wabbitslayer

I have a 87 firebird 305 tpi, and it's giving me some problems and im not sure on why it's not wanting to starts. right now it's just turning over, i have checked to see if im getting fuel and i have it. my spark plugs are new and i gapped them with my buddie. i have a new distributor, new coil and new spark plug wires. i checked the fuses there all fine. i have had some problems with the ignition module before and they seem to keep burning out on me, this may be part of the problem but im not sure. any ideas would be great.

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

What is your fuel pressure?

Are spark plugs wet from fuel indicating no spark or are they dry indicating no fuel delivery to cyl ?

You can have good pressure at the rail but if no injector pulse from ECM then injectors won't fire.
ECM needs to see ref signal from dist when cranking to pulse injectors so maybe your dodgy ign module is still giving problems

If plugs are wet then you have a spark problem.
Do you have spark at plug with a plug out of the engine while cranking?

86firebirdta

Im having the same problem with my car.... im gettin pressure at the rails and retting spark, i changed out my ignition module seemed a lil better on wantin to start but still ended up with nothin. i jus bought a re manned comp from a buddy let you kno if that was my problem at least.

Tafsky86

Did you wipe off the di-electric grease on the ignition module? they come in the package with some grease on them. DO NOT wipe it off or they will burn out. I found this out on my previous Camaro which was an '87 350TPI. That could be your problem on why they are burning out.

My car is stranded right now because of the same problem you are having. I was told by several GM techs that they replaced ALOT of ignition modules in these type of cars. So I ordered one and am putting it in shortly here after I leave work. I will let you know how I make out. Maybe I can help you...

wabbitslayer

from the last time i checked i had a blue spark from the plugs but i didnt really check to see if they are dry, and yes i did put the grease on all the times i replaced the module. im going to go mess with her a little bit tomorrow. check some of those things that i may have over looked before.

Tafsky86

I do apologize... no offense meant. I installed the new module yesterday and VIOLA!!!! She fired right up!

I got thinkin about my '87 350 TPI... I put an MSD coil in it and had the same problem you had... the tech put in a GM AC Delco coil... cured it. I know it's money spent but it's worth a try. I was told that there is more to do than put in an MSD coil and parts. I don't know why this is but it seemed to fit the circumstances. I have also heard that from others to. This may be a dumb question, not meant to offend but asas you know it always seems to be the simple things that get us, ya know? lol... is your starter good? A re-manned AC Delco is dirt cheap.... I think I paid like $30 for it. Maybe give it a couple hits while someone starts it... just brain storming. I had that happen to me on the '87 also.

I wish you luck and hope that helps. Please keep us posted... I'm curious how it turns out.

86firebirdta

i tried puttin in a new comp yesterday and got a lil backfire... for me its back to timing it again.

Tafsky86

Another silly question... is the distributor in the right orientation...? Have you solved the issue since your last post? have you tried retiming the car? did you unplug the nescessary plug, which is usually above the AC unit...? just bouncin ideas

64elko

car truning over but will not start,,got good spark,good fuel pressure, plugs good..dizzy mod new was changed 5 months ago...

wabbitslayer

ok I TDC the car, and im getting spark to the distributor from the coil but im not getting any spark to my plugs now. i replaced my iginiton module and it did the same thing no spark to my plugs, only from the coil. my distibutor is new less then 150 miles on it, and the cap is new as well. it seems like there is something going on in side the distributor thats not wanting to give me any power. im getting fuel and i replaced my starter solenoid not to long ago it's still new less then like 150 miles on that.

henryd3

iTrader: (128)

If you're getting a spark out of the coil, but not plugs, the only things left in the path are coil wire, rotor, cap, and wires. Sometimes the simple little rotor grounds out to the dist shaft and interrupts the whole thing. It happened to me once because it looked fine so I never replaced it. Just an idea?

64elko

have you checked the timing control mod... check your relays on the firewall next to your break booster,check the oil pressure switch by the dizzy on the manifold,,, it's only a 20.00 part... try the condensor in the dizzy..condensor went out car would not run, it is rare but they do go bad,replaced it , got spark to plugs and car started ..
I would also send a privet message to ASE DOC from this site... he saved me and Knows HIS STUFF !
sorry i could not help you anther more...

64 elko

wabbitslayer

Here is the new deal, im going to back up a bit to when it died. it started wanting new Ignition Modules like they were snacks(they keep dieing or getting weak i just knew if i replaced them it would start a few times) then I put one in and try to time my car I drove it down the street about 50ft, and it was acting extremely sluggish. I turned around, drove it back to my drive way and it died. It has been there ever since. I have been messing with it ever so often. today I did some more messing around and found that im getting spark to my spark plugs. My timing is now correct, I put the distributor in the correct location. I believe im getting fuel to the engine (the plugs have some gas condensation on them.) the car is just turning over strong, but no start. I can hear the gas pump prim when I turn the key. I can smell gas from the tail pipe. I don't really know what to check next.......

wabbitslayer

update i took my car to the shop and they said it was my fuel pump that went out so i replaced it and now it has fuel pressure/ spark but still no start what do can i try next

BASSETT IROC 85

iTrader: (2)

Sounds like you may have a bad rotor button. They will burn through the bottom and ground out on the shaft.

wabbitslayer

i have a new rotor...

BASSETT IROC 85

iTrader: (2)

Back to basics. Fuel,Fire,Compression, and Time. May have jumped time, How many miles are on the car?

wabbitslayer

so I forgot that I pulled 2 of my fuses out before I switched the fuel pumps so I put that back in, and now its wanting to start. I can hear some backfiring I believe its just a timing problem from here. I have 170,000 but the only problem I have with the engine is a leaky head gasket. its on the top of the block right above cylinder one, i have a small amout of coolant coming out... which is the possible cause for a little blue smoke from the tail pipe.

wabbitslayer

just got my car to start, now there's a new problem. the car is being very hard to start some times takes me 2-7 trys to get it to start. it turnsover then it starts and dies instantly, the 1st time I try to start it. Turn the key again, and it sometimes starts but will be very sluggish, then I will finally get it to start and it runs fine, but if i turn it off and try to turn it back on same deal it's just being a pain to start. a new problem has come up. its doing the same thing when starting only now I have to feather the throttle to keep it alive if I let the RPM down it will die. meaning it's not wanting to idle. the timing was on last time I did it (used my timeing light) I think some type of sensor is going bad or is bad. just don't know which one it could be.

wabbitslayer

bump