1988 Stalling Issue
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 13
Likes: 2
1988 Stalling Issue
I've got s problem with my 1988 C4 L98 corvette convertible Auto. When driving at certain times ( intermittently) will just stall, as if you just turned of the key and then 5 or 10 seconds later turned the key back on. Here is a list of what I have replaced so far: Fuel filter, fuel pump relay, fuel pump and sender, distributer cap, rotor, ignition coil, ICM, Spark plugs. The other day I was driving it and it shut off for about 20 or 30 seconds. while still coasting it turned back on just as I was exiting a round about. I have had two mechanics take it for test drives and of course it wouldn't do it for them. It does it so unexpectedly that I failed to look at the dash to see if I had lost electrical power or RPM. One of the mechanics said it could be the TPS. Sometimes when it does it, I don't think the car is traveling fast enough for the torque convertor to engage the engine. Anyone have any thoughts. Thanks' for any input..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,188
Likes: 301
That sounds like an ignition issue to me. If it was fuel related, you'd probably feel it stumbling a bit before shutting off as the fuel pressure in the rail decays out.
But an immediate shut-off is typically ignition related. And particularly the fact that it sprang back to life like that.
Some other possibilities could be...
1.) Faulty wiring at or near the distributor. If you unplug the connector from the distributor cap, then put a voltmeter on the (+) wire. Then turn the key on (but don't start the engine), then jiggle the wiring around and see if the voltage drops out.
2.) Intermittent connection in the pickup coil (the thing under the rotor inside the distributor cap).... the ICM loses the signal and thinks the engine shut off.
3.) Intermittent connection with the wiring on this thing inside the distributor
But an immediate shut-off is typically ignition related. And particularly the fact that it sprang back to life like that.
Some other possibilities could be...
1.) Faulty wiring at or near the distributor. If you unplug the connector from the distributor cap, then put a voltmeter on the (+) wire. Then turn the key on (but don't start the engine), then jiggle the wiring around and see if the voltage drops out.
2.) Intermittent connection in the pickup coil (the thing under the rotor inside the distributor cap).... the ICM loses the signal and thinks the engine shut off.
3.) Intermittent connection with the wiring on this thing inside the distributor
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote