After I drive around for 30 minutes+ and get out for a few minutes, when I get back and try and start my car it doesn't happen. I turn the key and nothing at all happens like the battery died. Getting a jump works to get the car started, so it seems like the battery, but if I just let the car sit for like an hour, it'll crank right back up. I installed a new alternator and it still does it, so any ideas on what it could be?

I still haven't replaced the battery, but I got it tested and they said it was fine.

Also, a couple of times my car has thrown a check engine light and shut off while I'm driving, I can throw it in neutral crank it and we're good to go, this rarely happens, but its still a problem nonetheless. Any ideas?

 

It could be a VATS problem. I've had the same problem before and it was the VATS. When you turn your key over to the run position after a few seconds does the Security light go off? If it doesn't it's your vats that could be the problem. Refer to the tech articles on the home page for VATS bypass and diagnosis for fixing information.

 

Nope, the security light goes off after a second or two. Any other ideas? It's happening more frequently, and the car is stalling out more frequently too while I'm driving, usually when I'm letting off the gas. I got the IAC replaced a month ago or so so I doubt it's that.

 

bump

 

Starter or solenoid may be going. Heat soaking when it sits for a few after running. You need to pull your codes on the stalling/service engine light issue.

 

I recently put on a new starter, so that's not it. What all needs to be done to replace the solenoid?

 

New starter hopefully came with one unless you remember installing one on it before swapping it in.

Check voltage at the battery when the car is off. Should be +12 volts. When hot the starter, etc. will require a little more juice and the batt is taxed.

Check voltage at the starter (car off) check condition of the wires going to starter.

 

more than likely a heat soak problem...

 

What can I do about the heat soak problem then? Sounds like what's happening. It's a new starter and solenoid, do I have to get a different type than stock, or what's the deal?

 

bump

 

You can get a heat shield wrapping from summit that you put around the starter to help. Do you by chance have headers? or is it the stock manifolds?

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

 

I do have aftermarket edelbrock headers

 

That's where your heat is coming from. headers will kill all your starters unless you shield it. You've gotta either wrap the headers, wrap the starter, or get a mini starter.

 

So wrapping it with the heat shield will for sure solve the problem then? Thanks a lot for the help.

 

If heat is the problem. which I would bet an arm that it is, then it should take care of it. I havn't seen a situation where wraping it didn't help. The wrap is only about $17 from summit. seems cheaper than contiually replacing starters. lol. Good luck. hope it all works out.

 

For $17 it wouldn't hurt. Since you're on top of things right now haha, another problem I'm having is sometimes it surges at idle, my guess would be to just get a new fuel pump for that, but it also idles at like 1500-2000 rpms which seems quite high?

 

try lowering your idle, it should be around 8000-9000 for an auto and about 7000 for a manual. also check your spark plugs for any corrosion, and if you have access to a timing light, double check your timing. I had a surging issue recently and ended up being timing, not fuel. Once again, let's aim for the cheapest fix and check everything.

 

As I'm sure you can tell I'm rather new to all of this, but how do I go about lowering the idle? I don't have a timing light, but I'm sure I can get a hold of one eventually and check that out.

 

To lower the idle turn the car on and let it warm up to normal temp. then find the idle control screw on the throttle control on the carb, throttle body...You never mentioned what it is. and turn it counterclockwise, you will hear the engine start to slow down. Do you know how to check the timing?

 

No I don't, it's an 89 iroc-z camaro 350 TPI. I'll try that out tomorrow though.

 

Hope it works out for ya. If you need anything else just PM me.

 

how would you check the timing on a 305 tpi 1986 transam fuel injected?

i think its miss fireing

 

Checking the timing is always the same, with any car. hook up the timing light leads to the battery, then hook the third connector to the #1 spark plug wire. point the light at the timing marker on the balancer. that'll tell you what degree advanced or retarded you are.

 

If it's misfiring you should check your plugs, might have some corrosion keeping them from creating a good spark.

 

ive been told its missfireing but what is the definition of missfireing and surging?

 

If it's missfiring then it's not firing on 1 or more of the cylinders. probably bad plug or wire. surging is when the car is idle and the rpms are going up and down spuratically. usually the cause is bad spark, timing, internal problem with the distributor. possibly insufficiant fuel or a vaccum leak. usually a timing issue though.