Not sure what’s going on with my car. But all of a sudden it started idling crazy. Sometimes it will start up smooth and then start stalling out and smooth out and start stalling again. Sometimes it will start with the stalling. I’ve changed the tps and the coolant temperature sensor, the IAC was changed as well I just don’t remember when. I don’t drive the car much at all. I want to find out what it is instead of buying part that’s not fixing the problem. Another thing, there’s no check engine light on... Help please!!!

 

Start with the basics---fuel pressure measurement.

 

...and then connect a scan tool. Investigate the data stream. The answer is almost certainly in there.

 

The first thing that comes to mind is "I don't drive it often" with modern gas if you are not adding stay-bil or other stabilizer it is going to varnish, this will gum/clog/effect the injectors, filter, pump and other fuel components and kill them eventually.

That being said... do the above (pressure, scan tool) if nothing obvious comes out I would drain the tank, replace filter, and put new fuel in it so you are not chasing ghosts due to junk fuel.

 

Thanks for the info but, that’s not it. I don’t drive the car much, but I do start it up and let it run til it reaches temperature. I run out of gas setting in the garage. I don’t keep much in it to start with. The gas is good. On the other hand, I think I got it. I wasn’t getting a check engine light but I put my scan tool on and got code 42. So I ordered a complete new distributor and got a new coil pack from RockAuto. It’s on it’s way. I was going to rebuild mine but it was cheaper to buy a complete new one.

Thanks again! I’ll update the form if this fixes it.

 

That must mean you bought bottom-feeder Asian-import parts.

Good luck.

I make it a point to test, clean, reuse or rebuild OEM parts when I can, because at least I know what I started with was made right. That can't be said for Chinese crap; there's no telling what flaws they've introduced. 'Course, sometimes there's just no choice. It takes as much time to verify the import garbage than to repair the original parts in some cases.



For the record, it seems that Code 42 can be set based on wire-harness problems and PROM problems, it doesn't have to be a fault with the distributor according to a Fiero web-site I found.
http://www.fieros.de/en/v6help/code42.html

But things may be different for your vehicle, which is why I suggest getting a proper, GM service manual for YOUR CAR.