Brief history.car sat for 4 yrs. Just changed fuel pump, lots of fun. So now its sort of running now. Changed plugs, oil, etc. Current problem is the when it starts its idles really bad,giving it gas doesn't help. When I disconnect the fuel pump it smooths out to a high idle and runs ok til it runs out of gas. Tried the codes and got a 14 a couple of times, but most of the time I don't get anything including the 12. I have a few ideas but as the name may hint at, I'm no genius with cars. I'm willing to jump in with a BFH if someone will head me in the right direction. Almost forgot, its in a 87 camaro

 

I'm thinking fuel pressure regulator but Its a guess. I don't want to start swapping parts & hope I get lucky. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

MWT,

'87 Camaro - with TPI or carb?

 

350 tpi

 

You should always get at least a code 12 out of the ECM unless there is something wrong with it. Idles rough? Check to make sure the ESC connector is hooked up...its a single wire with a male/female type plug connector...runs along the topside of the firewall on the passenger side of the engine bay, I think its an orange wire. Also check to make sure your coil is tight..I had a loose coil do some really goofy things.

 

If you dont even get a code 12 Im thinking the ECM is shot. Mine wouldnt pull a 12 and I replaced the ECM and it ran perfect.

 

I'll check those tommorow. thanks. I originaly looked for short in the fuel pump circuit, no luck. As a last resort I disconnected every sensor I could easily find one at a time. If it made any difference, I couldn't tell anyone have any other ideas to give me something to do tommorow Is there any way to check the ecm before I shell out the big bucks?

 

Well if you check for codes at the ALDL with the ignition in the on position, but NOT running, and get no codes at all...then ECM is not sending data. I would check the connectors at the ECM under the panel in the passenger side of the dash and under the plastic dust cover at the rear of the passenger side fender, where the wiring harness enters the car. Make sure they are clean and secure....either that or if you know someone else with similar 3rd gen, that would let you "borrow" their ECM, it only takes about 10 min or so to hook one up.

When I had to replace the ECM in my 85 SC the ECM was about $65 from the local parts store, and I bought the chips from the Chevy dealer for around $100 bucks, I can't remember if the 87 uses the same module.

 

I'm beginning to think this car isn't worth it. I already have about $800 in it. Once I get it running there's still body work to be done but when the wife wants it what can you do.

 

update for anyone interested. I found the problem. There wasn't a single piece of duck tape anywhere on the car. So I slapped a big piece on one of them doohickies under the hood & it fixed er right up. The new ecm might of helped a little.

 

Sounds like a dead ECM to me. You can find ECMs cheap here:

http://www.car-parts.com


Before you buy a ECM for it try replacing the fuel pump relay on the firewall. It's the square/rectangular relay next to the brake booster.

HTH,

Brian P
89 IROC-Z 355