Whats Wrong?

[85fierogirl]

okay...so yesterday I was driving along and went to slow down and my car died, then about a half hour later I was driving again and it died again ....I started it back up and it died when I put it in drive, I did this a couple times and gave up and pushed it into the gas station! When I went to go and look at it the battery was dead so I went and got a new one. After that it started right up but every once in a while it dies again what is causing this?


okay so I just bought this car its a 85 SE Automatic with the 2.8 and I have just having problems lol not only is it dying but it is ilding funny like 200 rpm and dying or it will drop down and shoot up to like 1500 trying to keep it's self running!

[MrPbody]

Fierogirl,

It sounds like a fuel problem. It's possible it's electronic as well.
Check the obvious stuff first. Fuel filter, air cleaner, etc.
I would add a can of "Seafoam" injector cleaner. You can get it at most NAPA stores. It is absolutely the best of the in-tank cleaners I've ever seen.
If that doesn't make a difference, you may need some diagnostics. That will require you to find a trustworthy shop experienced in mid-'80s GM cars.
It's not prudent to just "throw parts at it", hoping to find the culprit. Ask the shop what a diagnostic session costs. It should be about one hour labor. It would include a "scope" and a "scanner" test.
Good luck, and please post what you find.

Jim

[Old Lar]

It could be the ignition module over heating. It is under the distributor cap. Use an AC Delco one, not an off market one, which are more prone to failure.

The module is held in place with two screws. Coat the metal base with a light coat of heat sink grease (important).

Fuel issues could be a fuel filter.

[ctesla]

MrP and Lar might be on the right track,
but when you also mention idle issues, it could be a MAP sensor or a TPS (throttle position sensor).
I still agree by trying to pinpoint your anomaly and not keep buying parts not needed. the ingition module (Lar mentioned), and the ones I brought up as common items that need swapping after many miles of under heat temps, can be tested at your local parts store.
MrP suggests "the obvious stuff", and since this was a new purchase, if you have no records from the previous owner, odds are it is time for maintenance: oil, filters, PCV, plugs, etc. (even spraying some carb cleaner down the throat of the intake)
$60. US Dollars in parts, and some driveway maintenance and your only running problem may be the rising cost of gas (fortunately our little Pegasus' get 25-35mpg).
...but after all regular services, as P suggests, some scope time is under $100; even at dealerships and will isolate your issue.

hope this helps,
chris
nrt racing

[palaima1]

could also be distributor pick up coil

[palaima1]

one other item...is the check engine light comming on? if so you can short the A7B pins and it will flash with the stored codes...the first three times will be a code 12 (1 flash pause 2 flashes) this shows the diagnostics are working properly (code 12 will flash 3 times then any stored codes will flash)

[palaima1]

that's the A and B pins (service connector is located behind the cigarette trim plate on the console)

[Ragtop_Renegade]

Something nobody's mentioned yet... it's possible the torque converter clutch is sticking when you slow down from higher speeds. This locks the engine to the transmission, with no means of "slip", causing it to stall.

The wacky idle could be any number of electrical things already listed above, or it could be mechanical, such as a leaky valve or bad hydraulic lifter. For those unfamiliar with troubleshooting drivabillity issues, it might be best to take this one to a shop.

[grizzer]

Originally Posted by 85fierogirl

okay...so yesterday I was driving along and went to slow down and my car died, then about a half hour later I was driving again and it died again ....I started it back up and it died when I put it in drive, I did this a couple times and gave up and pushed it into the gas station! When I went to go and look at it the battery was dead so I went and got a new one. After that it started right up but every once in a while it dies again what is causing this?


okay so I just bought this car its a 85 SE Automatic with the 2.8 and I have just having problems lol not only is it dying but it is ilding funny like 200 rpm and dying or it will drop down and shoot up to like 1500 trying to keep it's self running!

I noticed you said the battery was dead. Have you tried having the alternator and or voltage reg. checked? If either one is not putting out correct volts/amps the battery can die and the car will stall. Maybe it could be that simple?!?
Good luck and hope you find your true problem