I was letting a friend borrow one of my cars since his needed an alternator changed. I told him not to let the car run out of gas. He called me and told me that the oil light was coming on whenever he turned. I knew that to be a sign that the gas is empty(previously happened to me) but he said he just filled it. Then while driving it cut out. He said that the fuel pump is priming when turning the key. The car was trying to start, but just wouldn't. After trying that a few times now it just clicks.

He also added oil so that rules that out. Ok, so I guess the fuel pump is running, has gas, has oil, shouldn't be the starter since it cut out while running.

What could it be? Bad battery? Bad alternator? Something else altogether?

Any ideas?

thanks

Did he add oil before or after the light came on?

If it comes on when turning usually means you are low on oil, which Fiero's are notorious for not liking. Damage ensues.

Have you checked for spark?

It could possibly be the ignition module, which is a common failure.

[This message has been edited by Xanth (edited 10-08-2006).]

Something similar happened to me about a year ago. Not the oil light coming on when turning, I have never experienced that even when the gas was low. But the cutting out and not restarting when you know that you have gas, oil and a good battery.
I checked the wire connectors between the coil and the distributor and the throttle body to make sure that they were all seated completely. Sure enough, one of them was not completely connected. When I pushed it down and tried to start the car, problem was solved. Hope your solution is as easy as mine was.

quote Originally posted by Xanth: Did he add oil before or after the light came on? If it comes on when turning usually means you are low on oil, which Fiero's are notorious for not liking. Damage ensues. Have you checked for spark? It could possibly be the ignition module, which is a common failure.

he added the oil afterwards. I don't really think the oil was low before hand anyways. I rarely even used that car. I have my fieros to work on when I get time. Not my daily drivers. Hell, I would drive my 88 before anyways. Not that I don't like the 87, just that it's ac isn't working and it was too hot recently to mess with.

no, I haven't actually done anything in terms of checking what is wrong with it besides ask him questions. It is at his house and I don't have a lot of free time working 12 hour and 13 hour days. I will have more time in a week when I get some time off.

Just trying to gain insight into the possibilities so that I can go over there on my time off with plenty of ideas to check out and hope that one works.

If you don't believe its oil, then I would check the Ignition module and coil when you get a chance. If you have a haynes or chiltons manual it should have the testing procedures.

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