culass cutting out

[Richard S]

I have 1984 cutlass supreme brougham. 3.8 liter engine. It drives fine until it reaches operating temp. It then starts cutting out. I have changed the fuel filter, spark plugs, plug wire, rotor, distributor cap. I have checked timing, decal under hood says to set at 15 degree BTDC with 4 wires from dist disconnected. Dead on 15 degree. I checked compression just to be sure. It is about 140 psi on each cylinder. None of this has seemed to help. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[maxwedge]

When does this happen, does it start right up, lots of info missing.

[Richard S]

Starts right up. Everything is normal until it reaches operating temp, then starts to cut out. Thinking I may have an ignition coil breaking down when engine reaches operating temp. Not sure, coil checks out good when engine is cold. Could ignition module do that or do they usually just die. If so is there a way to test module. Never does stall to where it dies. Idles smooth all the time. It's only under load.

[maxwedge]

This sounds like a fuel issue, that early computer controlled carb can problematic, also has a fuel filter in the carb inlet fitting. Loss of power under load is usually fuel related.

[Richard S]

May well be. I put it all back together tonight and took for a drive. First time check engine light has come on. On when cold and then reached operating temp and went out. Ran scanner on it and system passed. I think I have a computer problem, which would lead to carb problem since its controlled by computer.

[Richard S]

Changed computer today and drove. Drove like new car. No problems:
Thanks for the help.