairs anyway.

Ultimately, it is your choice...but the odds of someone knowing what it is and buying it is minimal (unless you live close to one of the guys on LesabreT.com)...and in that case it would probably go to the crusher...a loss of a unique car

[Alibi]

crap. Lesabret is down right now...I'm guessing server maintenaince.

It is a coupe right? If not...then I just vented for nothing....

[1534dover]

We sold the car for $100.00 and replaced it with a 91 Geo Prizm with a mere 90,000. Our Type T Electra was more in the Park Avenue class, a 4 door. The purchaser will be able to get his money out of it one way or the other, but it needed: a new radiator, new battery, brake jobs front and rear, windshield wiper switch, leaking windshield repair, work tracing errant wiring, air conditioner conversion, transmission service, motor mounts, just to name a few things we know about. Body still looks good, though.

[Alibi]

Ahh...not the uber rare two door then...

It's just my packrat instinct...

[kok328]

I agree with Alibi, I'd rather deal with a car that I've had for awhile and know what you have versus buying someone else's problems.

In the long run, you'll be sorry, a Geo is a POS and hard as heck to work on.