FireChicken!!

ok so it does like this

this is for my '91 3.1 MFI OHV V6 Firebird, wanna keep it all original, as it is now.
I only have experiance with a V8 383S Street-Strip 91 Firebird, which was my first car, i had to save gas so i bought aother 91 V6

First, i replaced the alternator because the engine would just run the battery dead after it had charged all day

One the alternator was replace the engine runs fine for the most part,

but once i turned off the car, the battery voltage meter read between 8 and 13, which it should be between 13 and 18 if everything worked right.

Turn the Key, TICK TICK TICK TICK, DEAD...WTH?

check the alternator, all wires are hooked up
Batter wires are fine and tight on the battery, ground wire is properly secured.

Is my battery nonredeemable?
Its been charge and run dead multiple times because the alternator didnt fail right away, at some periods it would place a minimum charge on the battery.

Do i need to replace my battery before looking in to more problems.

Another thing is i noticed it wants to skip in idle from time to time, is a spark plug fouled or not firing? (also when i let off the gas it wants to bog down a bit. the engine light turns on and the car gets back to 850 RPM and engine light checks off.) any suggestions, will be glad to hear from anyone! I dont want my baby to go bad, i wanna keep her till Death! I <3 My 91 Firechicken

novafirebirdguy

Well first off with the car not running, 8-13 volts is completely normal. It's a 12v battery and you actually have a 9v starter.

For the second problem, if you can't remember the last time the car had a tune up then you need one. Replace the sparkplugs, wires, dist cap, and rotor. You can replace the coil if you feel like too. If the SES light is coming on take it to advance and ask to use their code scanner.

FireChicken!!

Thanks Will do,
but Just recently put Duralast Spark plug wires in and a Accel Coil, Just bought this car, the guy said the plugs were new.

The plugs are Crappy Autolight Plugs and have rust on the side of them and the tips are black as mess!
so imma go get me a set of plugs

FireChicken!!

The Main thing was the car want start it just tick tick tick tick, Battery is dead even after it should have charged.

FireChicken!!

So fired the car today after charging the battery for about 2 hrs, the car ran slightly smooth at first, Magnaflows had a very very nice low growl and a small back burn after getting off the gas. Alternatoor kept engine running and Kept battery alive, it crunk after being turned off, --> Good sign(Duralast battery is good)

But Once again Problems.

it is burning very very rich, and using a large amount of gas to run.
So rich that after standing behind the car. i took a shower, i can still smell the burn gas on me.

After being drove for a short distance, i stopped and the car began to Idle VERY VERY VERY Choppy. I pressed the gas, and it sounds normal when past 1200 RPM. Let of and the RPM needle is constantly moving up and down between 750RPM and 900RPM. Seriously sounds like a Comp cam in a V8.

As the Car run, the choppy sound got worst till eventually it would fall below running RPM and i would have to get back on the gas for the engine to run again.

Please help, I need this car done by the weekend!

Thanks to anyone with some info on why this car is Choppy.

*Has new plug wires
*has New Accel coil

Could it be a spark plug isnt firing?

84CAMARO28inFL

Ok, something is "Sucking the juice out"

How is the started itself?

I had "Crank no start" all i had to do was keep foot on gas . Wasted $80- that night. That i didnt have ! ! !

Also, if your batteyr is not holding a charge or taking one, it is likely a cause. PLEASE get it LOAD TESTED some part stores just check voltage, that is not an accurate test. LOAD TEST! or volt test it in the car........ with a voltmeter thats different.. will tell you a lot!

84CAMARO28inFL

My car is kinda sorta like your,s i have a 2.8

I had a wicked VACUUM EAK
i just RTVd and blocked off with dimes the WHOLE Air Valve..... i have a carb, though.

My car gets as bad or worse gas miealeg than a Hummer SUV and im not exactly sure why.

I fixed the vacuum leak, it runs "Smooehter"
but it still has an issue or two
i also have a melted Choke wire, that probbal has everythign to do with hit too. im going to use thiicker Oil until i get i figured out.. and then still use thicker Oil, to overcompensate for what appears to be Fuel Dilution (Its going somewhere, im not gonna lose en engine to fuel dilted oil, its resilietnt so far.)

hope this helps bud. CALL A MOBILE MECHANIC IF YOU HAVE TO!

