Hy there. I just bought a 1987 Bonnie, And I love it. But there are three major problems with it. Number 1) The Engine will not rev to the little crosshatched "yellowline" , and when driving the car does not shift above 3500 rpm, Very confusing.... Number 2) There is a bypass hose on top of the radiator, and the alternator shredded it. WTF ????? Last one.
This morning I went to Turn the key, and nothing happened, All of the accesories work, but the car will not crank at all? can someone tell me why? I suspect the Alternator....My 1992 Buick did that when the Alternator died.
Nywz I just need A little help here....
:?: :P :? :( :o
Oh, Okay so I was bored....

there should be a rev limiter so that when its not in gear, you shouldnt be able to redline it. and you ae saying you have to let off a lil bit for it to shift? where is this bypass hose going to and from? is it stock? whats ur voltage? if you go the money, replace te battery and alternator at the same time. i may not have all the answers, but i try to help

#1 Answered. You shouldnt be reving that thing that high in park anyway.

#2 This sounds like the hose that runs from the radiator to the expansion tank on the fender. Just replace it with the same diameter hose. Cheap and easy. Also, re-route if necessary to prevent it from happening again.

#3 First thought is low batt voltage. Need more info: starter click? lights dim? etc.

I got an '87 as well, a beautiful job on a first model of a new gen! Mine'* holding up well but lets try to help you out here.

Mine certainly does rev to the yellow hatched line when i'm in park or neutral (I don't believe our '87s have rev limiters in that department).

Sounds like that bypass is the hose someone mentioned a few posts up, no reason why that should be within a foot of the alternator since our coolant reservoirs are right to the left of rads but oh well just get new hose and do it right, any shop should cut you a small stretch of that hose for a few bucks, just bring a tiny piece of old hose for dimension purposes.

2) I don't know about that shifting above 3500. Maybe something is up with your trans throttle cable (the one that goes to the throttle body?) and needs to be reset or maybe your vacuum modulator is going bad? ANY other issues going on with your trans? Hard shifts? Slips?

3) For the no-start thing, try getting a jump start from another car, i.e. go through the whole jump start procedure, let it charge up for a while and all and then try turning the key. If this works, you have a low battery which was probably caused by your bad alternator. Many auto stores will test your alternator and battery and even whole starting system for free!
I worked at an Advance Auto Parts this summer and I know we do whole starting system tests for free. Just make sure they tell if you if they want you to yank the alt. and bat. out of the car or if they can do it while in the car (my store does it in or out of car but some don't).

Anyways feel free to send me a message if you need other '87 related help, i have the factory service manual and a chiltons and have done tons of odd jobs on mine.

Mike Diaz
87 Poncho Bon.

I replaced the ALternator, And the Battery yesterday, still nothing, only accesories come on when i turn the key, the lights don't dim, nothing the tempurature guage goes al the way to max like it is supposed to, and the car doesn't even try to crank over.
And to answer Transmission questions It slips, And I don't know how to fix it....

I screwed up, the Bypass hose is on top of the Water Pump....And it goes in to the intake manifold..... And when I said it won't shift i meant this:
Driving on road at 25 mph. ricer comes up to try to pass me, I stomp on gas pedal, car responds, but one 3500 rpm is achieved It'* like it hit a brick wall, the rpm drops to 3g, and all my power is gone.....

You have some serious issues with your car.

First of all, a little troubleshooting would be best before changing expensive parts. I would start with removing and cleaning all battery cable connections at BOTH ends, and all connections at the starter. If that doesn't solve your starter problem, come back to us.

Change the bypass fitting and hose before driving the car, or you won't have a car for long.

The ECM (Engine control module, or computer) has a rev-limiter built in if you're in park or neutral. The limit should be at or close to 4000 rpms. Reving when not in a drive gear is VERY bad for your car. Don't do it.

Your shifts are not controlled by the computer. You don't have an electronic shift transaxle in an 87. Your shifts are vacuum controlled. Look for vacuum leaks, etc. What does your trans fluid look and smell like?

ok first,you need to learn not to beat on your bonnie.. ..ur tranny and engine are gonna hate u

2nd,there is a cable ,the kickdown detent cable that tells your tranny when NOT to shift,cause its bad to shift at more than 2,700-2,800RPM'* for the 4t60'* i believe?
i drive my bonnie everyday and i never need to go above 2,000 RPM'* to get her to shift up.

just my 2 cents,i own 3 bonnies and they all run great,cause i never rev them up..(cept the 88SSE has tranny issues)

$10 says the first time you or a future owner (if ever) rev them up, they'll run into serious problems if the car'* never been revved all its life.

I mean, considering my SSE is the family car, dad takes the tach to 3000 regularly. Helps to clean out the motor too

yeah,occassianally i rev it to 3,000...but regular oil changes and such,pressure valve tested,engines are in great shape...i dont beat on my cars...learned that after going from 5th to 2nd in my 83' caravan and the tranny dropping out of the car...