tonys91rs

iTrader: (17)

91 305 5 spd w/ 91 s/d tpi swap.
im riding along and sudden loss of power. kind of like when the knock sensor does it. however, there is no ses light. its like in a limp mode. i did notice the speedometer quit working when this happened.
i get home and check all sensor connections and look for anything unusual. i dont find anything. engine appears to idle without issue.

with no ses, i have no idea what it is..

utilityguy2

iTrader: (1)

Possible loss of VSS signal.

tonys91rs

iTrader: (17)

well now i cant get it to start. all fuses are good, fuel pressure is at 40 on the rail, i switched out ignition mods and checked the cap plugs and rotor. would the vss prevent it from starting?

utilityguy2

iTrader: (1)

No, but VATS would. does the fuel pump prime for a couple seconds with key on? Do you have spark?

tonys91rs

iTrader: (17)

im hearing the fuel pump prime and its showing pressure at 40. while turnig it over it was day light but i can hear the snap with a scew driver in the coil wire so im sure its getting spark. the vats fuse was good as well.
if its the vats, why all of a sudden did it give me loss of power, kill the speedo and now it wont crank?

i get no codes and cant figure it out.

89RAG

MY CAR IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM!! is it possible that a short in the guage cluster could cause this? havent checked the diagram in my FSM yet... just a thought.

tonys91rs

iTrader: (17)

i got mine to start again and have been checking everything. i have no idea at this time what it was. i reset my timing and discovered all the bolts in the plenum and runners were loose. its running good other than a slight surging. im going through everything and if i find anything else, ill post it.
let me know if you discover something as well. it is possible a short in the cluster is it.

89RAG

Well i've been chasing this stupid dragon long enough.. Car is going to the General's house of worship monday>>> his goons can figure it out!!

Roccos 89 IROC

did you check all your connections including the wires ran to your starter because all the wires run to your starter and then on from there

RRUHL

similar issue at a hude loss here 91 350 tpi started the other day would bog if u even more then slightly touch gas replaced iac tps nope timing nope....then i put way to much fuel injector cleaner in it lucas, now wont start so drained the tank new fuel still wont turn over for more then 2 seconds maps good all vacuum lines seem good minus missing egr soliniod capped tb vacuum pulled 2 day old plugd they were black cleaned putem back alil better for a couple cranks everytime i pull them there black cant get it to idle at all also speedo not working since problem? all other guages fine...any advice seriously appreciated

utilityguy2

iTrader: (1)

What is fuel pressure? Back to basics, Spark and fuel. Need them both.

89RAG

ALL CONNECTIONS ARE GOOD ON MINE. CAR TURNS OVER TILL THE COWS COME HOME. I'M REALLY THINKING THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD BEHIND THE CLUSTER MAY BE CAUSING THESE ISSUES..... WE'LL SEE WHAT THE DEALER SAYS ON MONDAY.

utilityguy2

iTrader: (1)

On the 89, if VATS is bad (switch) (key worn) or the pass key decoder is bad the injectors will not fire and car won't start. Check with noid light to see if firing.

89RAG

VATS IS FINE. FUSE IN SECURITY LIGHT GOES ON FOR 2SECS THEN OFF. FUSE PULLED VATS WORKS LIKE IT SHOULD. STARTER SIGNAL AND FUEL PUMP ARE SHUT DOWN. I REALLY DOUBT ITS A VATS ISSUE THAT ALL THESE CARS ARE SUFFERING FROM. HAS ANYBODY EVER TRIED HAVING THE DEALER DIAGNOSE THIS PROBLEM??

Craftman555

As old as these cars are, VATS is a common issue with these cars not starting. I've had three Third Gens in the past couple of years and had the same VATS issue with all three. It's a very simple fix..... The "chip" as most call it in the key is nothing more that a resistor of a specific value with a terminal on either side. Inside the ignition switch are two brass prongs that make contact with the resister and register that the correct key is installed. After many (20+) years the brass prongs get dirty and prevent a proper connection. I just sprayed a little electrical contact cleaner into my ignition switch and inserted my key in and out several times, allow the electrical spray cleaner to evaporate and VIOLA starts right up!

89RAG

PROBLEM SOLVED!! ALL IT TOOK WAS AN HOUR'S LABOUR AT THE GM DEALER AND THE CAR RUNS LIKE A CHAMP!

utilityguy2

iTrader: (1)

And? what was the solution? Helps others to let them know.

tonys91rs

iTrader: (17)

hour labor? i agree, what was it they did so it can help the rest of us..