good day all, newbie here

ok, to start this is the wife's car and it is an 88 firebird w/ a 305 and tbi injection, ... so I could really use some help here. I am not Fuel Injection nor computer controlled car knowledgeable so please bear with me.

2 days ago while adding water to the leaking radiator, she tried to start the car to circulate the water and when she engaged the starter, a puff of smoke rolled up from the starter area. So I investigated and found a fuseable link burned up and replaced it with another fuseable link. It burned too in the same manner and action. But I noticed this time that another small puff came from the back of the carb breather, when I looked into this I found the aftermarket chrome air cleaner base had (after many years) rubbed a hole in the large red wire going into the external distributor coil. So I replaced the burned link at the starter after romoving the breather and it hasn't burned again.

Now comes the part that I am stumped on...
NO fuel pump sound
NO coil spark
NO power at coil (wire that rubbed through)
NO injector sound or fuel spray
NO turn signals
NO dash indicators

got headlights, radio, interior lights, brake lights, tail lights, four way flashers - but no blinky blinky (turn signals)

the wife is freakin out on how she is gonna get to work 2morrow and she didn't think the "bicycle" comment was at all funny... the bruises will heal and don't show much if I wear a hat

sorry didn't mention this
checked all the fuses under the dash - all are good
have no power going to the inj-1 and f/p-inj-2 fuses with the key on in the run position
have no power at the ecm-ign fuse either with the key on

engine spins but not even a cough - even when I splashed a little fuel in the tbi

I have checked all the fuseable links I could find and have power on both sides of them
couldn't find any fuses under the hood
which relays should I check and how??

used a test light to check the power sources through the fuses and pulled each fuse individually and tested with a handheld fuse tester (and made sure I wasn't holding the fuses by the legs)


PLEASE HELP... ANYONE W/ A CLUE

 

What about getting the starter tested? Check bulbs. Man that's all I know how to do.. lol But I wish you luck-- alot going on there!

 

starter spins and engages but no fuel pump, no fire and no tbi action

 

They should be able to test your ECM @ autozone. I had one from a previous car tested their...

 

Check for power at that pink wire going into the distributor. The power runs to the interior in two seperate wires, each of which controls different systems. It sounds like you still may be down a fusible link.

 

"Check for power at that pink wire going into the distributor" w/key on or off??
and would this also stop the fuel pump and injectors - cracked open the fuel lines and there is no pressure and no pump sound
i have no power at the ecm, inj-1 and f/p-inj-2 fuses or fuse trerminals at the block

 

i just located a ?relay, I think? that looks suspicious... it has 5 wires going into it and a couple of them look rough, the whole unit is crumbling kinda, it is located just above the bulkhead connector and is mounted horizintally whereas most are mounted vertically. the number on the top is 14078907, that is the only markings on it. the plug has 5 flat terminals lined up end to end like this - - - - -, 2 gold ones on left then 3 silver ones. can't find anything in the book about what it is...

 

The relay looking thing is the ESC Module - it has to do with retarding the timing (Electronic Spark Control) - shouldn't be a problem yet...

Look in the fender behind and to the side of the battery - there will be a wire that ends there with a fuse holder on the end - check that fuse - if it's blown you'll get no fuel pump working, and who knows what else.

Also, there are two relays mounted behind that support bracket that holds that ESC module - one is for the fan, and the other for the fuel pump. Take them both off, and swap them, and see if that makes any difference - if it does, one of them is bad. The relay for the fan has one or two wires that are much larger than anything going into the other relay. If you swap them, and the car starts, then you'll need to replace the one that is now on the fan.

And - I've found that, after the wounds heal and scab over, putting the hat in the dishwasher on the top rack usually gets most of the blood out!

 

the fuse near the battery is good
found no relays by the "ESC" module
one relay on the firewall near the blower fan is on a bracket for 2 relays but there is only one there (has been that way since we got the car)
can't read the lettering on the top of it (and as I wipe it, the lettering gets worse)

 

The relays I was talking about are on the driver side, between the brake booster and the fender, on the firewall. But I was really hoping it was the fuse beside the battery. I'm at a loss as far as all the problems - I was just trying to get your fuel pump going again hoping that at least the car would run.

Remove one of the hubcaps and put it under your hat - maybe it'll help with the wife later.

 

The power to the distributor (coil) should be hot no matter what the key position is. Check that large pink wire, if you have no power you have another blown fusible link.

 

i do not have power at the large pink wire goin to the coil, but i have checked the 3 fusible links at the starter and all 3 are good... i have been told that the power for the coil wire comes from a F/L at the starter?? is this correct??
the suggestion has also been made of a now burnt ignition switch??

 

changed dizzy module (under suggestion) made no diff (had new module checked too) gonna go for the ignition switch next... can anyone tell me how to check it for failure?? and why am i missing the fuel pump relay mentioned earlier in this post (said it was on the firewall tween the brake booster and d/s fender? can't find the "convenience center" listed in the haynes and chilton books for further relay and fuse location? anyone have an educated (personally experienced) guess on the location of these items on an 88 firebird sport coupe w/305 TBI??

 

You could check the ignition switch... But IIRC the power for the coil comes right from a fusible link at the starter.

 

Not an 88, My 91 Firebird (305TBI) fuel pump relay is also on the fire wall (as above mentioned) at the TOP of the wall between the drivers side fender and the steering column >> 2 big black fuses next to eachother. Mine was the one closest to the fender. I replaced mine. Wish I had an 88 to let you know for sure!

 

well as an update - I have found, after dropping the panel under the column and the column one large red wire that is melted ALL OVER THE PLACE more than anywhere else. So now I get to stand on my head for a couple days and rewire the dash

 

At least you found the problem! Good luck....

 

yea... at least

 

you have more than one fuseable link you have about 7. check them all - i think its a link problem.
pm with your email and i will send you the page of the manual dealing with the links and where they are.