Hi everybody. I'm new to the board, and I'm hoping someone can help me out.

I recently purchased a 91 RS, 5 speed, with the LO3 TBI 305. The car has 25,000 miles and I bought it from the original owner. He was getting rid of it because when he went to take it out of storage this past summer, he couldn't get it started.

So now it is my project. Here's the situation. When you turn the key, you can hear the fuel pump run. But the car won't start. So I started focusing on ignition related parts. I took off the original cap and rotor, which were badly corroded, and replaced them. While at Autozone, the parts guy suggested replacing the ignition module, so I did that as well. So far, none of this has helped. When the car is cranking, if you look into the TBI, I see no gas from the injectors. I am also having difficulty getting a spark from the ignition coil. I switched the coil with a known good coil, and got no spark from that either.

I am by no means a mechanic, but I am reasonably handy with cars. I'm looking for suggestions on what to check next, or possible solutions.

I've looked through the archives, but I can't seem to find anything specific to this problem.

This is a great board, with lots of useful info, and I look forward to visiting often.

Sorry for the long post, and thanks in advance.

 

Did I post this in the wrong section?

 

Try putting a LITTLE gas down the TBI and see if it will crank. Car could have a tank full of bad gas if it has been in storage for a while. Also clean the chip on the ignition key and see if that cures a possible VATS (security passkey) problem.

 

Thanks for your response. I did try putting a little gas down the TBI, and it didn't do anything. With even a little gas in the TB, it should at least sputter, or act like it's trying to start, right? That's why I was focusing on the ignition.

Regarding the bad gas, the car was stored with very little gas in the tank, so when I got it, I put fresh gas in.

I hadn't thought of the VATS as a possible problem. I'll try that.

Thanks again.

 

I would also change the fule filter! You said that the fule pump does prime when you turn the key on but that doesn't mean that pressure is getting past the filter.

You also stated you were having trouble getting spark (or testing for spark). How are you testing it and what exactly were the results?

Right now, it's kind of like looking for a needle in a hay stack, since you have no history with the car and we don't know well (or poorly) it was running the last time the guy had it on the road.

Later,
Mike

 

Check your fuses, one of the other posts turned out to be a fuse keeping his injectors from firing.

If you need a loaner computer chip to disable the VATS for a test let me know and I will loan you one.

 

Thanks everyone for your responses.

I do have some history with the car. The guy I bought it from is a friend of mine from work. The only thing he stated was that before he parked it last, it had begun to hesitate when he gave it gas. He took it in for a tune up, and the mechanic supposedly changed the cap, rotor, plugs and wires. I don't believe him, cause the cap and rotor look to be original. Very corroded, with all kinds of white crud and rust on the terminals, and under the cap.

Maybe I'll check the fuel pressure at the TBI to make sure I am getting sufficient FP. What is the standard FP on a TBI 305?

I've checked all of the fuses.

To test for a spark, I pulled to coil wire off of the cap, and put a screw driver in it. I layed it next to the valve cover, and had a friend crank the engine. I got one very weak spark the first time I did it, and nothing since then. I took a coil off of my truck that I drive daily, and I couldn't get a spark from that coil when I put it in the Camaro either. Is there a better / different way I should be checking for a spark?

How would a malfunctioning VATS system act? Crank, but no start? I tried cleaning my keys, and starting the car, but no difference.

 

BHarris I am having a problem where i cant start my car. I turn the key and there is no crank, nothing happens. My security light lights up my temp and voltage gauge go up but no start. I've tried using my spare key and nothing. I hear a pressure sound from the gas tank when i go to start it and it wont start if i hit the remote start button. In the past the car would start in 5-10 minutes now nothing. Please help me out. Thanks

 

The FP should be between 9-13 PSI.

 

No crank at all. I know on my trans am it's VATS is a little flakey but it will crank and crank and crank but no hits. I have to wait the 15 minutes and then it will start right up.

You could have a bad starter, bad wiring from the battery to the starter, a loose or broken ground wire.

 

The VATS will allow the engine to crank over but it either disables the fuel or the ignition or perhaps both. I don't remember. You might try some searches on VATS.

You have replaced everything that I am aware of in regards to ignition. So unless the power is not getting to the coil or the VATS is disabling it or the ECM itself is bad, I don't know what else could cause it.

You might try using some jumper cables to go from the battery's NEG terminal to the block to see if you have a ground problem preventing the spark.

Have you tried checking the codes to see if it is throwing a security code or anything other than a 12.

I wish I could be of more help.