I just bought this car to get me to and from work but I can't figure out what the heck is wrong with it. It fires right up when you turn the key and runs like a champ until it heats up, then it stalls so abruptly that I cant even go for the gas pedal, then you have to let it sit for 15 minutes before it will start again. So far I have replaced the PCV valve, ordered an igniton coil, replaced the secondary fuel filter, pulled the fuel cut off relay while running and it stalled after 4 minutes, cleaned the warm air flapper which was gummed shut, and it stil does the same thing. Thanks a ton for the help I won't be able to get rides to my second shift job too much longer.

 

I had an 89 lx that had pretty much the same problem. I'm pretty sure most of the 88's had a carb on them, i know my 89 did. Try adjusting the idle screw on the carb, my would run fine until it warmed up, then when i'd press the clutch it shut off. Just use a long phillips screwdriver and tighten it up. its worth a shot.

 

Thats not the idle adjust screw, the idle adjust is around the back of the carb, black **** with a common screw in the middle of it. all Lx models had carbs, LXi is the fuel injection version.
The problem as described by the original poster sounds like a possible choke pull off problem, or a vacum leak in a diapram control unit.

 

Checked for vaccum leaks, couldn't find any and the choke appears to be functioning correctly and when it stalls the choke is at roughly an 80 degree angle.

 

http://www.3geez.com <--- everything you could possibly want/need/never know. I'm going to bet vaccuum leak at the base of the carb. Also possible the float is dried out and needs replacement. Those carb ones are REAL finicky. I had four of them. I just stripped it all off, got a Weber carb