305 TBI wont start, ran fine before storage
 

Greetings, i have a 305 TBI in a 89 camaro RS. I put it in store , under a tarp in a lot for a month or two. Before that it ran awesome, started everytime. Now i go to take it out of storage, nothing! Day one i went to take it out, it just sat there and cranked and cranked. THen started after using alot of starting fluid and what not, but killed seconds later. Then it wouldn't even make a noise. THen i put a new starter in, along with new battery. That got it cranking again, and it just plain wont start, just sits there and cranks. So i toke off the air element and put a small amount of gas inbetween the air cleaner. Turned the key then bam it started and ran just fine. On the way to the gas station to fill the tank up with new gas, it kills a couple blocks later. Now it just sits there and cranks and cranks. NOTHING, i mean not a hint of starting, just cranking. When i bought the car a month before i stored it, it had a fuel filter in the passenger seat. Could it be the fuel filter? IF so, where is it located on the 89 camaro RS 305 TBI ? If its not that, what else could it be? Thanks!!!

same thing happened to me. Try checking the fuse located by the battery on the passengers side. Its in a little black fuse holder. It controls your fuel pump I think. Let me know what happens.

ok
 

i remember seeing a electrical cord that ran by the battery and simply ended in a fuse. i was pretty sure that it was not blown. is that what your talking about? i will take a picture of it in the morning. any other ideas anyone?

The fuel filter is underneath the car somewhere in the area behind the rear driverside seat. It may even be a little farther back than that.

It sounds like you are not getting any fuel. It could be a clogged fuel filter.

sounds like a dud fuel pump or relay. Does the pump come on for 2 seconds after you tun the key? How does it sound?

could also be bad gas...

i dont hear anything when i turn the key forward and hold it there before turning it enough to crank the engine. where is the fuel pump located on this 89 camaro rs? thanks

The fuel pump is located in the gas tank. I know, it sucks. You have to drop the tank and most of the rear suspension to get to it (however I seen a vew posts on here where guys have just cut a hole in the floorboard under one of the rear seats.).

Anyways, the first thing you'll want to do is check to see if the pump is even working. Turn the key to the ON/RUN position. You should hear a sound coming from the mid-back of the car for about 2-3 seconds. If you do, the fuel pump IS working (check the fuel filter then).

If not, it could be the fule pump fuse and/or relay. IIRC, the relay is located on the firewall, far driver's side.

Goodluck,
Mike

I had the same problem. My car was throwing a code while this was happening, too.
Pour a little gas down the throttle body, and it would start and die. Definitely fuel related.
I believe the code was 12. Does that sound right? I think the code said that it was an oil pressure switch that had been tripped.
Basically, what happens is if the ecm can't sense the oil pressure (thinking that there's no oil), it stops the fuel pump's operation.
I took it into a GM dealer, and when they tried it, it started fine. The problem appeared to fix itself even though I was beating my head on it for a month.
This was the only time my third gen wouldn't start (other than for some obvious other reason).
Check the codes/oil pressure switch.

I think Code 12 is the code that it throws everytime to tell u that it is working properly I think. :confused:

Oh, yeahyeahyeah, I remember now.
It wasn't twelve, I remember that now. I did get 12, but you get that everytime.
I wanna say it's 43, but I've guessed enough now. Take a look a your code, and at a code book, and get back to us.

12 is the normal code when no malfunctions are present. This code means "no reference signal." AKA the engine isnt running.

My 91 TBI does the same thing. Thats why I am getting ric of the TBI and going carb. And don't say its a fuel prob I replaced the pump and filter last year and it has only been run 4 times since.

Have someone watch the "Injectors" when you crank. I bet they spit fuel. I know if I spray a short burst of starting fluid it starts like a charm. BUT no normal amount of cranking will get the damn thing started. It has pissed me off to no end, and thats why I decided to swap.


You may want to check your plugs, wires ect just to be sure. I know mine are new. I replaced just about everything in the firing system including going to a hotter coil to still have it sit there as an overgrown paper weight. Though it does have the "hard to get" iroc flat spoke rims. So that makes 2 sets of rims I have for sale, the other being off a 95Z polished aluminum 16?x8 if anyone wants em make an offer. I have had the damn things for almost 3 years now... sitting aorund...

I will bet 10:1 it's your fuel. Did you use 87? 87 Gasoline especially from places like Arco will tarnish quickly... Most of that tarnish lays on the bottom where your fuel pump is sucking that stuff up. To see if your fuel pump is bad try starting the car and than go to the cap... take it off... hear anything? No? Than fuel pump problem... if yes, than it's just bad gas... I mean if you put gas in there manually and she fires right up... That's your best indication... But you should also be able to see the spray or "spittle' on your injectors when trying to crank over... There is some stuff out there called miracle marvel or something that is supposed to help that... It could also be good gas, but you have water that settled in there, I have had that happen to me. You could try water remover? But you need to remember these are old tanks and when gas sits in there for a long time it lets all the crap on the sides fall into the tank... Hope this helps

James :D

Nother thing to keep in mind is that the fuel pump (i think) is controlled by the oi;l pressure... No pressure or faulty switch and the pump wont engage after the initial two second run to prime the system. Also check to make sure the pick up coil and esc module in the dist. are in good condition and that it has spark. Also check to make sure its properly timed and plugs properly gapped. All that caused me to have a helluva time starting mine when i first got it.

That fuse by the battery is for the ECM, not the fuel pump.

Re: 305 TBI wont start, ran fine before storage
 

I am having a VERY similar problem with mine. It hasnt been driven in like a year other than a few miles up and down the street. It has been sitting for about a month with just the occasional start. It ran out of gas at one point. Then, I putmore in it and it STILL wont start. What could my problem be? ALSO, before i parked it, if I tachedit over 3000 when i was driving it would start to sputter, what causes that? Thanks in advance!
~Kevin

Re: 305 TBI wont start, ran fine before storage
 

How long have you tried to crank it at one time? My s-10 did that. The oil pump or engine was going. I had to crank it for 1 1/2 or 2 min to get it to build oil press and turn the pump on to start it. Or I usually just put some gas in the TBI. Ran just fine once it was going and had oil press.
Crank it for a min or 2. If your oil press gauge dosen't move try a sending unit, if that's not it, it's probably the pump.

Re: 305 TBI wont start, ran fine before storage
 

I have a 91 RS Vert doing the same thing. Its been sitting for 14 years. I cabn get to run for a about 15 sec and then it shuts right off. I did notice that it wont start until the oil pressure is up and off the chart. I just changed the coolant temp sensor and its better. Someone suggested the Vac line on the MAP sensor maybe plugged or broken. No codes showing. I think i will start with the oil pump.

Re: 305 TBI wont start, ran fine before storage
 

i had went thru the smae problem, it was my fuel pump that was bad, and hte hose that connect the pump to the sender had a slit in it. thats where i would start first b4 doing anything.

Re: 305 TBI wont start, ran fine before storage
 

'camaro,

I took your advice and dropped the tank. Same deal as yours, The hose connecting the pump to the sending unit was like a soaker hose. It leaked everywhere. Changed that and put in a new walpro pump and it runs. Smokes like hell but it runs after sitting for 13 years. Thanks for all the help everyone!!