Hello,
my name is Jim S.
My brother bought a 1986 Pontiac firebird trans am with a factory tuned port injection motor; about 10 years ago... it was manufactured in 11/85...
it has just been sitting ever since!! So, I decided to take it off his hands!!!
When he got it; it was not running, and he was told that all it needed was a fuel pump!! He tried to drop the tank and got about 1/2 of it taken apart when he decided to just pull up the back rug and cut an access panel to it from the top!!
Which he did and installed a new fuel pump to no avail!! the car still would not start: and he just left it covered in the back yard!!
I piddled with it off and on over the years until I took it over last summer!!
I have replaced multiple parts my latest being the computer and still no luck!!!
when I turn the key on only a few gauges start to move and only the seat belt light lights up!!!
it will turn over and if I hit it with some Either/ starting fluid it will crank up and purr like a tiger!!!
I’ve checked all fuses and relays and all the things 1 would normally think of!! but I CANNOT GET THE FUEL PUMP TO TURN ON TO SAVE MY LIFE!!!
UNLESS I run power straight from the battery to the Fuel PUMP IT WILL RUN PERFECTLY!!!

I have come to believe that it might have something to do with the VATS alarm system!!!
I have Read & Watched so many videos & articles about how to bypass the VATS system or been told that I need to buy a VATS delete chip which there are many to choose from, or to unplug the "BCM" Body Control Module while starting then plug it back in after it starts!!!
But I have also been told that the 1986 model did not have a VATS system or a "BCM",
or that there is a fusible link I could put in somewhere to bypass the alarm system!!
or it is the neutral safety switch, or I need a new key switch but if I did that the KYE SWITCH would have to be SYNKED to the Computer?? Or to do this or that!!!
I am begging for someone who has Some knowledge of my year of firebird or trans am as it has the markings of both!! To please tell me decisively tell me what I need to do so I am no longer just throwing money at it!!!!
Thank you for any assistance in advanced,
Jim S

 

Wrong section of the forum for tpi .
no vats or bcm
is it just running for a few seconds when you spray it with starting fluid ?
Or are you just missing fuel pump prime ?
The ecm controls the pump relay green/white stripe wire for a 2second prime.
There is a fuse next to the battery have you checked this for power ?