Car would idle erratically and shake when stopped and would turn off. I would put it into Neutral and RPM's stayed about 1000-1500 and car would stay on. Recently car died and had to push it home. Worked fine at high speeds. Now car cranks but won't start. Any help is greatly appreciated
New:
Distributor (had the timing done)
Cap/Rotor
Spark plug & wires
Fuel filter
Air filter
Transmission filter
IAC, PCV, EGR Valves
Added fuel injector cleaner
Keep getting code 12 even after I've changed distributor.

 

Sounds like fuel pump. Check pressure at the line when cranking.

 

What is the fuel pressure?

What is the cranking compression of all eight cylinders?

What does the data stream show when you connect a scan tool?

Ignition "on", engine not running/not cranking, jumper in the ALDL? You're SUPPOSED to get Code 12.

Ignition "on", engine cranking, jumper in the ALDL? Faulty distributor, faulty ignition module, faulty wiring from distributor to ECM, faulty ECM.

 

Code 12 is normal. It means your onboard diagnostic system is working properly.

I'd also recommend checking fuel pressure before you do anything else. Can you get the car to start if you put gas/starting fluid/anything flammable directly into the throttle body and then crank it? If so, then that will rule out ignition problems. For further testing, you'll need to buy one of these stupid adapters that goes in the place of the fuel filter since GM didn't have the foresight to put an inline schrader valve in TBI cars, and you'll also need to get a fuel pressure gauge. IIRC, you should be putting out around 10-12 psi.

Also look for bent fuel lines and other obvious stuff; I was ready to replace my fuel pump until I randomly noticed that the main fuel line at the intake was bent in half on my car. Starts fine now that I bent it back.

 

I haven't had time to mess with it but I did try starting it this morning and it backfired.

 

any updates ?