I've searched the archives...cant find anything. I have a 350 in my '89 RS...and just took off the old Lo3 TBI setup in favor of an '88TPI setup. When i finished up, started it up, checked everything, took it for a test drive...I got about a mile down the road, and the car just cut off while I was driving. Then it wouldn't start back up! I checked all fuses and the injector fuse blew, so i replaced it, but it wouldn't start back up. All fuses after that were fine, fuel pump is coming on (yes i put in a TPI fuel pump), spark plugs are getting fire, has plenty of gas etc. I got a test light grounded to the chasis and poked the red wire (power wire i think) to each injector (to open the injectors up), and the car fired up, but then died right away. So I thought it might be the ground to the injectors, but they were grounded. I didn't think to see if the security light came one...but I dont think '88 had vats (my '89 did thought...maybe that's a problem?) It cranks over and sounds like normal startup, but wont start. Keep in mind that it initially ran, but cut off WHILE I WAS DRIVING....I'm sure there aren't many things that would cause that. I need help BADLY....thanks guys.

 

Are all the ground leads tied to the engine properly? I know you said you had spark, but how about the ignition module.

 

Yea, we've checked and rechecked, but all grounds are right. And as far as I know....the ignition module should be fine....I used all the ignition components from my car rather than all that came w/ the TPI, since I know it all works. Get this though....

Now I'm REALLY comfused. I know 2 guys w/ an '87 computer, so I borrowed theirs to see what it would do w/ theirs, well the car fired right up (with both their computers), but then died right away. Same result a few times. So then when I tried to start it up, I gave it some throttle to keep it from dying, but it died the second I pressed the petal....it's like the injectors wouldn't put out the gas the motor needed to keep up w/ the amount of air I let in. Same result every time...start up, die. I just put a TPI fuel pump in the tank....so unless it already messed up or they gave me the wrong one!! But it does come on and start the car. Can the fuel pressure regulator mess up?? Today I'm going to check the fuel pressure and try and read the trouble codes (w/ my computer). If anyone has any Ideas, PLEASE help, because if I dont get this fixed by monday when I go back to work, I'm screwed!

 

put a timing light on it and see if your loosing spark when it dies ,
and put a fuel pressure gauge on it with a test light wired into the injector harness ... see what your loosing when it dies ,
spark , fuel , compression ???

 

Almost sounds like the problem I had with my fuel pump. Definitely check pressure. My problem was the rubber hose connecting the pump to the hard line. It had a hole in it. It would pump up enough to start, but that's it.

 

I checked the fuel pressure yesterday...it's not even getting up to 5 PSI!! Someone mentioned something to me about a hole in the rubber line (the one you're talking about)....but I can't see any leaks? I would think that if there were a leak, it would be visible w/ the pump pumping out 50 PSIs ya know?

 

leak could be inside the tank .....

 

My leak was in the tank. Hose that connects pump to hardline.

 

That has GOT to be it....unless it's the FPR. But a LEAK wouldn't cause me to only be getting 2-3 PSI would it? I mean I'd still get SOME FP right?

 

I had about 5 PSI. Enough power to hook a hose up so I could pump the gas out. Made the tank a little lighter To check your FPR, put a clamp on the return line. If the pressure goes up, it's the regulator.

 

Problem solved guys! Turns out it was that little rubber hose in the tank...it split, causing the lack of pressure. Man, I've always said that when there's a major problem, it's usually caused by something REALLY simple. It's funny how a rubber hose no longer than an inch can cause such a huge problem...I'll tell you what though...I may have pulled some of my hair out over this, had to take out my fuel pump TWICE (and if you haven't done it....it's a PAIN), and not had a car for a week....but I've learned so much while trying to figure this out that I have no regrets, I'd do it all over again. Thanks for you help guys, you've been a big help! Especially RCR...thanks.

:lala:

 

Ah...shucks... Glad I could help...