My T/A still refuses to start! It has fuel pressure and the pump primes but no spark! The ign module is good--coil is iffy(gotta get that tested but I swapped a known good coil w/same no start problem). Also changed the proms and ecms--vats seems to be ok also.
do reluctors go bad? How would you know when one was bad? went to parts store and he said it might be that--no expierence w/that.
BTW--it's an 86 T/A converted completely to 89 drivetrain--harness, ecm-everything!
Thanks for any help.

 

Forgot to add--the tach used to move when I was cranking it over now it doesn't--does that mean anything?

 

well Im thinking along the lines of the ignition module inside the distributor or a pick up coil since you said the tach dont even work anymore its not sending out any RPM signal.

 

Definitely isn't the ign module--had it tested and it checked ok.
any other ideas maybe? don't want to pay someone to look at it.

 

ok well I am wondering if the ignition module is getting a signal from the pick up coil then I would check that out or even put one in because I dont think they are that expensive.

 

Do you mean the remote coil? I tried a known good one w/no change.
Or am I misunderstanding you?

 

ttt

 

you misunderstood, the pickup coil is the small coil down inside the distributor. To repalce it you'll need to remove the dist and disassemble. And if I were going to go that far..I'd rebuild the entire dist, just to be on the safe side.

 

The pickup coil is also known as the condensor. It's a little silver can about an inch long with a black wire coming out of it and it's mounted in the bottom of the distributor. It's cheap. Replace it.

 

ttt

 

is there a way to test those? Also--when you rebuild a dist what should be replaced and is it something I can do myself? Never done one before.

 

The dist can be rebuilt in a couple of hours. I don't know if GM still sells the kits for this or not but should include new bushings and all electronics in the dist with the exception of (I think) the module.
The gear is held on the dist by a roll pin through it and the shaft, just tap it out with a proper sized punch and start the disassembly.

 

Ill second that its not hard to rebuild one I had to do it to my old 86 SC because of things failing in it. just take your time and make sure you get it back in time when your going back together and youll be fine.

 

Being that you said it as been converted to a 89 everything. I think you most likely have a VATS problem. Is this a TBI or TPI engine??

 

If its a VATS problem though it shouldnt even crank over at all. I would also check all your powers and grounds to the ECM and the ignition system to make sure that something didnt go wrong during the conversion like a loose ground or something.

 

Not true..all systems are a bit different. Yes, some disable the starter, but most disable the injector pulse or spark. My 89 TPI VATS disabled the injector pulse. I can turn it over all day long.

 

Thanks for all the replies guys!!
It's an 89 350 tpi motor and electronics. car ran great til I dropped the dash. I bolted all grounds back up that I had to loosen(but anything is possible). The security light goes out(after lighting for a sec when the key goes in)I checked the injectors and they are pulsing(noid light)--fuel pressure is there. How would I check if the ecm is grounded right?
BTW--there's some kind of thing w/heat sinks on it and looks like there's a huge lithium battery in the middle of it(not a batt but looks like one)it's near your knee under the column. I had to stretch the wires going to it(splice). anyone know what that is for and what it's called?

 

Possibly an amp left in there from the previous owner? Never seen anything like that under my dash.

 

Arrrgg, double post.

 

Definitely not an amp--it's oem. someone mentioned it once a long time ago but I don't remember what it was.
It's small-a little bigger then a big match book I guess.

 

I know what you are talking about but Im not exactly sure what its called or what it does. Im pretty sure its some kind of resistor though maybe for the lights or something.

 

Finally figured it out--it was the aftermarket coil the whole time! I swapped another coil in there and it started right up!! Runs like a raped ape!!!

 

Thought I'd bring this thread back from the dead--turned out it was the coil the whole time!! Funny thing is I previously put in a known good coil and it still refused to start.