i have an 85 t/a 305 tpi and when car is cold it starts and runs, but very rough and irratic idle until warmed up. it hesitates to rev up when pressing the gas, like to throttle has to catch up with the pedal. once warm if it dies or you turn off to try restart, it won't start for about 10 min then it cranks right up. if you try to run down the road after you let off throttle idle goes way down and dies or tries to. i have replaced plugs, wires, ign mod, cap, etc. still same prob. tried new cone air filter and ditched factory set up, and it attached to maf, still same prob. car is throwing ses light but i have no clue how or where to have it checked except dealer which i'd rather just sell it before paying dealer to work on it. i am new to the board so sorry for the long post, but this is driving me up the wall, and being in wheelchair, i cant just jump in another car and go without spending 2 or 3 hrs uninstalling and reinstalling hand controls.

 

Well just reading the description of your problem I would say replace your Coolant Temperature Sensor, and see what happens.

To check your codes, you just have to jump pins A and B on your ALDL connector, which should be down right around your knees when your in the car. The first pin on the top right is Pin A, then Pin B is right next to it, one pin to the left. You want to have the ignition on, in the run position, but you want the engine off. Jump the two pins with a paper clip or something like that.

You then have to watch the Check Engine Light, it will flash, pause, flash, pause. Count the flashes, it should be something like "flash, pause, flash, flash, pause (longer) flash flash.." yada yada

so the first code there would be 12, the second one, 20 something (just an example)

Then post the code(s) here, and I'm sure someone will be able to help you from there.

 

your manual or a search here will tell you how to access the stored trouble codes. by not start do you mean no crank or no fire?