Car randomly dies while driving/idling??
#1
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Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 4 Speed Automatic
Car randomly dies while driving/idling??
I've had my 1991 Camaro 305 TBI driving around for roughly a month. At the time I had all major issues fixed,and the engine was running great. Today I took it out to see how the handling improved after getting tires balanced. I was stopped at a 4 way stop,and the car died. I had no idea until I went and tried to turn the wheel and it wouldn't budge. At first it wouldn't even crank over,but I think that's cause I still had it drive (bad idea I know,but people were honking at me like crazy) or cause I had to turn the key off first. I got it to start,and got back on the highway. I suspected it was cause I was using my freshly charged and probably leaking air conditioning,so I shut it all off. I ended up stalling doing 65MPH in front of 18 wheeler,and I was sweating bullets trying to pull over. At that point I knew I couldn't trust the car,and took safest way home. I was about 3-4 miles away from home still,and I ended up stalling 3 more times (5 total on the road) before I got home. It started right back up every time aside from the first time. About a half hour later at home I started it up to swap spots with my brother,and it stalled in 5 seconds of being in park and just idling.
Before all this I rebuilt the throttle body,put in new injectors,new IAC valve,and new MAP sensor. Personally I'm leaning towards a bad fuel pump,but I'll wait to confirm that till I do a bit of trouble shooting for one. What else do you think it could be? How should I go about trouble shooting other stuff?
Before all this I rebuilt the throttle body,put in new injectors,new IAC valve,and new MAP sensor. Personally I'm leaning towards a bad fuel pump,but I'll wait to confirm that till I do a bit of trouble shooting for one. What else do you think it could be? How should I go about trouble shooting other stuff?
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Car: 1989 Iroc-Z Camaro
Engine: TBI,5.0
Transmission: Automatic 700R4
Axle/Gears: Eaton Posi,3.42,LPW Ultimate Cover
Re: Car randomly dies while driving/idling??
Sounds like it could be the fuel pump.
Also, I do not believe the IACV comes preset.
There is a procedure necessary.
It really should be reset during what is called the "Setting Minimum Idle Speed" procedure.
That procedure requires some sort of Digital Tachometer like you would find on a digital timing gun. An aftermarket digital tachometer gage installed would also work.
By the way, if its off, setting "Min. Idle Speed" is a very important thing to do. Its basically the foundation the ECM relies on.
Also, I do not believe the IACV comes preset.
There is a procedure necessary.
It really should be reset during what is called the "Setting Minimum Idle Speed" procedure.
That procedure requires some sort of Digital Tachometer like you would find on a digital timing gun. An aftermarket digital tachometer gage installed would also work.
By the way, if its off, setting "Min. Idle Speed" is a very important thing to do. Its basically the foundation the ECM relies on.
Last edited by Ron U.S.M.C.; 03-12-2016 at 02:51 AM.
#3
Re: Car randomly dies while driving/idling??
What is your fuel pressure?
When my TBI pickup had stalling problems, it was the pickup coil on the distributor mainshaft. It finally died "forever", 250 miles from home. Chevy dealer installed a new main shaft in the distributor. A replacement distributor would be essentially the same.
When my TBI pickup had stalling problems, it was the pickup coil on the distributor mainshaft. It finally died "forever", 250 miles from home. Chevy dealer installed a new main shaft in the distributor. A replacement distributor would be essentially the same.
#4
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Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 4 Speed Automatic
Re: Car randomly dies while driving/idling??
Sounds like it could be the fuel pump.
Also, I do not believe the IACV comes preset.
There is a procedure necessary.
It really should be reset during what is called the "Setting Minimum Idle Speed" procedure.
That procedure requires some sort of Digital Tachometer like you would find on a digital timing gun. An aftermarket digital tachometer gage installed would also work.
By the way, if its off, setting "Min. Idle Speed" is a very important thing to do. Its basically the foundation the ECM relies on.
Also, I do not believe the IACV comes preset.
There is a procedure necessary.
It really should be reset during what is called the "Setting Minimum Idle Speed" procedure.
That procedure requires some sort of Digital Tachometer like you would find on a digital timing gun. An aftermarket digital tachometer gage installed would also work.
By the way, if its off, setting "Min. Idle Speed" is a very important thing to do. Its basically the foundation the ECM relies on.
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Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 4 Speed Automatic
Re: Car randomly dies while driving/idling??
What is your fuel pressure?
When my TBI pickup had stalling problems, it was the pickup coil on the distributor mainshaft. It finally died "forever", 250 miles from home. Chevy dealer installed a new main shaft in the distributor. A replacement distributor would be essentially the same.
When my TBI pickup had stalling problems, it was the pickup coil on the distributor mainshaft. It finally died "forever", 250 miles from home. Chevy dealer installed a new main shaft in the distributor. A replacement distributor would be essentially the same.
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Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 4 Speed Automatic
Re: Car randomly dies while driving/idling??
Sounds like it could be the fuel pump.
Also, I do not believe the IACV comes preset.
There is a procedure necessary.
