Last night my '89 IROC stalled out on me as I was coming to a stop sign. It started right back up and didn't have any problems. I noticed that sometimes while slowing down, the engine will from time to time 'drag' like something is pulling the RPM's down while coasting in OD. This only lasts for a second or two at the most. Then it's fine again. It seems to coincide with the A/C compressor cycling on and off as well. It's a NAPA reman compressor, the 2nd one I've had. The first compressor destroyed it's own front bearing and the pulley nearly flew off. The new one is noisy, but seems to work ok.

Today, the car stalled on me and then wouldn't do ANYTHING when I turned the key. All the electrical systems were working, but there was no crank, no click from the starter solenoid, no nothing. The solenoid is new btw. Well, after messing with the battery cables, wires, and grounds it still wouldn't work. I was thinking 'ignition module' but I'm not sure. Next, out of the blue, I turn the key and it fires right up.

The voltmeter on my car seems to be inaccurate, since I've put an voltmeter on it and was able to get no less than 12 volts on the reading. This is while the dash guage says something like 9 or 10, but everything still seems to be slowing down more than it should. I have just recently put a new Optima red top and Powermaster 140 amp alternator in. The factory setting on the alternator is supposed to put ou 14.6 volts, but probably not at idle. Also, the tachometer will 'bump' along with the turn signal if I'm stopped at a light or something. Is that supposed to happen? I mean, I know it's old, but come on. Where do you guys think I should be looking for problems, and what do you think is the cause of the stall and no start? I know this is long, but I can't find the problem.

 

Seems like a poor ground. the tach "bumping" with the turn signal is an indicator.
I'd start with cleaning the battery ground terminal and connection, then where it attaches to the block...just follow it..probably on the Alt or Comp bracket.

 

I'll take a look at those wires again, and thanks for the reply. Both the positive and negative cables are new, and I cleaned the surface really well before I installed the new cables. I'll follow those harnesses from the alternator and compressor again and see if I missed something.

 

Alternator?