Hi I just bought a 1989 camaro RS with a 305 TBI. This is my first TBI car. When I start it, it cranks fine and starts right up but then immediately dies. I do this a couple of times and probably the third time I give it a good amount of gas and hold the RPMS above idle for a couple of seconds and it still tries to die but then eventually picks itself up and idles fine. There is no check engine light when this happens. Also when I go to drive it, it surges until I pick up some speed. Lastly, the previous owner told me that while he is driving very rarley but sometimes, the check engine light comes on and the car looses power but then when he pulls over and shuts the car off and then starts it back up the check engine light is gone. I would really like some help with this and really don't want to start throwing parts and money at it if it's not the problem. Thanks.

 

Well id say first thing often done would be check your fuel pressure, stock is usually somewhere around 11 to 12. When was the last time it had a tune up? As far as the cel get a paper clip and pull the codes. Even if it isnt active it'll be stored.

 

Ok thanks. I tested and then replaced the IAC valve and it starts right up now. It just loses power in the 2500+ rpm range now and whenever it is in park and I give it gas it goes up and then when the rpms come back down it tries to die and then picks itself back up like it's a vacuum issue. I think I'm going to test the MAP sensor for that problem. I'm not sure the last time it had a tune up but the plug wires look new. I still need to check the plugs. I am wondering if it is a catalytic converter problem that's causing the acceleration problem I am having.

 

If you can get the car started and it will idle than...... What I would do and have done is to create a solid base to work from.
That includes first correctly setting the timing then the minimum idle speed procedure and in that procedure you will correctly set the IACV.
If any of those are off then that's a problem in itself.
That could even fix it because this directly influence the ECM.
If not after that has been done you can start hunting down your problem.
Here's the Gun I have and an exhalent investment/price. =


Once you have a digital tack and a paper clip it should only be a small part of your day.


Setting the timing "first" =
Disconnect the EST wire, start car and idle until the car is at operating temp., adjust timing, shut off car , reconnect EST wire.


Here it is = https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...-location.html

 

hey thank you! I will do this exact thing and let you know my results. I ran the codes and it is throwing a MAT code (23) an EGR code (32) and an ESC code (43). Tested the knock sensor and it's good. Replaced the EGR valve.

 

It could be a bad egr control solenoid, a bad one could allow vacuum to the egr at idle & low engine speeds, which should not happen.

 

I am having a similar issue. It does not happen all the time. Car will idle rough and shut off if I do not press the accelerator. And sometimes that does not even help. It only happens when engine is hot and does not happen all the time (30-50% of the time). I replaced the EGR valve solenoid. I had a new IACV but overtightened it so I had to put back the original 26 year old valve which had problems. I am ordering a new one but hard to determine correct part. Rock Auto lists 2 ACDelco ones. Both show MFI. I have TBI. So I am doing a little more research. Number on original IACV does not match anything on RockAuto. I'll let you know if the Solenoid fixed issue.

 

I replaced the EGR solenoid and IACV and it still idles rough. Next thing I am going to try is to swap the coil. I currently have a Accel coil. I will swap it with the one car had previously. Maybe getting hot is causing the coil to malfunction. It is a long shot but at least I do not have to buy a new coil (yet). If that makes no difference, I may just rebuild TBI. By the way, I have 89 Firebird 5.0 L TBI fully stock.

 

The OP of this literally just described my current problem, minus the while driving issue. Don't mean to steal your thread here but I am also trying to figure mine out. similar symptoms: sometimes it fires up and then immediately dies. Then it will occasionally crank but won't fire over. After that happens if I let it sit for a little bit and try to turn it over it will fire right up and idle well. Haven't checked fuel pressure yet but will soon. I used to get the service engine soon light on randomly but that was before this issue started and it went away before this issue started as well. The guy who I bought it from back in feburary said he recently had the fuel pump replaced so I'm assuming at this point he isn't lying. I have replaced the fuel filter, done the TBI rebuild to it(gaskets and o rings) and cleaned the hell out of it, New AC Delco plugs, Summit Racing plug wires(had to get them because I needed 90° elbow boots for header clearance), cap and rotor, valve stem seals on the motor, New radiator fan motor, New edlebrock open air element and breather(just a few days ago and issue was going on before these 2 items were installed). I believe that about covers the mechanical work I have done so far. A buddy of mine suggested that it could be the ignition coil so I bought a new distributor so before I put that in I figured I would exhaust what options I can. I have a big exhaust leak from where the headers meet the y pipe because the previous owner bottomed it out and bent the y pipe at the flange, so not sure if that is related, I'm assuming not. I haven't checked for vacuum leaks yet so I'm wondering that's also a potential cause. any wisdom on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

*305 WCT5 TBI 88 Camaro base

 

Bump. Having same issues as OP. Car is 88 Iroc 305

I have these error codes and just want to know what I can do, the surging while driving and the weird startups are starting to get to me.

Code 22: Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) Signal Voltage is Too Low

Code 32: EGR Diagnostic SW Signaling Incorrect EGR valve operation

Code 36: Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Burnoff Circuit Problem (Already replaced Burnoff Relay)

I just want a smooth ride, what can I do?

 

How about fixing the cause(s) of the three trouble codes?

Grab a service manual, and have at it.