Engine stalling - need help

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blackcherryfiero - 05 Apr 2005 03:06 GMT

I have a 1985 Pontiac Fiero 2.8l V6. Completely restored including rebuilt
engine - stock.

Just recently the car started stalling while driving it. It seems to
happen only while the engine is hot and never at an idle. I can make it
happen consistently by warming up the engine, then rev the engine to about
2500 RPM and wait about 1-2 mins. The tach then drops instantly to 0 RPM.
When this happens while driving, sometimes the engine will start again on
it's own.. sometimes I need to throw in the clutch and shut off the key,
and restart the engine. Any ideas?

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Pegasus #4 - 05 Apr 2005 05:51 GMT

I've included a recent posting from JazzMan that seems to fit your
situation.

"Get a short length of wire and some connectors from Radio Shack
and make a jumper to fit from the orange cigarette lighter power
wire to the fuel pump terminal in the ALDL behind the cigarette
lighter trim plate:

http://web2.airmail.net/jsavage1/formula/aldlfuelpumpbypass.jpg

Next time it quits connect the wire as described above and see
if the fuel pump works. If it does then there's a problem with
either the relay or wiring from the ECM to the relay. Also,
check that you actually have spark because the ECM will not activate
the pump unless it sees pulses from the distributor module and if
the module quits (the tachometer lays dead while cranking) then
you need a new module."

JazzMan

> I have a 1985 Pontiac Fiero 2.8l V6. Completely restored including rebuilt
> engine - stock.
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> it's own.. sometimes I need to throw in the clutch and shut off the key,
> and restart the engine. Any ideas?

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JazzMan - 05 Apr 2005 06:01 GMT

Does it ever, while cranking, show the tach on zero while
the engine is cranking but not starting? If so, it's a bad
module, pickup, or coil. Have you checked to see if there
are any stored codes?

JazzMan

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David S. - 06 Apr 2005 02:40 GMT

I found that corrosion at the screw that holds the ignition module would cause this problem.

Even if it is all new, the screw might be loose. It forms the ground path.
It's probably time for me to check this again.

My V6 would drop dead on the highway, then restart with no problem on the side of the road.

Other than that, you are probably looking for an electrical connection that goes open when
it gets hot and serves the entire iginition system - module, coil, wire from the coil to
the distributor, any connection. Maybe a bad temp signal to the ECM? I don't know if the
ECM shuts off spark when too hot.

It's tough to diagnose until it really croaks.

Dave S.

> > I have a 1985 Pontiac Fiero 2.8l V6. Completely restored including rebuilt
> > engine - stock.
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> live under the laws of justice and mercy." - Wendell Berry
> **********************************************************

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