Ok, so here is a great one for you, but first some background. The vehicle in question is a 1989 Trans Am, with a 305 TBI. MIL light is off. Oh, and despite me living near the Jersey Shore, this vehicle was never submerged in water. Hell, I've never even hit a mildly deep puddle in it.

So anyway, I was just beginning to troubleshoot a no-start condition (fuel pump is not running). Before you say, oh that's your problem, here's what you do... that is actually NOT the problem.

The real problem is that when the ignition is set to off, and even with the key removed, the check engine light stays faintly illuminated and the electric fan is running. We were able to run the car with controlled doses of starter fluid, and noticed the check engine light is off with the vehicle running. Additionally; the fuel, volts, temp, and oil pressure gauges are not working. They all stay pinned at the bottom of the gauge. I forget if the tach/speedo were working.

So, gentlemen, my question to you is this.... Where or at what should I even start looking?! I figured I would ask to see if anyone on here has had a similar issue before I start going crazy looking for something grounded where it shouldn't be. Additionally, would anyone know if this could have a common cause, or am I just lucky enough to have multiple systems fail at once?

 

you appear to gave a major ground issue , go over the wiring .preferrably with a FSM for your car. 3rd gens DO NOT like moisture!!

 

Thanks, that's exactly what I didn't want to hear. That's what I figured though it might be, but it never hurts getting a second opinion. And I was looking for any excuse not to have to start tearing into the harnesses. Oh, and what do you mean by FSM?

Thanks again though for the input

 

FSM = Factory Shop Manual

They can be found on EBay usually.

I agree it sound like a ground issue.

 

I have a FSM, just bought off EBay. Let me take a look.

 

 

 

 

Hope this helps....from an 85 book.

 

Thanks guys. I usually just use alldata for my schematics and trouble shooting, but I do have a fsb from before I got access to alldata through my shop. I do like the fsb for its portability though, and alldata is tricky to find some stuff in at times. I know there is a huge amount of accumulated experience here, specifically for our cars, which is why it was my first resort. I don't think I've seen a single f body come through the shop in the few years I've been there (other than mine lol), so I'm still limited to my own knowledge on them.

I won't troubleshoot it for a while, maybe not until it gets warmer out, but if it turns into something crazy I'll post it here so everyone knows the outcome.

 

pull the fuel pump relay, see if you get 12v on dk green/white, continuity to ground on black/white, and the 12v feed is on orange. the 12v on the dk green should be the prime from pcm so it will be on for a few seconds when you turn the key then go off