Sometimes doesn't start
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Joined: Apr 2002
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Sometimes doesn't start
This problem of mine is really starting to annoy me.
I bought my 89 IROC back in January and since then I have had this problem 4 times.
I will get into my car, and turn the key and the starter goes...but the engine doesn't. And sometimes no matter how many times I try, it just doesnt go. To fix this I usually just took off the distributer cap and jiggled all the wires, and this usually solved things. After the second time this happened, I went and bought a new distributer and rotor and this seemed to be fine. However, this morning it happened again and it just wouldnt start for the life of me. Then just a minute ago I was out trying to start it again...this time i hadn't even taken off the distributer, and after cranking the starter for about 7 seconds or so it started!
And I went around the block and came back home and turned it off and started it another time just to be sure. If it's not the distribuer or rotor...what could this be???
Also, this past saturday...I was about to head home from Worcester and I turned the key and NOTHING HAPPENED AT ALL!!
I stuck in neutral and moved it back a few feet and tried again but nothing...finally it did start. I'm totally confused to why this happened. Any advice on either of these problems would be appriciated. Thanks
I bought my 89 IROC back in January and since then I have had this problem 4 times.
I will get into my car, and turn the key and the starter goes...but the engine doesn't. And sometimes no matter how many times I try, it just doesnt go. To fix this I usually just took off the distributer cap and jiggled all the wires, and this usually solved things. After the second time this happened, I went and bought a new distributer and rotor and this seemed to be fine. However, this morning it happened again and it just wouldnt start for the life of me. Then just a minute ago I was out trying to start it again...this time i hadn't even taken off the distributer, and after cranking the starter for about 7 seconds or so it started!
And I went around the block and came back home and turned it off and started it another time just to be sure. If it's not the distribuer or rotor...what could this be???
Also, this past saturday...I was about to head home from Worcester and I turned the key and NOTHING HAPPENED AT ALL!!
I stuck in neutral and moved it back a few feet and tried again but nothing...finally it did start. I'm totally confused to why this happened. Any advice on either of these problems would be appriciated. Thanks 
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Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 19,651
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Steve,
I'm presuming your IROC has the TPI engine, correct?
The next time the engine fails to start, shut off the ignition and wait at least 20 seconds. After the wait, turn on the ignition to RUN, and don't crank the engine. While this is on, listen for the fuel pump running in the tank. It should run for about two seconds then shut off. If you don't hear the fuel pump, it may not be priming the fuel rails. That would explain the protracted cranking to fire the engine. Since the problem is intermittent, I would suspect the fuel pump power relay contacts are failing. With a failed relay, the fuel pump will not get voltage until the engine is cranked long enough to delevop at least 7 PSIG of oil pressure, so the auxilliary oil pressure switch can power the pump.
If you do have fuel pressure aand the engine fails to start, report back with your results.
I'm presuming your IROC has the TPI engine, correct?
The next time the engine fails to start, shut off the ignition and wait at least 20 seconds. After the wait, turn on the ignition to RUN, and don't crank the engine. While this is on, listen for the fuel pump running in the tank. It should run for about two seconds then shut off. If you don't hear the fuel pump, it may not be priming the fuel rails. That would explain the protracted cranking to fire the engine. Since the problem is intermittent, I would suspect the fuel pump power relay contacts are failing. With a failed relay, the fuel pump will not get voltage until the engine is cranked long enough to delevop at least 7 PSIG of oil pressure, so the auxilliary oil pressure switch can power the pump.
If you do have fuel pressure aand the engine fails to start, report back with your results.
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