It really should be reset during what is called the "Setting Minimum Idle Speed" procedure.
That procedure requires some sort of Digital Tachometer like you would find on a digital timing gun. An aftermarket digital tachometer gage installed would also work.
By the way, if its off, setting "Min. Idle Speed" is a very important thing to do. Its basically the foundation the ECM relies on.
Also, I do not believe the IACV comes preset.
There is a procedure necessary.
It really should be reset during what is called the "Setting Minimum Idle Speed" procedure.
That procedure requires some sort of Digital Tachometer like you would find on a digital timing gun. An aftermarket digital tachometer gage installed would also work.
By the way, if its off, setting "Min. Idle Speed" is a very important thing to do. Its basically the foundation the ECM relies on.
#7
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Car: 91 Firebird
Engine: V-6
Transmission: Auto
Re: Car randomly dies while driving/idling??
Go to Harbor Freight and get a fuel pressure tester for $20 bucks. Or rent one from Autozone. This is a must have for troubleshooting fuel delivery problems. It helped find a bad FPR and get my bird running like a champ!
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#8
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Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 4 Speed Automatic
Re: Car randomly dies while driving/idling??
It looks like I'll be going to harbor freight. Autozone doesn't rent them by me. When I get one where do I hook it to the fuel line?
#9
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Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 4 Speed Automatic
Re: Car randomly dies while driving/idling??
The harbor freight tester doesn't work on "GM throttle body systems" according to their site.
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Car: 91 Firebird
Engine: V-6
Transmission: Auto
Re: Car randomly dies while driving/idling??
It worked on the V-6 schrader valve when I used it, so not sure.... But I read the 305 TBI doesn't have a valve. You have to tap into the fuel line with an adapter.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TBI-throttle...569982&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TBI-throttle...569982&vxp=mtr
#11
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Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 4 Speed Automatic
Re: Car randomly dies while driving/idling??
It worked on the V-6 schrader valve when I used it, so not sure.... But I read the 305 TBI doesn't have a valve. You have to tap into the fuel line with an adapter.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TBI-throttle...569982&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TBI-throttle...569982&vxp=mtr
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Car: 91 Firebird
Engine: V-6
Transmission: Auto
Re: Car randomly dies while driving/idling??
30 - 47 psi at the rail.
Yep, you have to have deep pockets and lots of patience to own one of these!!
Yep, you have to have deep pockets and lots of patience to own one of these!!
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Car: 1988 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 2.73 Open
Re: Car randomly dies while driving/idling??
No "rail" with TBI. Fuel pressure in the 13psi range, give or take a couple.
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Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 4 Speed Automatic
Re: Car randomly dies while driving/idling??
#16
Re: Car randomly dies while driving/idling??
Might as well get the proper adapter and do it the right way.
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Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 4 Speed Automatic
Re: Car randomly dies while driving/idling??
That's why asked if I'd see 13 PSI on the pump prime or not. If I would NOT see 13 PSI on the prime;then I know I'd have to buy the adapter. My issue is the adapter costs $40 that I don't have,and I have to find a way to squeeze it inbetween the throttle body and that hard fuel line. When I rebuilt the TB I noticed how inflexible the line is,and how little room there is to bend it,so it'd be next to impossible to get the adapter in there.
#18
Re: Car randomly dies while driving/idling??
Or you get the adapter that screws into the fuel supply tube in place of the fuel filter.
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Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 4 Speed Automatic
Re: Car randomly dies while driving/idling??
Or you get the adapter that screws into the fuel supply tube in place of the fuel filter.
Amazon.com: SG Tool Aid 37650 General Motors Inline Adapter: Automotive
Amazon.com: SG Tool Aid 37650 General Motors Inline Adapter: Automotive
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Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 4 Speed Automatic
Re: Car randomly dies while driving/idling??
Or you get the adapter that screws into the fuel supply tube in place of the fuel filter.
Amazon.com: SG Tool Aid 37650 General Motors Inline Adapter: Automotive
Amazon.com: SG Tool Aid 37650 General Motors Inline Adapter: Automotive
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Car: 1988 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 2.73 Open
Re: Car randomly dies while driving/idling??
Yep, that's the first I've seen of that design too. Not entirely handy having to hook up the gauge under the car, and you're not going to prop it between the hood and windshield to watch the pressure while you drive, but it would be easier to install, that's for sure.
#22
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Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 4 Speed Automatic
Re: Car randomly dies while driving/idling??
Yep, that's the first I've seen of that design too. Not entirely handy having to hook up the gauge under the car, and you're not going to prop it between the hood and windshield to watch the pressure while you drive, but it would be easier to install, that's for sure.
#23
Re: Car randomly dies while driving/idling??
It's a flat-out pain in the azz. OTOH, it's the only way to access fuel pressure in some vehicles. Helps if you have a REALLY long hose on your fuel pressure testing gauge.
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Re: Car randomly dies while driving/idling??
I would open the flex line between the chassis and engine to tap into. Even though the above is a nifty tool, I would be hesitate to remove the fuel filter and run the pump.
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