My '90 RS has started acting up, It will just shut off all of a sudden. The first time it was idling in park and the motor shut off just like I turned the ignition. That time it didn't want to start back up and when it did it would just go dead again and when it finally started back up I had to idle it up high for a minute so it would keep running. Today in my driveway it turn off twice on me but satarted back up fine each time. The car seems to drive around fine. I am not sure where to start looking, is this more likely a fuel or a ignition problem? I hear the aftermarket fuel pump prime when I turn the ignition on. It has a new fuel filter. I am running a MSD ignition and coil. I have new plugs, cap, rotor and wires.

Again the car seems to run fine when I drive around town and has only gone dead when in park or slowly backing up.

Thanks
Mike

 

How old is the ignition module in the distributor? Check for loose wires?

 

I second that. Had the same issue before and it was the ignition module. It is a cheap part too.

 

Could also be the pickup coil.

 

third

 

Thanks guys, the ignition module is still the original as best I know. I will look at replacing it. Is this the right part...Control Module Ignition part #DR140 for $39.99 at Auto Zone?

 

I have exactly the same problem with my 91 rs 305 tbi motor. Starts right up every time, then just shuts right down again. I have replace the distributor, coil, plugs wires, cap, ignition, rotor. New fuel pump, sending unit, relays, and even the ecu. Still does the same thing. I have noticed it doing it more as the weather turns cold, down around 28 degrees or so, but it can be totally random. The only thing I havent tried changing yet is the tps. I have stopped worrying about since im soon to be done with my 350, but man its embarassing when it just shuts down in traffic. Good luck with that problem, post when you get it figured out...I never could.

 

@Mike1: Yep, that be the feller. However...... I really don't like getting electronic parts from autozone.... i had them abandon me in place on more than on occasion. See if you can get the AC/Delco part elsewhere.

@timespy: Please start another thread for your problem.

 

Check/replace your IAC...not sure what motor you have... I had one go faulty on me and wouldnt let the car idle. It did it more when it was cold, because the solenoid was sticky from build up. They can fail mechanically, and not throw a CEL.

J.

 

Looks like Advance Auto has the AC/Delco but its $73.99....is it worth the difference? I have had trouble with Auto Zone stuff such as starters and alternator...I just didn't want to spend more than I had too.

How do I replace the control module, is it under the distribitor cap?

 

I aplologize if it seemed I was hijacking a thread. I was just commenting that I have the same problem with mine, and have not found a solution despite making the changes I mentioned. I hope he finds the problem, it has been eating at me for over a year now.

 

the ignition module is under the cap, 2 screws hold it in place, at least that's whats holding my module in place on my bird... and also I second the notion of avoiding AutoZone at all cost, only use Autozone as a temporary solution as personally in my personal experiences electronics from them are crap... go to pepboys, napa auto parts... buy either ac delco, or borg warner or Accel, the last two brands I have not had any trouble with...

 

Changed the ignition control module and changed out the IAC with a spare that I had on another throttle body. Drove it around and let it idle for quite a while, so far so good. One thing I did notice is before I would hear a ticking or clicking sound when I would accelerate hard sometimes, after changing the ignition module that sound is gone.

Thanks for everyone's reply.

 

You probably heard your engine Pinging...