Hey,

If you guys have browsed in the Tech/General Engine sub-forum you've most likely seen posts from me. I've been having some major issues with my 1988 GTA Trans Am. It has the 350 TPI (engine code L98) and it appears to have an electric problem. I just wanted to see if there is anyone around my area (Denton, Maryland) who has a passion for working on these kinda cars because as much as I'd like to say I'm experienced with it, I've never had any problem like this before. Just want someone to check over it and give me ideas on where to start assessing problems and give me suggestions on what to do with this. I'm not gonna like it really is a "piece of junk" at the moment. It starts amazingly well and has nice sound and power to it, but it has electrical issues (as previously stated) and overheating issues. Let me know if anyone is interested.

-Justin
1988 Trans Am GTA

 

id like to help, but Denton MD is kinda too far for me to drive

what exactly is the car doing to make u think its electrical issues? and how is it overheating... while idling, driving, etc

any pictures? ur signature shows a camaro

 

The temperature gauge doesn't move and it overheated while idling. It got hot enough that the antifreeze in the radiator boiled into the overflow when I turned it off.

 

I don't have any pics at the moment. I'm on my cell phone, I'll try to get some when I get home.

 

well, start with the basics...

first off, check to see if the fans are coming on. before u start the car, mark one of the fan blades with chalk or a paint marker and note the position. start the car and let it run. if after awhile the mark has moved, that means your fans are working. if not, well, theres one possible problem

if the fan checks out, i would start with the simple stuff like a new thermostat and gasket, and a coolant flush. after you refill the coolant, make sure all the air is bled out of the system, otherwise itll overheat

the temp gauge not working is probably either a bad sending unit or a wiring issue

what all have you done to troubleshoot so far?

its a shame youre 80 miles (almost a 2 hour drive) away from me. i can tell youre passionate about your GTA, and id be more than happy to help a thirdgen owner like that

 

I have checked the fans by hooking up a 12 volt source to them and they work. I also put the car in diag mode and one of them worked so I know they're functional.

I have been told about the thermostat by 2 people I've talked to and 1 person mentioned the air in the radiator causing it to overheat. The radiator was completely flushed out so that could be the problem. Just so you're aware though, the fans never came on while I was inserting the tranny fluid (when I noticed the overheat). It just kept getting hotter and hotter until I realized OK, they should have came on by now.

I've also been told about a bad sending unit or wiring. I honestly don't know the engine well and I can afford to pay for it, but I'd like to pay someone who knows the engines so they can get it done quick and efficiently and not give someone a headache. (I had a ford guy work on it before... Maybe thats my problem LOL)

Newark isn't that long a ride. I've taken a couple highways and got there in about 50 minutes to an hour to look at a Trans Am up there. lol You've got a vette and you say it'd be a 2 hour drive? haha! Just kidding.

 

did my screen name throw you off? i sold my old 89' vette years ago. see my sig for the most recent cars i own

either way you look at it, its still a 160 mile round trip to the area you live in. thats quite a distance. i guess no one closer has offered to help you out?

 

Yes it did. I took a look at your Buick thinking they were old people cars because I was unfamiliar with the model and yours actually looks pretty sporty.

Yeah, I understand. I've gotten a couple emails, but none as close as you. lol

 

my buick isnt as big as your common lesabres or park avenues (the more typical old persons car). plus, mine is supercharged... 240hp/280tq. runs mid - high 14s stock in the 1/4. its my daily driver... 4 doors means putting my kids car seat in the back is much easier than in my camaro. plus its quick enough not to be too boring. its a great car (but its no fbody!)

im going to be tied up for the next 2 or 3 weekends cause im doing some valvetrain work on my Z28. then im track testing it at the dragstrip when its all done (i race on saturdays). if no one has helped you out yet, or you havent figured it out by then, ill try and convince the wife to let me make the trip

 

I checked some "under the hood" pics on google and I was impressed. Nothing is like an fbody though.

Alright sounds good. If not, it's no big deal. I just took a lot of shortcuts and ended up giving up on my camaro. I don't want the same thing to happen to this. My girlfriend is telling me to sell it and I just think I'm gonna regret it.