Maybe someone here can diagnose a problem I'm having with my car. I have an 89 firebird, 208 L...6 cyl. with 43,000 original miles. The last two times I went on a trip over 30 miles, the car doesn't seem to like the heat. Last July I took a trip 30 miles away in, weather was mid to upper 80's. Parked the car for about an hour, then drove to a Best Buy store, came back out and the car was DEAD. The person I was with thought maybe it was the bar on the key. He worked with that and made a call to AAA all this took about 20 min to 1/2 hr. AAA showed up to tow the car and it started. Now 1 year later I take a trip 60 miles away same weather conditions, and in the middle of a busy bumper to bumper traffic, the car just DIES. Turn the key... dead...nothing. The car probably sat about 20 min and again AAA was on their way and you guessed it, it started. That was 2 weeks ago, and it hasn't happened since. Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this?

 

Don't start another thread just to direct ideas to this one, that's just annoying. Just post again in this thread and say "TTT" or "bump, anyone?"
Something along those lines.

Alright, so when you say "dead", can you be more specific?

Do the headlights or interior lights still work?
Do the gauges light up?
When you turn the key do the gauge lights dim?
Do you get a "click"?

I'd think the wiring at the battery, starter, or alternator is a bit corroded, or the terminal is loose. It might be the "VATS" (that's the resistor in the key right?), but i'm not wise to that system, so I don't usually blame it.

Wiggle the wiring at the battery, and starter and see if anything is obvious. Start there.

 

sorry for the double post. When I say dies, I mean you turn the key and there is nothing. All lights, dash lights come on but when you turn the key there is absolutely nothing!!!!!
I wouldn't have posted another post if someonw would have answered the first one

 

Yea, usually you want to stimulate the first one, rather than starting another one, that just starts a wild goose chase to find that first thread.

Anyway, key point - when you turn the key, do the lights dim?

If not, i'd say the start wiring on the solenoid, or on the ignition cylinder is loose. But that doesn't address why it stalls in the first place. Hmm, that's a real thinker alright...

 

No the lights don't dimm, could the heat outside be a factor, and the fact that I was in traffic, crawling at a snails pace have anything to do with it, although it was not like that last year when I only drove the 30 miles. The serviceman said they could only fix it when it happens where I live., but so far it has only happened on trips. So I guess no more tipps in the firebird for me.