1991 XLT starts and dies?

[bigredone]

Here I am again with another problem related to my 91 XLT. I've noticed for the last few weeks there will be moments when I'm driving the car will die momentarily in traffic always when I'm coming to a stop. This morning I go out to get her started and she starts fine. I hop in when I hit the brake to pull out of park into reverse it loses all power. Go under the hood wiggle the terminals around again we have power. Start her up, hit the lights, again dead in the water. Played this game for about thirty minutes until I had to walk away. At no point was I able to apply the brake to switch gears, or turn on the lights without the car dying. I imagine its an electrical issue which are always the most fun. Anything helps. Thanks

 

[Wolfie_85]

First and most obvious things first: Check your cables. Not just the terminals, but all of it. They can corrode inside, too. Not to mention at other connecting points. Get a multimeter and check your battery and alternator. It sounds like your issue is somewhere in your charging system if turning lights on does it.

 

[natenkiki2004]

Do as Wolfie said but I'd be curious if you can rev the engine ever so slightly and get the lights to come on. Very possible it's electrical but I'm also wondering if there's too much load on the engine and your IAC isn't working right to compensate.