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87 Trans am--SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!! S.O.S

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Old 06-20-2014 | 09:44 PM
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87 Trans am--SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!! S.O.S

Hey guys, I've Got an 87 trans am 5.0 tpi....So I drove to the store right around the corner from my house, went back to the car and smelt gas....Didn't think it was my car at first, started it up and it was idling rough...so I gave it a little gas to try to bring up the rpms so I could drive it home (right around the corner) So on my way to exit the driveway the car died...I tried starting it up and it kinda made a CLUNK sound....anyways...pushed it back to the parking lot, and tried to start again...all I got was a loud CRAAANKKKK noise....not only that but now there is No power steering and I cant push in the brakes.


I have no idea what the issue is....I'm having the car towed right now. I just don't understand what it could be. Just hoping its nothing serious. I checked to see if maybe one of the belts came off but they seem to all be there. Any help would be much appreciated, This is the last thing I need in my life right now
Old 06-20-2014 | 09:45 PM
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Re: 87 Trans am--SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!! S.O.S

By the way, there was no gas anywhere under the car.
Old 06-20-2014 | 09:53 PM
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From: Rocky Face, Ga
Car: 1989 Formula
Engine: 355ci HSR SBC
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: 87 Trans am--SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!! S.O.S

This may be a stupid question, but did you pop the hood? Is the belt still there?
Old 06-20-2014 | 10:01 PM
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Re: 87 Trans am--SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!! S.O.S

Yea Man, from what I can tell the belts are all still there, that's the first thing I thought....I forgot to mention tho, after the car died while I was stuck in the driveway, I tried to start it and at first it kind of acted like it wanted to start, then I heard that loud THUD/Clunk....I just got off the phone with one of my friends and the first thing he said was "I hope you didn't throw a rod" Would that cause all of this together ie....loud crank when trying to start/no power steering/no brakes?
Old 06-20-2014 | 10:10 PM
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Re: 87 Trans am--SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!! S.O.S

Originally Posted by truckerz
This may be a stupid question, but did you pop the hood? Is the belt still there?
yea man, I'm so baffled
Old 06-20-2014 | 10:25 PM
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From: Alpine
Car: 86 Trans Am
Engine: 305 LB9
Transmission: 700r4
Re: 87 Trans am--SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!! S.O.S

Sounds like a tranny issue. My bad iac caused my car to smell of gas bad and stall. Though the crack is very very concerning. I'd recommend a specialist.
Old 06-20-2014 | 10:28 PM
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Re: 87 Trans am--SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!! S.O.S

Originally Posted by apie2546
Sounds like a tranny issue. My bad iac caused my car to smell of gas bad and stall. Though the crack is very very concerning. I'd recommend a specialist.
Hmmm, well the thing is my tranny has been super strong, I mean it shifts like a champ...never had any issues w/ it. But would the iac(?) have anything to do with the power steering and the brakes stopping to work at the same time?
Old 06-20-2014 | 10:34 PM
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From: Alpine
Car: 86 Trans Am
Engine: 305 LB9
Transmission: 700r4
Re: 87 Trans am--SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!! S.O.S

The Idle Air Control valve which controls the vehicle idle on multiple conditions can fail causing it to smell of gas, stall and idle rough. As well as be tough to start. And after furtger reading I don't believe it is the transmission. Sorry about that sounds almost electrical. If not electrical than something mechanical has seized. Im no way an expert on these cars but personally I'd look at the timing chain maybe being snapped, which can cause that. Or it slipped a few teeth. Hard to say. Just have to start digging under the hood when you have a chance. Really sorry this happened to you!
Old 06-20-2014 | 10:41 PM
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Re: 87 Trans am--SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!! S.O.S

Thanks apie, I appreciate the feedback man. Yea it sucks I just hope its not something super serious. I guess I should see how much either an iac or timing chain might run me. So the IAC possibly could cause the the brakes/power steering/cranking issue all at the same time? I did forget to mention that when I left my house to go to the store everything was fine except when I went to start it, it didn't turn over right away like it normally does....It took maybe 5 seconds to get it to turn over...even then it was sort of hesitant to do so. Anyways, thanks again.
Old 06-21-2014 | 08:26 AM
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From: Alpine
Car: 86 Trans Am
Engine: 305 LB9
Transmission: 700r4
Re: 87 Trans am--SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!! S.O.S

I always start cheapest items first. And the idle air valve meets some of your symptoms, not all. But if it isnt new it might as well be replaced. Got mine for 16 bucks free shipping. Sounds like something it may be something serious as well
Old 07-06-2014 | 10:15 AM
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Re: 87 Trans am--SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!! S.O.S

If the car isn't running, the power brakes, and power steering obviously will not work, as they are driven by the engine Am I missing something here?
Old 07-06-2014 | 04:14 PM
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From: Chantilly, VA
Car: 88 Chimera
Engine: 1994 LO5 5.7L
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73...?
Re: 87 Trans am--SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!! S.O.S

Did it hydrolock?
Old 07-09-2014 | 04:48 PM
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From: St. Cloud, MN
Car: 1984 Trans Am
Engine: LS1383 in work
Transmission: Magnum F
Axle/Gears: Zexel Torsen 3.73, 28-spline mosers
Re: 87 Trans am--SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!! S.O.S

The loud crack wasn't the starter catching was it? Like if you try to start the car again once it's already running?

If you get "too much fuel", as Tyeo098 stated, it can hydro lock. I did that to my car when I first installed an electric pump and hot wired it to "on", in run. Turned the key on and forgot about it, went to start and it wouldn't. Had to wait until the next morning and it started fine.
Old 07-09-2014 | 04:48 PM
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From: St. Cloud, MN
Car: 1984 Trans Am
Engine: LS1383 in work
Transmission: Magnum F
Axle/Gears: Zexel Torsen 3.73, 28-spline mosers
Re: 87 Trans am--SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!! S.O.S

Originally Posted by Acespaceman
If the car isn't running, the power brakes, and power steering obviously will not work, as they are driven by the engine Am I missing something here?
You are correct sir.
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