My 87 has been grounded last night to sitting in the backyard until I can trust it again. In the past week it has stalled and died 3 times. Once whlie coasting to a stop light, once while already sitting at a light for a few minutes, and once after making a turn around and accelerating. Can't find any good reason for it. I do all maintenance myself so I know everything is good. New plugs, wires, crank sensor, water temp sensor. Have cleaned throttle body and and ran fuel injector cleaner through it. It just dies and will not crank until you let it cool for a few minutes and then you can crank and it will go again. I was not driving the car at the times it has done it so I don't know if the fuel pump was running when it was being cranked. There are no codes in the computer. What should I do to pinpoint this intermittent problem? I guess it is something electrical or fuel related since it cranks back up again. Help

Would have said a dirty Idle Air Control except that you say it died while accelerating (IAC will not affect). That brings us back to ignition (will likely not set a code) or fuel.. Since it is a flat out die and not "runs rough", my first thought would be the ignition module or the crank sensor or the associated wiring (fuel or secondary ignition would probably have some component of rough running). Healing when it cools off sounds electronic (Ignition module).

Is as far as I can go on something untouchable, but are the "usual suspects".

Thanks Padgett, I was thinking the same thing about the ignition module. It does run a little rough while idling, but this motor never did run perfectly smooth. I think I will remove the module and go have it tested to be sure.

Ok, I went to several auto parts to try to get my module tested and none could test it. Does anyone know a place that can test these modules?
I took throttle body off and removed TPS and IAC. Back of throttle body is dirty. IAC motor is not dirty and neither is the bore. The MAF has some sludgy dust deposits on it. Will try to clean with alcohol and Q-tip. The plenum is grungy inside but no real solid deposits seen. Fuel rail is holding pressure after several days sitting unused, which leads me to believe my fuel injectors are not leaking by. Don't see anything that would be causing the intermittent dying.
Question: Does this car use the oil pressure as a safety? I have heard of some cars that tie the oil pressure switch to the fuel pump relay. Is that the case with these cars?
Any other ideas will be greatly appreciated.

You are correct about the oil pressure switch. It takes over shortly after start-up and the fuel pump relay is no longer needed to run the pump.

Autozone has a Wells device that can test ignition modules but my experience is that they often show a module that will not run in the car as good.. Having replaced all of my Magnavoxes with Delco ignitions, I have spares and usually just swap to test. Suspect as these cars continue to age, certain things (e.g. ignition module, O2 sensor, oil pressure sensor) will be things you just keep on hand for when, not if.

The only cars I have ever had with a perfectly smooth idle were running both rich and retarded., minor occasional stumble at idle in drive is not unusual.

excuse me for this question but have you checked the basics?
Like water in the fuel?
Fuel pressure? Filter?
Battery connections and engine ground?
Ignition coil?
Gas cap?
IAC campaign recall?

Thanks for the responses. Yes I have checked most of the basic stuff. i do regular maintenence on it and it has been in the family since brand new. I have not actually put a gauge on it though to test the fuel pressure. I have not ohmed out the coils either. I changed the filter yesterday and the old one was clean.
I went to the dealership today to order my new IAC gasket and throttle body gasket. The parts guy seems to think I may have a bad ignition module. Price is $189. Ouch!! I'm going to finish looking through the fuel system first and then try to run it and see how she does.
What is this about the IAC recall?? I was not aware of the recall.
Thanks

Check out this post.
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...ic.php?t=15806
The ignition modules don't generally go on these cars.
Campaign recall is for 88-93 3800 C motors Decell Stall / Crank on start up - New IAC motor # 93-6-5.
Guess yours isn't effected.

Well, just got back from test driving after my repairs. I removed throttlebody and cleaned in carb cleanerovernight. Reinstalled TPS and set for 0.39 volts between B & C terminals. Cleaned IAC motor pintle and seat. Pulled ignition control module off and replaced with new Borg-Warner brand. Disconnected battery to clear memory and restarted. Started car and let idle until fan cycled on and off 1 time then shut off. Restrted and drove to highway. No stumbling and dying so far.