89 GA stalls when putting into gear. Sat for 6 yrs.

[kirk55]

I just got my license and an uncle gave me his old GA (only 80K miles) that had been sitting for 6 yrs because it quit working one day and he has been tinkering with it on and off. He changed the ECM and crank position sensor during that time but still didn't fix it. His original problem was that the engine would cut out on him on the highway and then it would restart after letting it sit for 5 minutes. Finally it would not restart reliably and he bought another car and made this GA his "short term project". 6 years later......

It is an 89 GA LE 2.3 Quad 4 VIN D, manual tranny (won't find too many of those). He thought it had some fuel problem and figured it was the fuel pump and gave me one that he bought new (saved me 60 bucks). I dropped the tank, dumped the 6 yr old gas and replaced the pump and wiring harness. Changed the oil/filter. Replaced the gas filter, put in a new battery, gassed it up (2 bucks more per gal than the 6yr vintage) and it starts but runs rough, wants to stall. Revved it up put into gear and it stalls dead. Revved it to 3-4K RPM and played with the clutch to get it rolling, put into gear and it stalls. Any suggestions? Someone told me to put in some Tekron ($$$). Anything else I should look for? By the way the alternator does not seem to be charging the battery as I have to hook up a charger after a while of starting and fast idling. Can I fix this 2nd problem later?

[xeroinfinity]

did u change the spark plug/wires? 6 yr old plugs definatly need replaced. Try draining the trans fluid and freshen it up with some name brand fluid. I dont know what exact type of fluid your manual has but replacing it wouldnt hurt anything.

[grfnkl]

If you think the altenator isn't charging the battery,you should get a battery light on in the car soon as you start it up, plus since you have the quad 4 engine there should be the voltometer gauge in the instrument cluster, that should be about dead center when the car is running( 12-14 volts), if it's lower then that there maybe a problem with the altenator. Another thing to look into since you say the car runs rough is the coil packs/ ignition module. They can make a car run rough and stall... hopefully this helps you out

[kirk55]

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

did u change the spark plug/wires? 6 yr old plugs definatly need replaced. Try draining the trans fluid and freshen it up with some name brand fluid. I dont know what exact type of fluid your manual has but replacing it wouldnt hurt anything.

Thanks everyone for your input. I will change the spark plugs this weekend and see where the tranny fluid goes. I will also look into the alternator problem.

[xeroinfinity]

i would be sure and change the trany fluid kirk55. It prob needs it after sitting for so long.