So my sisters '89 Trans Am is not starting at times. There is no rhyme or reason to when it won't start - it is completely random. When it doesn't start, it is still getting gas as we can smell it in the Throttle Body. She is not a wealthy person (I gave her the car) - where would we start in parts replacement? The Fuel Filter has been replaced. I really need help here folks.

 

When did it last have a tune up? Does it have good spark?

 

Not sure about a tune-up - never since it has been hers and unknown before I got it. It was bought on EBay as a Police Impound. It has run fine until a week or so ago. We bought Spark Plugs a while ago - but on closer examination, we decided that trying to change them seemed like a lot of trouble. I guess we'll do that now.

 

well a vehicle needs 3 things to start, fuel, spark, and compression. If its not starting at times one of these three is going away, most likely not compression. A weak fuel pump might start it up for a mins or so and then die also. Check all this first.

 

Plenty of fuel and compression. It's going to the shop on Monday.

 

Is the no start a start and then immediate stall, or does it fail to do anything at all?

 

When it's a No Start, it just cranks but does not fire. It is not a VATS issue as that has been disabled.