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Car Won't Start - 91' Firebird

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Old Nov 11, 2020 | 05:37 PM
  #1  
Cravepain's Avatar
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From: Michigan
Car: 1991 Firebird Formula
Engine: 305 v8
Transmission: 700r4 Auto
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Car Won't Start - 91' Firebird

Afternoon,

I have a 91' Firebird and it's not wanting to start. It ended up stalling at a red light as I noticed the idol went to around 480 before stalling. Once I got it home, it stalled again in the parking lot and hasn't wanted to start since.

There is a new distributor and ignition coil; just put in. I took out the ignition switch and am in the process of doing that, but it doesn't look bad so I'm banking on it not being the cause, but I can't make that call yet. For the ignition coil, the clip broke that holds the wire so I'm wondering if something there is causing the problem, but I'd assume it would still crank if it was coil related.

Here is a video of exactly what is happening. Any suggestions would be great!

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Old Nov 12, 2020 | 06:31 PM
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Cravepain's Avatar
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From: Michigan
Car: 1991 Firebird Formula
Engine: 305 v8
Transmission: 700r4 Auto
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Car Won't Start - 91' Firebird

Update:

The ignition switch did not fix the problem and neither did a new battery/checking connections and wires to it as well as replacing the starter relay.
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Old Nov 12, 2020 | 10:28 PM
  #3  
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From: Manitoba
Car: '91 GTA
Engine: 421sbc
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9" with 3.89
Re: Car Won't Start - 91' Firebird

Check for spark at the plug. Pull it out and hold it close to the header or block and see if it lights.
Then check for fuel.
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Old Nov 12, 2020 | 10:45 PM
  #4  
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From: Melbourne Australia but from South Carolina
Car: 1991 Trans Am convertible
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: Auto
Re: Car Won't Start - 91' Firebird

Originally Posted by Cravepain
Update:

The ignition switch did not fix the problem and neither did a new battery/checking connections and wires to it as well as replacing the starter relay.

Maybe the Vats system?
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Old Nov 12, 2020 | 11:00 PM
  #5  
Cravepain's Avatar
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From: Michigan
Car: 1991 Firebird Formula
Engine: 305 v8
Transmission: 700r4 Auto
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Car Won't Start - 91' Firebird

Originally Posted by LB9GTA
Check for spark at the plug. Pull it out and hold it close to the header or block and see if it lights.
Then check for fuel.
It's not cranking though.
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Old Nov 12, 2020 | 11:01 PM
  #6  
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From: Michigan
Car: 1991 Firebird Formula
Engine: 305 v8
Transmission: 700r4 Auto
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Car Won't Start - 91' Firebird

Originally Posted by yankeecarman
Maybe the Vats system?
The security light comes on and turns off as usual.
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Old Nov 18, 2020 | 02:35 PM
  #7  
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From: Atlanta, Georgia
Car: 1990 Camaro RS
Engine: 3.1L
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: Car Won't Start - 91' Firebird

I would check the starter relay, it's under the kick panel, where the hood latch is located. You can confirm it works by putting your ear next the panel or removing it. Then remove the gauge cluster fuse, this way, your box, the buzzer (when you insert key and makes a noise) will be quiet and you can hear it click. If it hasn't clicked, the relay may have stopped working
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Old Nov 18, 2020 | 02:38 PM
  #8  
Cravepain's Avatar
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From: Michigan
Car: 1991 Firebird Formula
Engine: 305 v8
Transmission: 700r4 Auto
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Car Won't Start - 91' Firebird

Originally Posted by Scratch90RS
I would check the starter relay, it's under the kick panel, where the hood latch is located. You can confirm it works by putting your ear next the panel or removing it. Then remove the gauge cluster fuse, this way, your box, the buzzer (when you insert key and makes a noise) will be quiet and you can hear it click. If it hasn't clicked, the relay may have stopped working
I adjusted the ignition switch again and it started to work. It ran fine. This morning it stalled once again. The idol was adjusted a bit low at the mechanic shop, I think. What should the idol be at when in gear?
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Old Nov 18, 2020 | 06:12 PM
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From: Central California
Car: 92 Camaro RS
Engine: LO3
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: Car Won't Start - 91' Firebird

See that reddish banner across the top of the page? See where it says how tos? There's a bunch of stuff in there that you should consider reading that will be very helpful to you.
Here's a bit from the FI section that is what you need to do. Have fun!
https://www.thirdgen.org/tpimod2/
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