Car dies at stop, ideas for new owner? (Page 1/2)
F Craigg APR 01, 05:36 PM
I was driving my car back to my home from my dad’s house and I idled at a stop sign and it died after resting at 1100 rpm, dropping to 600 and then dying, I started it again but it immediately died. The third start I pressed the gas on turn and the car started. I immediately shifted into drive and drove up a hill, heard a bang and drove it into the yard where it died again once stopping. I’m thinking it’s a bad ground because it did rain today and I didn’t have the battery covered and we recently installed a new battery but I’m a young and dumb 19yr old so advice is appreciated.

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Finn Craigg
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Proud owner of Starr, an original 84.
Year: 84 | Color:White
Engine:Iron Duke | Model: SE?

Mike in Sydney APR 01, 06:41 PM
Check your fuel pressure.
cliffw APR 01, 10:53 PM
The battery being uncovered would not cause a "bang". Was it a "back fire" from the exhaust ? I think that would indicate timing. Which should not have changed unless you did some specific engine work.
F Craigg APR 02, 03:22 AM

quote
Originally posted by cliffw:

The battery being uncovered would not cause a "bang". Was it a "back fire" from the exhaust ? I think that would indicate timing. Which should not have changed unless you did some specific engine work.


I forgot to mention this about the bang I heard because it sounded less like a gun or a bang, but more like something dropping or hitting on metal. I was taking a right on a hill and I have worn suspension and hope that noise could have been it.

[This message has been edited by F Craigg (edited 04-02-2025).]

jonrev APR 02, 11:48 AM

quote
Originally posted by F Craigg:

shifted into drive




Auto? Next time it stalls try unplugging the tcc lockup solenoid on the trans... four-pin blue plug on the firewall side.

[This message has been edited by jonrev (edited 04-02-2025).]

F Craigg APR 02, 04:33 PM

quote
Originally posted by jonrev:


Auto? Next time it stalls try unplugging the tcc lockup solenoid on the trans... four-pin blue plug on the firewall side.




I have an unknown quality of transmission because it got maintenanced in Belton trans shop but it’s a automatic.
Doggo APR 02, 06:13 PM

quote
Originally posted by F Craigg:

it got maintenanced in Belton trans shop



I don’t know exactly how ‘new’ you are to fieros but I’ll give you the warning anyway. Be very careful when selecting a shop to service your fiero! A lot of shops these days have young kids working on cars who’ve never even seen a mid engine car before. As such, they may not pay enough attention when lifting your vehicle. This is a problem because where virtually every other car has safe lift points on the frame, your fiero has delicate coolant pipes that WILL be crushed if put under stress. Look around and you’ll find plenty of horror stories about this exact thing happening to fiero owners. Before you take your fiero anywhere to be serviced, take time and date stamped pictures of your uncrushed coolant pipes to prove that they were fine before being taken to the shop. Additionally print out two copies of the lifting point diagram:




Give one to the technician that will be servicing your vehicle (if not possible, leave it with whoever you talk to when you bring the car in, and STRESS the importance of proper lifting to them) and then leave the other one in the passenger seat of the car where hopefully someone will stumble upon it before trying to lift it. (This is someone else from the forums idea not my own, regrettably I don't remember who to give proper credit to.)


EDIT: Oh! I didn't know who your pops was. I haven't been here long myself but he seems like a true and trusted veteran around here. I'm sure you're in good hands regarding any of this.

[This message has been edited by Doggo (edited 04-02-2025).]

steve308 APR 03, 08:40 AM
Pull codes to see if any are there. Could save you a bunch of time and frustration! Pulling codes is easy....Use the search button or you tube for how to do it.
Dennis LaGrua APR 03, 09:17 AM
To simplify most failures to start and run are caused by lack of fuel or spark. If the engine only dies when you stop then I would suspect the torque converter clutch solenoid is bad so just follow jonrev's suggestion to check that. Also remember that you are driving a 40 year old vehicle and as a daily driver reliability should not be counted on .
.

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Jake_Dragon APR 03, 12:23 PM
ignition module: I have seen this very thing, no spark loads up on gas then BANG
week or short coil: had a coil that would get hot and do the same thing intermittent spark, load up on gas BANG
Could be ground, those are not too hard to check.