1988 305 TBI, was driving great last night. I did notice two things, the SES light kicked light up on the highway (hasn't done that before) and also the driver's headlight was dim (hasn't done that before). Went to go start it just now, it fired, stumbled and died. Now it will not fire. I can hear the fuel pump running, it seems to be running longer than usual after I turn the key off though.

Anyone have any ideas? I'm going to head out in a few minutes and see if I can find out some more.

 

Scan it for codes.

Connect a spark tester where you can see it while cranking ▬ is there spark?

The dim left headlight is unrelated but might be a dirty or corroded connector.

The pump running longer after you let go of the key is due to the oil pressure switch ▬ don’t worry about it.

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Happy Racing!

 

I got it to start, I held the gas pedal about halfway down and it stumbled and sputtered for about 30 seconds and finally kicked in. Now it seems to be running ok. What do you think could have cause this? I'm probably going to replace the battery cables, the positive wire from the alternator has been spliced before and it is separating down by the fusible link. Could the wires have caused this issue?

I noticed now the fuel pump is shutting off like normal, about 2-3 seconds after the ignition is off.

 

Once you scan it for codes you might know more about it.

Because it cranks OK you don’t have an alternator or battery cable problem even tho you should replace the cable that’s beginning to separate.

If the problem doesn’t recur you you might never know what the temporary problem was.

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Happy Racing!