I bought a cheap 88 Trans Am months ago, and as a regular thing I replaced the coil, plugs, wires, dist. cap, and fuel filter.

The car has had a problem with I am pretty sure the TPS. It has a problem idling, like if I start it, rev it, and let off it will die pretty much every time, but if I just drive it normal its okay. I did some data logging before my laptop bit it hard, and the TPS requests where all over the place, suggesting a bad TPS. Anyway, it has now started sporatically dying on me. Initially it would die, and being a 5 speed, I could just start it again by letting it roll. Last week, however, it started getitng bad. It would die, and not start. The RPMs just drop off, with the SES light coming on. The SES kinda flashes dimly as it won't start. When it finally does start it stinks of fuel, and a cloud of smoke comes out the back, which is probably just all the fuel.

The only code is a code 34, which is MAF related.

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

Check the TPS and IAC (check/set minimum air).

 

The TPS reads the correct voltage, that was one thing I checked. I reset it all so it it reads, I think it is, .45 volts at idle. I had the Thirdgen tech article infront of me, so I know that is set correctly. The IAC I am pretty sure is dead. The throttle return spring is weak as heck, so the throttle has a tendancy to stick open a little, which is my guess as to why it doesn't die a whole lot more often.

But what do they have to do with the starting issue?

 

.54 volts, throttle closed, engine off, key on.
A dead IAC that is fully closed won't let enough air in for starting or a rapid throttle closure (stall saver adds IAC counts to prevent what you are seeing) Also, blocked idle passages will do the same things.