89 Chevy Beretta GTU

[nightopal21]

Hello. I have a 1989 Chevy Beretta GTU, 2.8, 5 speed manual, with 137,000 original miles.

My main problem is the car will start but stalls within a few minutes, or when I try to drive it down the street. I have the digital dashboard, that came with the the optional package; the battery gauge and the oil gauge go down to nothing, thats when the car dies.

I have had the top half of the engine rebuilt, new thermostat, new water pump, new battery, new plugs and wires, and too much more to name.

I love this car and I just want to drive it.

Can anyone help me out?

[91retta]

im not to sure but i think it might be your vacuum lines maybe check them. something like that happened to my 3.1L when i put my new motor in and that was what it was. hope this helps you

[SuzukiGhostRider]

Could be a weak alternator. I would be very concerned with that oil pressure dropping to zero.

Get a charging system test at a parts store. Almost all do it for free now.

Check your OPSU (oil pressure sending unit) , be sure it's attached to the plug correctly. If it is, put a mechanical OP gauge on it to verify ACTUAL oil pressure.

Good luck.

[Barry]

Dont worry about the oil pressure, of course it drops to zero, the motor is not spinning anymore.

Sounds like a alternator/battery/power circuit issue.

Do the headlights dim when this happens?

[Asylum]

It's likely as simple as a bad ground.

Check your battery cables and the ground on the negative cable.

Of course the gauges will go to zero when the engine stops running as Barry stated correctly. No rocket science there!

The fact the engine has been apart suggests something is likely loose.

It's almost certainly something simple. Check all your connections.

[SuzukiGhostRider]

Dont worry about the oil pressure, of course it drops to zero, the motor is not spinning anymore.

Sounds like a alternator/battery/power circuit issue.

Do the headlights dim when this happens?

Yeah, except he said the OP drops to zero , THEN the motor dies....