Vinscully50

For some reason or another my TPI is Flooded and I am having a hard time getting it started. The gasoline smell coming from under the hood is very strong. A few times I actually got the motor to fire but as soon as I stepped on the throttle it stalled and died. One time I left it running and after about 30 seconds it stalled out on it's own. The next time it fired to left on one crank but as soon as I stepped on the gas it died.

I can't seem to keep the car running. It's flooded once or twice before but never this badly. Any tips on how to get it started?

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Pull the vac line off of the fuel PSI regulator and check for raw fuel. If you do have gas in it, replace the regulator guts.

Vinscully50

Update. I tired it more last night. The car started making a clicking noise when I turned the key and the lights were dimming as I tried to start it. So my thought was maybe the battery is to low the ignition isn't getting enough juice.

This morning AAA comes, the guy puts the power pack on the battery, tells me to start the key and the car fires to life on one turn of the key! A moment later the car did die then he took the pack off.

He then tells me it's not a battery problem but a fuel system problem and leaves...

Last year I had the fuel pump, the sending unit and the fuel filter replaced. I'm not an expert on cars at all but the problem now sounds more electric to me than just fuel.

Perhaps the starter could be bad or maybe it is the battery just didn't get enough charge from the jump? (I'll see if my neighbor is around if not I'll have to jump the car when my parents get home later this evening).

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Or the alternator is not charging

Vinscully50

Would a standard voltage checker work on an alternator?

The clicking sound is a very fast rapid clicking sound. I watched a few YouTube videos and read a few threads for different types of cars. Almost everyone said this is a low battery issue of the starter not getting enough juice.

Perhaps it still is the alternator though and I am not ruling anything out till I have checked.

Mods: Since this is more than likely an electrical issue please move this thread to the appropriate forum.

johng1

iTrader: (1)

Mine did this one time and it was a loose battery connection.

johng1

iTrader: (1)

The rapid clicking anyway. I'm not sure if the car shutting off is related or not. But, mine was clicking back and forth and the fan started running and it was a loose battery cable.

Vinscully50

Maybe it is a TPI issue. I jumped started the car, the clicking noise went away and the car starts up on the first turn of the key. However it has a rough idle and stalls as soon as I give it gas.

BrutalGTA

iTrader: (2)

Pull every ground wire and clean it up! Make sure the wires have good connections, then check for vacuum leaks. Have you checks the plugs to see how they look?
What about checking out your MAF?

Vinscully50

What should I look for when checking the MAF? Am I checking the tube part where the air passes through to see if it's dirty? What do I check for?

hilltop530

There are 3 relays on the driver side firewall next to the brake booster. (on my 87 5.7 TPI) On mine they are the fuel pump relay, the mass air flow burn off and, the mass air flow power relay. I would start there. The fuel pump relay will make a click sound when the key is turned to on to prime the lines. after the car runs you'll hear another click shortly after the car is shut off. That is the mass air flow burn off relay. If you don't hear the click after running the car, check your mass air flow power relay. (they're reasonable and in stock at most auto part stores). After installing the new one. be sure the wire on the underside of the mass air flow is plugged in tightly. clear the fault codes if any by removing the neg battery cable for a minute or so. put the neg cable back on and Start it. see if that changes anything.