OK, here's the deal. A week ago, I was driving to a meeting across campus and my car had no power and wouldn't stay running. I got to one intersection and it died. Couldn't get it to run for more than 10 seconds or rev higher than like 1000 rpm, even floored. After five minutes of trying to get it started and failing miserably, it started up and ran perfectly. Then it ran fine for a day or two... Then I drove it partway across campus, parked for 15 minutes, came back, and it hasn't started since. I've checked different things with the ignition, pulled a few plugs, and they were wet (gasoline?). The battery was still strong and had no problem turning the engine over. The distributor cap and rotor seem to be ok. There's an ACCEL unit on the distributor. As soon as I can get some help, I'm going to check the spark, and will probably get none to little. If this is the case, what should I check or replace? It's an '86 LG4...

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1986 Trans Am
LG4, T-5, otherwise stock.
Saving money to upgrade to a TPI 5.0/T-5 in a year or two.

 

my first guess was fuel pump, but you said the plug were wet. trace the spark back and see where you don't have it. maybe a bad module, but it doesn't really sound like it. they usually fail hot and work cold. but if you have no spark from the distributor i'd change the module.

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ICON Motorsports
1st & 3rd

 

RE,

Since you're apparently taking quite a few short trips, you might want to remove the distributor cap, rotor, and coil from the cap. Look for signs of moisture (condensate) on the rotor, distributor parts, and the insulator under the coil. Excessive rust in the distributor is also a good indicator.

Check the wire terminations at the cap as well. Since the wires will be disconnected, you might as well meter them while you're there.

The short trips don't allow the engine to warm thoroughly and dry up the moisture as would normally occur. Short runs are also tough on the oxygen sensor, entire exhaust system, and transmission. They also contribute to carbon formation in cylinders and on valves. Get out for a road trip periodically and get it thoroughly warmed.

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Later,
Vader
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"No matter how hard you try you can't stop us now"
Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0

 

If the car has a carb the float could be sticking (open,) thus, causing your car to flood.

William