Hi I have a 91 rs convertible. The only mods to the l03 are: kn open element with top plate, msd blaster coil, msd wires and a 40 series. Oh and it is a 5 speed. I dont know if any of this will affect your answers but just in case.

The Problem-

I was on a drive with my spouse. I hadnt driven the car in about 5 days. I dont drive it daily. We were on a country back round when i felt a bit of sputtering. I just filled it up. I assumed this to be the clutch as I know its getting close to replacement time. I turned around and headed home. I slowly throttled the engine to see if it would sputter again. It was hesitating a bit. THEN as i was accelerating gently to the speed limit it died. It just shut down going about 40mph. I put it in neutral while still moving pushed the clutch and cranked it over.....no start. I coasted to a stop and kept trying. The engine turns over and at one point sputtered at me to try and start but to no avail. On the short ride home (TOWED), I have come to the conclusion that it is the fuel pump.

But now that im home and calm and reading I realize I dont have the expertise to pinpoint whats wrong. My dad who sold me the car thinks its the ignition control module (???). Does anyone know if it could be part of the tb or clogged fuel filter or pump or what.

How do I check?
What should I do?
I plan on modding in the future, should I buy accordingly now?

PLEASE HELP!!

 

There is a test connector for the fuel pump on the pass side harness under the hood. You can connect a 12v power source to that and listen for the fuel pump to turn on.

 

Thank you! I will try that asap. Is there anything else you know of that could also do that? Im just wondering if its not what else i should check. I have a tvi rebuild kit I havent used yet. Should I crack it open and do that too jut to be safe?

 

SOOOO hopefully I get a response. ITS NOT THE FUEL PUMP. Yay. I am getting high pressure fuel sprayed in the bores. So, its spark. My blaster coil is new and hooked up correctly. My plugs and wires are pretty new and of good quality. Ignition module? where is it? could that be it? My dad said he replaced the cap and rotor before he sold it to me but he is old and has a bad memory.
Any ideas would be great!

 

The ignition module is under the distributer cap. Make sure the wires are connected to it and not falling off. It is possible it could be bad.

 

Many times when its the module you hear a distinct pop before it will go out and then it will then never work again. It's cheap to replace so its worth a shot. Just make sure you buy an AC Delco one if you want it to last any length of time.

I hate to be the one to say it but I think its probably the fuel pump. When the stock fuel pump dies it will work when the car is cold. Once warmed up it begins to malfunction.

You should check your car for codes. If its the pump it will most likely have a code 53 or 54.

 

Definitely check and re-check all ignition connections.

I believe you can check for spark by holding a screw driver (with a rubber handle obviously) about half an inch from each spark plug wire disconnected and check whether the spark is jumping the gap, it should if it is indeed operating properly.

The only other way I know how to check for spark would require a timing gun or oscilloscope.

 

Don't want to holler foul but, the fuel pump can still go bad and still run. Need a fuel pressure reading. Looking down the throat won't tell you if you have the proper pressure.

 

I drove mine with a bad fuel pump for a month. It would run like garbage and idled extremely high, and would sputter and kill all the time. Most times it wouldn't run for more than 10 minutes before the car would become undriveable lol. I'd have to come and pick it up in an hour or two.

 

I agree... just because you have fuel, doesn't mean it is at the right pressure. i have the same issue with my car right now that i am trying to diagnose. so far it's leading to the pump. Get a fuel gauge and hook it up to the fuel rail on the passengers side. It should read around 40psi plus or minus a few.