Hey all - I cant believe I havnt found this forum before!

My bird is my baby - a '91 (the 6 not the 8) I bought her when I was 15 after a summer flipping burgers and feel like Im cheating on her when I drive other cars. She has been pretty good to me over the past 9 years, not saying there havnt been problems...but more or less shes held together. Im also pretty sure shes the reason for me ever getting any dates haha

But now at 218k miles, shes starting to go. Actually thismorning on the way to work she finally died on me. On the way in I saw the "INFL rest" and Security light flash once - but kept driving (she didnt die yet). Then when I pulled into my parking garage and started to park the lights flashed again and she cut off. I was able to restart her after a bit of love to get myself the rest of the way into the spot.

Some background issues that shes been having: Actually she was running great back this fall before I left for a 6 month motorcycle trip in Europe. when I got back I found that she wouldnt start. I tried to recharge the battery - no luck, so I got a new one and she fired right up. I had the alternater checked and was told that it worked great. But though she was able to start from there on out, there still seemed to be power issues. Every time that I hit the breaks (like to slow down) the stereo dies. I finally just took the face off my head unit so it wouldnt start and that seemed to fix it...until this morning.

What are you suggestions?! How can I isolate whats wrong and try to fix it? I am guessing its leaking power somewhere - but dont really know. The battery meter on the dash says it has over 13...but I dont really trust my instrament panel anymore - the oil pressure has been off since I got her and the fuel gague is more of a general guess.

I really dont want to give her up (well to my parents barn until I have the money to really fix her up) and Im also a bit stuck at work :/

Thanks so much!
Tim

 

Welcome to the Site!!!

I would start looking at grounds, and other electrical connections, including the main feed at the starter. I Have no idea where the ground connections are on a V-6 though, I would suspect the major ones are on the back sides of the heads though. (might be wrong.... everything I know about the sixes is written on the inside of me left eyelid....)

 

Ok - so it sounds like something isnt getting grounded correctly? perhaps its has just jiggled its way off? or a wire is only half on?

maybe I didnt get everything hooked back up when I re-installed the batter?

I'm not naturally tech savvy, but having an old car is forcing me to learn one thing at a time - please pardon any stupid questions.

 

I have the same problem with my 91 Formula, the infl restraint light comes on with the security light, the radio cuts off, and then the car runs like crap until the light goes off, usually within a minute or two. This only happens while the car is driving, not at a stop. It just became a problem for me. I have had people tell me the timing is off, but I don't see how. I have also heard I need a head shield for my starter because of the hedders and the circuit could be causing it. PLEASE HELP!!!