I have read through most of the issues that are related to the non-start after an engine swap (in this case 1985 to 1988), but I cannot seem to see a good solution to my problem. I have the following problem: the car has spark, fuel pressure checks out okay, the fuel pump primes like it should for 2 sec and runs for about 1 to 2 secs after cranking, but I cannot get the injectors to pulse. I have shot a few millisecond grounds through them and the car will fire when I do that. I have replaced all parts on the distributor, so hopefully it isn't anything on there. I have 12v to the injectors on D15 and D16, but when cranking I do not get any switch to 0 or near zero. I am assuming that the computer is okay since the fuel pump primes like it should, but that either the ESC or the ignition module (new) are the culprits. Is there a way to bypass either of these items to determine if they are the problem? I would like to get this thing running before the first snow! Are there any sensor readings that the computer is looking for that would prevent the car from starting?

 

CHeck the fesable links by the starter. I had an 87 Formula 350 that would not start to save my life, OR it would run for a split second and then stop and I could not get it to start again until I let it sit for a min or two then it would fire and then not start again.

Long story short one of the 3 fusable links that go from the starter to the other parts of the car was shot, I cought it by accident when I unwired it from a poor wire job after a rebuild by a previous owner one of the wires came right out of the link... I fixed that, a new rotor, a new #1 injector, new spark plugs, new Electronic spark controller and another Distributor I had laying around and it fired right up... (took me 2 weeks of screwing around before I got it running.)

Also check and make sure your distributor is not 180° out of phase...

John

 

I checked the fuseable links by the starter, those are the only ones that I have, and the fuse for the IGN by the battery as well. Those all checked out okay. I made sure that the distributor was in correctly by using the following procedure: make sure that compression is starting on the #1 injector and move the timing mark to zero. Then place the distributor rotor between the #1 and #8 points on the cap. I am getting spark to the plugs and can even get the car to start by adding fuel manually to the system, it is just not doing it by firing the injectors. I suspected a ground issue for a while but the grounds all checked out at the ECM along with the other components of the fuel system. That is why I need to know if there are any of the sensors such as the MAF or TPS that would not let the injectors fire.

 

It sounds like you have a VATS problem. You didn't say what year computer you are using but your profile shows a 1990 Camero. If your vats system malfunctions your fuel pump will prime (1-2 secs.) but your injectors will not pulse.

 

I have wondered about that as well. I believe the ECM is from an 88 camaro, but it is a remanufactured unit. The car in my profile is another in the "fleet". I suppose the only good way to find out exactly what is on the chip is to have someone with PROM burning capabilites look at it.

 

Its not the ECM that determines VATS, its the Cal Pack or the Program, check the chip and verify the broadcast code...

I am useing an 89 chip in my cars but I have the VATS disabled.

JOhn

 

So if it is indeed VATS this would cause these exact symptoms? Is there any way besides looking at the program on the chip to determine this? Are there any sites out there that still have the broadcast codes listed? I have searched through some of the old posts and none of the sites with them seem to be up anymore.

 

It may be easier to get the broadcast coad from your chip and punch it into Yahoo, or ask on the PROM board

John