Car will not stay running...
 

1991 firebird 305tpi automatic trans

i drove the car fine the other day with no problems, i go to start it last night and it cranks over fine and starts but i need to give it and hold gas to keep it running. as soon as i let off the gas to let it just idle the car stalls out. start it and again hold gas it runs to letting off the gas and the cars lights go dim and it stalls out.

any ideas this ever happen to anyone?

someone told me alternator... someone told me idle control valve.. but both are relatively new from the local Autozone

thanks

is the alt new or rebuilt? Just because you got it fresh from the store doesn't mean it's always good. Some can be defective.

when it is running, does the check engine light come on?
if so jump the diagnostic terminal in the ALDL connector and itll flash the code(we can explain how to do that) once you have the code, it may be easier to track down the issue.

from what you're describing, i'd rule out the alt. If you had to jump it everytime then maybe, but if it starts up right away always then no.

the check engine service engine soon light does not come on until the car stalls out

so now what haha

fuel filter?

once it stalls out, it would be normal for the light to come on, so that isnt any help..

hmmm, try looking for vaccum leaks, see if the idle screw on the TB is messed up, or look for any broken or damaged connectors, loose wires etc. Id say check the maf but since its SD that can't be it.

fuel filter or vats

fuel filter shouldnt affect that if the car will stay running when the gas pedal is depressed. and same with VATS, he says the car will run if rpms are held up, its more something to do with the idle.

if i held the gas down on my car it would run buit otherwise it would stall....i changed the filter n it ran beautifully

the lights do not dim so its not the alt or battery... the motor kinda runs a lil choppy when i hold gas to keep it running...

the car has a fresh tuneup new plugs and wires... stock cap and rotor tho... it has a newer icv and whatnot...

but the car will not start and run until i press the gas 1/4 way down... then it runs sorta choppy like its missing and running rough....

i never changed the fuel filter and have noo idea where it is anyway so hopefully thats it... i wish it through a code so i can scan it.... and if it was a vacuum leak wouldnt it hiss and it wouldnt stay running....

any help is greatly appreciated

fuel filter should be under the divers rear seat and is very easy to change as long as you have hardly and gas to no gas left in te tank.

Check the IAC motor for proper operation, then check fuel pressure for bleed down, you might have a bad/leaking injector

it was the idle air control valve... thanks

no problem, sometimes I can fix cars...

Sick bro! You should open a shop or something! :p