problem with 1988 lx

[jimjj]

just bought a 1988 festive lx it has a problem motor was just put in not by me it runs but you drive it like 3 miles it will quit then re start ??? any suggestions were i should start? it is a carb engine it has new fuel pump

[GenevaDirt]

well start by looking under the passenger seat....if there is a tray under it then you need to remove it and send it to me. Then you might notice a difference in the way it runs....lol.

Not really sure what the problem could be....I am sure you will get some people helping soon.

[zoe60]

Possibly ignition module in distributor? Some auto parts placed will test them for you. They are cheaper off of Ebay though.

[eurotiva]

Check the pickup coil in the dist.

[jimjj]

if it were the coil it wouldnt start would it? it will run till it gets hot then quit it will start back but want take gas till it cools off again? maybe ign coil i know the ign switch is bad it want turn reaaly hard with key iam going to replace the ign switch first prob ign module those things are pricey thanks for help any other suggestions?

[Sparky]

Actually, mine did the same thing, jimjj....it's an '89 carby and once it got warmed up, it would sputter, then quit. Check that coil with a multi-meter...fixed mine right up.

[jimjj]

k thanks sparky:happy1:

[Sparky]

Thanks for the popcorn, man! Hope that gets you back on the road!

[jimjj]

problems

ok i got a chance to check it out more i got it started drove for bout 4 miles did not shut off like guy said it would i bought it from, i had to turn idling up some round a grand so it will stay running i did notice when it is cold you have to pour gas in carb or use starting fluid to get it to start seems fine after it warms up they put a new fuel pump on it said motor that was put in it had 86,000 miles iam wondering if maybe the lobe on cam is wore and just is not putting nuff gas to the motor i checked the fuel filter it is only filling up about a quarter of the way any suggestions and yes the ign switch is bad you have to play with it after you start it to find just the right place so the heater and motor fan will work i have ordered a new ign switch iam going to put in

[zoe60]

There is supposed to be a plastic spacer between the fuel pump and the head (about 3/16") I've heard they won't pump enough fuel if it's not there. Might check that.

[WmWatt]

check for a clogged fuel line? the pickup screen in the tank can get dirty. access to tank is through hatch behind rear seat.

[jimjj]

ok update i have drove the car several times it did quit on me today i has put a couple of gallons of gas in it i cranked and cranked when it quit would start back but when you try to give it gas it would quit i put another gall gas in it cranked and ran fine gofigure when it was dying befor i put gas in you could rock the car and it would speed up? trash in take or pick up in tank stopped up??? i have it running now but i had to turn the idling up to bout a grand to a grand and half if you drop it below that the car will die. i also notice that when you put your hand over carb while its running it gets faster and seems to run smoother? is it getting to much air from some were? i did notice when they done the motor swap they only put the back 2 nuts on the carb so there is no nuts on the front 2 studs isit possible its sucking air there were d i start?

[zoe60]

You need to get that carb bolted down! Hope that fixes it cause when I first got my '89 LX the distributor vacuum advance was leaking bad. May be your problem. Hope not though cause distributors aren't cheap and you can't get the vacuum advance by itself. Hook a clean vacuum line to the distributor and if you can suck air through it it is bad. Good Luck!

[AlaskaFestivaGuy]

Yes, the carb needs to be securely bolted down. On my AK '88, there's a 3/16" or so thick black hard plastic gasket-like thing between the carb and the intake manifold with electrical connections. I'm thinking it might contain a resistive heating element to heat the carb body to prevent ice formation inside. If that part's not there, the holddown nuts might bottom out on the threads and leave the carb loose despite the nuts appearing to be "tight."

One winter 7 years ago, some bozo in Girdwood, AK who claimed to be a mechanic gave me my car back with ZERO nuts holding the carb down. I stumbled 30 miles up the highway to Los Anchorage in sub-freezing temps before figuring out what was wrong.