88camaroswag

I recently bought a 1986 Camaro Sport Coupe with the 305 4bbl (LG4 I believe). When I got it, it ran like a champ! But then one day, after driving it to a thrift store, out of the random, it wouldn't fire up at all. I let it sit for a few hours there (cause it was like 103 outside lol) and replaced the icm. It started right up after that.

Drove it home, and the next day, nothing. It would then only start when it wanted to, not all the time. 3 weeks passed, and it would not do anything. I replaced the coil, distributor cap, rotor and icm (twice) around 2 weeks ago. As of today, i got a new ecm and still nothing.

I'm losing my mind on this, and I don't know why it won't get spark!

P.S. I do get fuel and there is good compression on all of the cylinders.

Tuned Performance

iTrader: (92)

88camaroswag

thanks, I will look into that later today and let you know if that was the problem.

Tuned Performance

iTrader: (92)

naf

iTrader: (7)

just purchase a new distributor. your old one's probably near wore out anyway and the cost is negligible. should come with a new ICM anyway.

88camaroswag

Naf, I did end up getting a whole new distributor and it did run after that! but then i ran into another issue that happened about 15 minutes after we were timing it via rotating the distributor. i turned the key, it tried to start, and then i got nothing. no engine cranking, no nothing.

I figured the battery may have been slowly dying from me trying to start it while timing it, so i let it charge overnight. i tried again today after work, and i got nothing. i've read on some forums here with people of similar issues and they were saying it could be the neutral safety switch, starter, starter solenoid, maybe a fuse, etc. any ideas on what it could possibly be? it was running super well before this happened, by the way. everything was working normally.

naf

iTrader: (7)

with key on are you getting any power to anything?

88camaroswag

i am getting power to everything else including the radio, all lights (interior and exterior), gauges, etc. when i turn the key, i get a buzzing noise behind the gauge cluster (i think its there, im not 100% sure) and the temp gauge flutters. the battery is at 12.7 volts when sitting and 12.3 volts when i turn the key, so the battery is good. so is the neutral safety switch and starter, as my friend and i tested yesterday. we are thinking it could be the starter relay, but we haven't been able to find a wiring diagram showing where it is to diagnose it. does anyone know where the starter relay is on an 86 camaro with a 305 4bbl v8?

Tuned Performance

iTrader: (92)

88camaroswag

no, it won't crank. all i get is a faint noise behind the gauge cluster, i believe. it did get spark before the problem occurred, as i replaced the distributor and fixed my no spark problem.

naf

iTrader: (7)

look for 12V to the starter batt connection, the large gage wire to the starter should show same as batt voltage at all times.

If good, you can test the starter by applying 12v to the starter terminal on the solenoid. connect a jumper to the smaller gage wire connection on the solenoid and the starter should engage and spin the motor.

sounds like you may have a weak battery though.

88camaroswag

I will definitely try what you said later today hopefully. And also just to clarify, the battery I have is around 2 years old, maybe a little newer I'm not 100% sure. I don't think that is the problem, but I guess anything is possible, huh? Haha

88camaroswag

so it ended up being the starter that just suddenly stopped working. i replaced it yesterday and it magically started up! lol

now all i need to do it time it properly and she's good to go!