1988 Pontiac Trans GTA stalls when out on D

Asked by Ted May 06, 2017 at 09:23 PM about the 1988 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am GTA

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Back in December I bought a 1988 Pontiac Trans Am
GTA. A few weeks later the battery died. Since it was an
old one, I had it replaced. But even the new battery died
after a week. I assumed that there was a problem with the
alternator, so I installed a new one. After the new
alternator the car would start but stall after a few seconds.
At that time we found out that the PCM was bad so we
replaced it. Now, we test the alternator and the battery,
and we get a healthy 13V reading. The car starts without a
problem, it idles without a problem, but stalls when you
put it in D and try to drive. We cannot figure out what the
problem could be. Any ideas?

Let me add that the fuel pump relay,the fuel pump and the
wiring harness that powers the fuel pump have all been
replaced.

1 Answer
59,745

enginecreator answered 7 years ago

Does it need a full servicing? Plugs & wires, cap and rotor, HEI control module, located under the rotor, ect running lean, Fuel filter. tcc solenoid (torque lockup) or neutral safety switch. Low vacuum/low manifold pressure. I would start testing sensors per a repair manual procedures for your car. Some of these cars have issues with burning wires so check them all and the ones from ignition coil to the ignition module wiring. Idle speed to low, vacuum leak, Low fuel pressure, lock-up torque convertor problem (TCC). PCV valve dirty. You can unhook the TCC and try to drive it if it does then solenoid or your wire harness to it needs checked, if it does not then its a engine issue or trans issue. Pull and check all sensor or electrical connections (including spark plug boots) and clean with computer board cleaner (aka contact cleaner) and apply a generous amount of dielectric grease.

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