1990 300ZX : Occasional sluggishness, rough idling, Elect. kinks, engine dies...

[Z3DannO]

Runs & sounds awesome, but I have an occasional day of sluggishness (out of a week or two -- I just bought it a month ago). Rough idling and sputtering sound (as if trash in fuel lines). Warning lights all light-up, stereo shuts off and then back on, gets worse until revving no longer revitalises running and it simply dies.

Let it sit a little while and it starts right up and will run a mile or three until all symptoms overpower it once again and it dies. Let it sit a few hours and it starts perfectly, runs great & smooth for another week. I was sure it was trash in the fuel line until I noticed the warning lights and stereo problem occuring only during this problem. Only apparent similarity between events was that both occasions were within a few miles of having to "get on it" and get out of the way of oncoming traffic and both times were below 1/4 tank of gas.

I do know power steering pump leaks some and is near (almost "above") the alternator so it surely gets damp.

Should I invest in having it computer diagnosed?

I would appreciate any ideas/suggestions.

DannO

[180fan]

What you've detailed points to an electrical problem. I think you're on the right track with checking out that leak.