A few times in the past couple weeks, my car has randomly died. One day, I was pulling to a stop sign and it died on me. Yesterday I started it, and it died right after it began to idle. It's also been hard to start. I've already replaced the ICM and coil. I'm fairly certain it isn't the optispark. There's no bad running issues. I was thinking it was the alternator, as there's been a little noise coming from under the hood coming from the belt. Any other opinions?

 

It could be your idle air control valve mine did exactly what yours did and that's what it was.

 

I already tinkered with that... but my idle has been sorta low since I've bought it. Also, lately, somewhat sporadically, like once a week, if I'm driving home and put it into neutral while i'm moving at a 40-50 mph, the rpms will drop to below 500, the lights will dim and it will raise again...? I think that is due to an intake elbow leak. But I can't imagine that's helping the other problem. I guess I'm gonna take a few things to get tested. Good thing swapping the alternators on these cars is easy

 

mine did the same thing but I think mine was more the fact I had a dimple in a cam lobe thanks to a lifter spinning in the bore after the spider broke a tab off.

 

Check all your electrical connections. How's your fuel pressure?

 

Mine did that for a few weeks before the fuel pump called it quits. Agree with ss.slp.ls1, check your fuel pressure.

 

well, i'll have to check that today. i've already replaced the pump, but I replaced it with a used 50,000 mile pump. my original pump crapped out at about 130,000 miles, so I assumed I'd have a little more life in this one, but I might as well check. i'll swap out the fuel filter first though to make sure that it isn't clogged. thanks for the tips. i'll also get the alternator and battery tested (the battery is about 8 years old, and the alternator is the original one). i still don't know how either of them have lasted this long.

 

You have an intake leak????????? Is it fixed yet??????

Your lights are dimming cause your idle speed is dropping too low. Not the other way round.

 

Your problem sounds similar to what my '93 has been doing. Mine fell on its face at the track a couple weeks back in eliminations, but ran great while not fully warmed up. Now every once in a while at stop lights etc, at random, it will die or begin to, then rpms raise again, then drop etc...

I am going to be checking out everything I can between now & Saturday afternoon, I'll post back here if I find out what it ends up being in case it helps you out as well.

 

Crows89RS:

Did you scan it for codes?

An intake elbow leak will not affect a speed-density 93 the same way it affects the MAF engines. But if you are concerned about the leak, why not at least put some duct tape over the leak, to keep unfiltered air out of the engine?

What exactly did you do when you "tinkered" with the IAC motor?