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

First off, get rid of the Accel coil. I had one. It's junk. I still can't believe I wasted $45 on that thing. They're not meant for daily driving and overheat REAL fast.

Second, check all of the connections between the battery, alternator, and starter. Something may be loose or corroded. These cars should be about 14.5 volts charging.

Third, you do realize that every time the battery dies the ECM resets and you have to go through the idle relearn procedure, right?

Last, check the MAP sensor vacuum source and wiring. Measure the voltage between the green wire and the gray wire with the engine off and then running. And then check for any other possible vacuum leaks. They can be anywhere and everywhere, between a stuck-open EGR valve (quite possible, sounds like) and leaking valve cover gaskets.

FireChicken!!

Thank you Maverick,

The EGR is missing a Star screw!
How the heck did it even come off the others are so tight i broke a Craftsman star drive on em. Free Replacement =) but were can i find a screw that will fit were the missing one is?

Also the Exhaust Sensor, My dog must have chewed the wire off the sensor, Thats a problem right?

Tomorrow im gonna check the Mapp, all the wires to the alternator and Battery are properly hooked and tight, no corrosion.

What would be a Better Coil? Any price range.


82Camarofl:

"How is the started itself?"

When Charged it just bump the Key and Whala!

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

Chances are that now you're going to be looking for a new EGR valve, and they ain't cheap. More than likely, if the other screws are that tight, the one didn't come out, it broke. And they're difficult at best to drill out.

Yes, you will probably want to replace the O2S now that the signal wire is broken.

Only better coils than what you have are either a stock replacement or an MSD Blaster 2 or 3 coil, relocated to the bulkhead or somewhere away from the exhaust. I had a thread on this sometime within the last couple of years.

And don't go out driving again until you figure out the power problem and get the idle relearn done, or it will never behave properly.

FireChicken!!

Ok thanks alot man! Really appreciate it! I will let you know how things are going once I get the parts replaced!

FireChicken!!

So i got the O2 sensor today,

But i noticed there was no wire hanging that connected to the previous one.(Dog must have eatin it)

so were and how do i hook this Sensor up?

Also pulled Plug 3 and 6

Both were Rusted and the tips were black as night with no lights.

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

I seriously doubt your dog ate that far up into the engine bay... Check the harness where it comes over the trans bellhousing for a single purple wire by the part of the harness that runs off to connect to the MAP, ignition coil, and EGR valve.

Pull all 6 plugs and replace them... The fouling could be one source of the problems, or the end result. Either way, I'd stick a spare set of plugs in. And check the spark at one of them to make sure it's nice and bright white and not dull red/orange.

FireChicken!!

ok i got the O2 sensoer hooked up.
Now i want be able to get Plugs untill i get paid this week, so Thurs or Friday ill probably have them.

Was thinking of getting Some E3 plugs.


Also i ordered my EGR it should be here within 7 days...or thats what the Shipping said.

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

Don't get E3 plugs. You're wasting your money. Plain old copper AC/Delco R43TSK plugs will do just fine, and you'll spend almost half as much.

FireChicken!!

will do then

FireChicken!!

Problem fixed, New plugs, MSD Coil, and a new EGR, runs smooth, but how do i do the throttle relearn process?

Project 3.4 Camaro

It will automatically relearn when the battery is disconnected and reconnected, sounds like you had a vac leak at the EGR or overheating IC, if you still have the battery issue, either the battery is shot, its being drained by something, or your alternator isn't working.

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

No, it won't... The 730 (keep in mind it's a 92) requires a relearn process when equipped with an auto trans. The 730 uses the IAC "vacuum leak" in the fueling compensation tables and requires "learning" the closed throttle air leak.

Do a It's been posted quite often (maybe someone should make a sticky as it gets asked so often).

FireChicken!!

its a 91

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

Still has a 730... GM put those in in 1990... Have 2 in my garage for my 91 harnesses as well.