Hey guys, I've been working on my car for the past few months hoping to finally get it started. It won't! I swapped in a 355, and when I turn the key, it won't fire. The fuel pump doesn't come on either. When I turn the key forward, the security light comes on for a moment and then turns off, as does the airbag light, but the buzzer doesn't sound. It's been so long since I started my car, I can't tell if the latter is normal or not. I should mention that I bought a new ECM, and have tried both the stock chip and an aftermarket one. Is it the VATS? Also, I spliced an in-line fuel pump into the stock harness. Maybe this was done incorrectly. The black wire is negative, right? Purple positive? The gray wire was just taped over. Is it a ground? Please help. I need to get this car running soon. My parents are getting impatient with me keeping it here at their house (and so is my girlfriend!).

 

Definatly check the VATS. Do you have a multimeter? If not, get one, learn how to use it and check to make sure the ecm is doing it's job. When you turn the key a lot should happen. Steering wheel release, shifter lock release, fuel pump relay, all that good stuff. To check if the fuel pump relay is working, just have somebody turn the key over while you hold it away from the car. It's right up on the drivers side firewall. Take if off the bracket and if it flips over then you know that isn't your problem. Does the car turn over, does it click like crazy when turned to start position? Give us more details on what you've tried etc. We can usually figure out the problem if you tell us what you've done and what results you get.

------------------
, Jon (350 TBI!)
91 Red My website

 

Thanks J. Boy do I feel stupid. I went to go check the fuel pump fuse, and it wasn't there! There was no fuse in the plastic housing at all! Could this alone be the cause of my problems? Also, the ground strap (the one that goes from the block to the chasis) isn't connected. I was trying to figure out how to mount it correctly. Could this be it? I don't have a multimeter, but I do have a test light. How do I check to see if the ECM is operating correctly?

 

Well, I put a fuse in, and still nothing. The relays click like they're supposed to but there is no buzzer when I turn the key forward, and the fule pump doesn't prime. Maybe I hooked up the fuel pump wrong? What wires go where when you hook up an external pump?? I figured black was negative, purple positive, but I wasn't sure where the grey wire went. The end of it had been just taped up. Any ideas?

 

One of the wires should be for the fuel gauge. In my truck it was purple. Take your purple wire and your grey wire and hook them up to the test light. Have someone turn the key and see which wire gets the power. I'd suggest buying a manual, even if it is a cheap Hayne's manual. They will probably have a wiring diagram that is halfway decent. You also need to hook up the ground to the block. Does the motor turn when you turn the key? How long has the battery bee sitting? you might try to recharge the battery. It is possible that the VATS isn't functioning properly, but I am lost on that point. You want to make sur ethat everything is wired correctly. Then start figuring on other stuff.

------------------
'87 Silverado
350 4 bolt main bore .040 over
TB Injected
Ported and Polished heads
Comp cams 268h cam and top end
Flowtech headers
3.73s on Detroit locker

 

I figured it out. I had the fuel pump wired wrong. You're right. The purple was to the gauge, and the grey was power to the fuel pump, after looking at a wiring diagram. Now if I can just get this distributor stabbed in right, I can fire it up tomorrow!