87 fiero gt

[refugio]

Here we go again. My Fiero was running okay and it suddenly died. I was going up an expressway enterance when suddenly I heard a sound like if the muffler was clogged. Like when the car has run out of gas. I stopped for about five minutes and tried to start the car again and it did start, but after about five mile it stoppped and it did not start again. Yesterday, I tried turning it on and it did start for about 10 seconds and then died.

These is what I believe either to be the fuel filter or the distributor module. The module is a used one, it is a GM orginal. Also before going into the expressway. I was in a line to cross a bridge for about 30 minutes. The car temperature was pretty high. It smelled like overheating coolant. How hot is it suppose to get? Is it suppose to feel hot inside the car to the point where the heat is uncomfortable to your back? I do not know if this is normal. Also the gauge is not working.

[Old Lar]

Sounds like ignition module a used one can go at any time. The car should run at ~195 or so, but if the gauge doesn't work how is anyone to know?
The car should not get hot inside unless you have the heater on.

Is the Fan working?

[refugio]

Originally Posted by Old Lar

Sounds like ignition module a used one can go at any time. The car should run at ~195 or so, but if the gauge doesn't work how is anyone to know?
The car should not get hot inside unless you have the heater on.

Is the Fan working?

I think your right about the ignition module. I went to get it checked twice in an auto supply store and it did not work. So I am waiting to get a little bit of money so I can go buy it.

The fan is working; it has enough radiator fluid; and it is not leaking any fluid. Question about the fan. Does the fan increase in speed whenthe AC is turn on? And if the AC is not turn on would this be the cause of the car heating up?

What I have notice in some of the internet pictures, is that the exhaust manifold, going by the distributor, is covered with some type of insulation cloth. Would that be a cause of the excessive heat?

Finally how can I find out if the radiator fluid is circulating correctly through the motor?

[Old Lar]

The radiator fan comes on at 195 (the standard tempature sensor) or when the AC is on. It only runs at one speed. You can check fan operation by turning on the AC to see if the fan moves. If is doesn't go on it may be the fan motor, an electric motor that is 18 years old, or the fan relay may be bad.

The EGR tube is what goes by the distributor. Mine still has its insulation on. The exhaust manifolds are not covered, but I think there is a heat heat shield over the crossover pipe and if were absent should not cause excessive heat build up.

The only way I can think of for checking the coolant flow is to open up the fill pipe at the engine and remove the thermostat. Many time an air bubble gets trapped within the cooling system and that may cause some water flow problems. With that open and the car running, you should see coolant flowing there.

The Fiero has a "special" coolant fill procedure, The thermostat fill(at the engine) is higher than the radiator fill neck. So coolent is added at the engine or the overflow tank, not into the radiator cap fill.

Usually if air is present, you may get a spike in temperature on the gauge as the air gets by the temperature sending unit. Lots of air in the system an air pocket may be at the temp sending unit for a while giving high temp readings.

[refugio]

Originally Posted by Old Lar

The radiator fan comes on at 195 (the standard tempature sensor) or when the AC is on. It only runs at one speed. You can check fan operation by turning on the AC to see if the fan moves. If is doesn't go on it may be the fan motor, an electric motor that is 18 years old, or the fan relay may be bad.

The EGR tube is what goes by the distributor. Mine still has its insulation on. The exhaust manifolds are not covered, but I think there is a heat heat shield over the crossover pipe and if were absent should not cause excessive heat build up.

The only way I can think of for checking the coolant flow is to open up the fill pipe at the engine and remove the thermostat. Many time an air bubble gets trapped within the cooling system and that may cause some water flow problems. With that open and the car running, you should see coolant flowing there.

The Fiero has a "special" coolant fill procedure, The thermostat fill(at the engine) is higher than the radiator fill neck. So coolent is added at the engine or the overflow tank, not into the radiator cap fill.

Usually if air is present, you may get a spike in temperature on the gauge as the air gets by the temperature sending unit. Lots of air in the system an air pocket may be at the temp sending unit for a while giving high temp readings.

The fan is working, but is it suppose to start when you put the key forward?

[Old Lar]

Unless the fan is hard wired to run all the time, the fan will run only when the temp reaches 195 or the AC gets turned on. If the AC is on when you turn the key on, the fan will run.

[refugio]

Originally Posted by Old Lar

Unless the fan is hard wired to run all the time, the fan will run only when the temp reaches 195 or the AC gets turned on. If the AC is on when you turn the key on, the fan will run.

Then the fan is hard wired to run all the time in my vehicle. I guess thats another thing to fix. I thought that was normal because I have seen other cars that do the same thing.

The main problem at this time is that the car is not starting. I have an Astro van that works that has the same module so I took that one off and tried turning on the car. The car did not start. I know the module is part of the problem, but it is not all the problem. So I am stuck, I do not know where to go from here. The only other option I can think of is the computer, but if lights, fan, stereo, etc are working can the computer still be the problem?

[Old Lar]

In rereading your first post, you also may have a clogged catalytic converter. (suddenly I heard a sound like if the muffler was clogged).

May also be a bad coil. Any more I carry an extra coil and module with me on road trips for those items seem to go unexpectedly.

If the fan is hard wired in and not running, a fuse blown, fan motor shot (18 years old). You may try to hot wire the fan to see if it works.

I don't believe the computer (ECM) is bad if other stuff is working.

[refugio]

Originally Posted by Old Lar

In rereading your first post, you also may have a clogged catalytic converter. (suddenly I heard a sound like if the muffler was clogged).

May also be a bad coil. Any more I carry an extra coil and module with me on road trips for those items seem to go unexpectedly.

If the fan is hard wired in and not running, a fuse blown, fan motor shot (18 years old). You may try to hot wire the fan to see if it works.

I don't believe the computer (ECM) is bad if other stuff is working.

Hey Old Lar thank you for all your help and since I am not going to be able to write back this year. I wish you happy holiday and new year. Enjoy it and have fun. I will write to you next year.