Tech / General Engine Is your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!

1988 Pontiac GTA stopped running. Help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-29-2014, 03:36 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
vettemania77's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
1988 Pontiac GTA stopped running. Help

I own a 1988 Pontiac Trans Am GTA with the 5.7L/TPI engine and driving to work I was forced off the road by a driver not paying attention during a lane change at 65 miles an hour which forced me to go off the road and run down the grassy ditch side of the road. I kept the car out of the ditch/woods and managed to get back on the road by the seat of my pants. After I got back on the road the car went another 100 yards and quite running so later that morning I trailered the car home. After sitting a while I tried to start the car and it acted as if it would start but did not and still will not start. Can anyone tell me if there is a emergency fuel shut off switch for accidents and if not does anyone have any idea of what it could be causing the car not to start, and yes it is full of fuel as I filled it that morning prior to being forced off the road. Please help. I'm lost on what it could be.

Last edited by vettemania77; 11-29-2014 at 03:40 PM.
Old 11-29-2014, 03:48 PM
  #2  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (14)
 
aliceempire's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Milwaukee
Posts: 2,002
Received 145 Likes on 119 Posts
Car: 92 Firebird, 77 Trans Am SE, 86 Z28
Engine: 5.7 HSR, T/A 6.6, empty
Transmission: T-5, TH350, T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 posi, 3.23 posi, 3.23
Re: 1988 Pontiac GTA stopped running. Help

There is no inertia switch on these cars. I would suggest staring at the basics. Does it have fuel pressure? Does it have spark. Look under the under for anything out of place, i.e. vacuum lines, wiring.
Old 11-29-2014, 04:35 PM
  #3  
Member
 
apie2546's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Alpine
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 86 Trans Am
Engine: 305 LB9
Transmission: 700r4
Re: 1988 Pontiac GTA stopped running. Help

Originally Posted by aliceempire
There is no inertia switch on these cars. I would suggest staring at the basics. Does it have fuel pressure? Does it have spark. Look under the under for anything out of place, i.e. vacuum lines, wiring.
++

Check for an SES light code. Good tutorials online. My favorite is this: http://www.troublecodes.net/gm/ shows how to check and generic codes.

As said fuel pressure is important to check right now as the fuel may have sloshed around enough that the pump didn't pick any up and burned out.
Old 11-29-2014, 04:39 PM
  #4  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (1)
 
OrangeBird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 3,702
Received 669 Likes on 477 Posts
Car: 1989 Firebird
Re: 1988 Pontiac GTA stopped running. Help

Originally Posted by apie2546
.......the fuel may have sloshed around enough that the pump didn't pick any up and burned out.

He said the tank was full when this happened .......

And yes , standard troubleshooting protocols will reveal the reason easily , since it flat out won't run ....
Old 11-29-2014, 04:42 PM
  #5  
Member
 
apie2546's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Alpine
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 86 Trans Am
Engine: 305 LB9
Transmission: 700r4
Re: 1988 Pontiac GTA stopped running. Help

Originally Posted by aliceempire
There is no inertia switch on these cars. I would suggest staring at the basics. Does it have fuel pressure? Does it have spark. Look under the under for anything out of place, i.e. vacuum lines, wiring.
Originally Posted by OrangeBird
He said the tank was full when this happened .......

And yes , standard troubleshooting protocols will reveal the reason easily , since it flat out won't run ....
Oops missed that

Thanks
Old 11-29-2014, 05:16 PM
  #6  
Member
 
mlbinseattle's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: '84 Camaro Z28
Engine: 305 HO
Re: 1988 Pontiac GTA stopped running. Help

Check the air intake and air filter. Some grass or some trash in the grass may have possibly gotten sucked into the air intake and is choking the air flow.

Last edited by mlbinseattle; 11-29-2014 at 05:17 PM. Reason: Corrected misspelled word.
Old 11-29-2014, 11:47 PM
  #7  
Member

iTrader: (2)
 
BASSETT IROC 85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Heart of Dixie
Posts: 465
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1987 Camaro Sport Coupe
Engine: 355
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 7.5 inch 342
Re: 1988 Pontiac GTA stopped running. Help

Seen this before. car ran off the road way during a rain storm. Catalytic converter bottomed out busting up the inside blocking exhaust flow.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jhawkeye
Engine Swap
5
05-25-2022 06:33 PM
BRoss99
Electronics
27
12-07-2020 06:50 PM
1Aauto
Sponsored Vendors
0
08-26-2015 02:18 PM
stalkier
Electronics
1
08-21-2015 01:54 AM
EFR2000
Tech / General Engine
0
08-18-2015 08:54 PM



Quick Reply: 1988 Pontiac GTA stopped running. Help



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:36 AM.