88 gta wont start - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

zimmer · 02-28-2002, 03:10 PM

Whats up everybody! I am new to Thirdgen.Org and happy to be here. Most of my friends in Sacramento run Mustangs but I wanted something better. I just purchased a 1988 metallic burgandy Trans Am GTA. It has a 350, rebuilt high performance 700r4 transmission, rebuit heads and posi 3.27 rear end gears. The body is in excellent condition, new paint job, tires, digital dash and T-tops. The car is flawless, fell in love and had to have it. The car has only 111023 miles and I only paid 1800! I couldnt resist. Anyways the seller sold it because the car would ocassionally not crank and just make clicking sounds before it completely went out. He didnt want mess with it and sold it. Im not much of a mechanic but I felt it was a starter or loose connection. I charged the battery and everthing works(lights, power windows etc...). I would appreciate any advice on solving this problem. I cant wait to represent Thirdgen owners on battlefield Sunrise BLVD.

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genyuschrist · 02-28-2002, 04:13 PM

Check the starter wires, i know the ones going to my starter came loose one time and had me baffled for a couple days.

82resto · 02-28-2002, 05:52 PM

Same here. Starter wire came undone. But it was a lot easier to figure out considering i had put in a new battery the day prior

Jon

TPortFormula · 02-28-2002, 11:44 PM

if you charge your battery, and it starts then, but if it sits for a while, and doesn't start, that means your battery is loosing juice some how, or your alternator is crappin out on you, or it could be the starter wire (could cause the loss of power by grounding).

zimmer · 03-01-2002, 12:30 PM

Hey guys, thanks for the reply. The problem was a bad starter. The car runs great. I do have another question. My 350 runs at 225 degrees and I feel that it is a little too hot. I have dual fans but one works and it is manually activated. What thermostat comes stock on a 1988 GTA 350 and how low temp can I go for best performance and wear. Thanks.

nblanchard · 03-02-2002, 07:49 PM

First of all.. I have a dilemma... is your car stock? The reason I ask, is, because GTA's did not come with T-Roof and a 350 from 1988 to 1992. The only way to get a t-roof is to opt out and get the 305.

As for the temperature, thats normal.... our cars like to heat up nice and hot. I am not sure what the stock thermostat temperature is, but I would swayp it out and get a 180* thermostat.

Only one fan works, the second fan turns on with the A/C

88 350 tpi formula · 03-02-2002, 09:24 PM

He could have a dealer opt. t-roof the ones I have seen you can tell because the painted area between the windshield and t-top is a lot larger. but, I guess it depends on where you live and where they had it done.

nblanchard · 03-03-2002, 03:11 AM

could be a left over 1987 that was carried over into 1988? :/

88TPI406GTA · 03-03-2002, 06:02 PM

Actually, I have a factory 350 (700R4) T-top 1988 GTA...so I guess you are incorrect. I had heard that you could get them through like 89 or 90...but I also heard from a guy a while ago that had a 92 Formula with a 350 and T-tops...so oh well.

Just my $.02....

lancer5067 · 03-03-2002, 06:18 PM

ummm GTA's were fully optioned T/A's meaning they were standard T-tops/ 5.7/auto/power everything. If you chose not to go with TTops you had to decline the option, if you wanted a manual gearbox you had to opt for the 5.0, I believe 1990 might have been the last year of T-top equipped 5.7's, I'm pretty sure my GTA has T-tops, lol. So from 87-90 were the ONLY years you could have 5.7 AND TTops. Trust me I researched before I bought, later!:lala:

lancer5067 · 03-03-2002, 06:30 PM

anyways back to the question, you SHOULD have two electric fans one that runs all the time and the other kicks on at around 230* or so. My secondary fan also has a manual switch which is ok I guess, I have a 160* thermo so I never need the switch. My opinion 160 is far too low unless you are running a thermo chip or if you have cooling problems. I'd agree 180* should be good, I feel 160 just screws my mileage up too much, just don't forget to kill the switch before you restart the motor or .... click click click (like it did to me!!!) Congrats on the GTA $2K is friggin awesome! I paid $4200 for mine, lol. Good luck and lets see some pics!!

nblanchard · 03-03-2002, 07:29 PM

I was told by many people that T-Tops were not available with 5.7L engines after 1987 due to frame twist, so GM solved the frame twist peoblem by no longer offering t-roof with the 5.7L

nblanchard · 03-03-2002, 07:41 PM

I looked into this more deep, and I am wrong. The t-tops weren't marketed as much with 350's, but were available. But they aren't standard withthe GTA (Y84) option package, t-roofs have their own RPO code, and that is CC1. IF it was a delete option, there would be a T-roof Delete RPO code.