I have a 1992 camaro rs, with the 6 cyl automatic. it is fuel injected.

A few times in the past weeks, it randomly acts like its vapor locked. When i try and start it, it turns over but nothing more, wont start. The only way to get it to start is to give it a little spray of primer, at which point it will start up and then proceed to run fine for the next few days.

It also does this sometimes at slow speeds or idle, it just cuts out and stalls. i still have lights and power, but no engine. Then when i try and restart it, it turns over but never kicks in and starts. I've tried starting it again right after it stalls, letting it cool down, holding the gas, you name it, all to no avail. What does work, again, is the primer and it starts back up again but usually only to stall shortly after. i've checked for error codes on the side of the road AS it is refusing to start back up again, but got none.

Iits been a long time since it was tuned up, but has new cap/rotor. We've put fuel injector cleaner and dry gas in it. A few weeks back, my alternator went, and this problem started shortly after installing a new alternator, so im wondering if it took something else out with it.

If anyone has any ideas or advice, I'd sincerely appreciate it, we're at our wits end with this one. Thanks!

 

Does the pump kick on when you first turn the key to "run", but not "Start"? It should kick on for 4-5 seconds to build pressure in the system.

If it does, try changing the fuel filter and checking the relay for the fuel pump. I'm not very familiar with the V6 engines or where stuff is laid out on them, but I'm sure a Haynes or Chilton's repair manual will tell ya.

If neither of those are the cause, move to the ignition. I don't want to jump to the conclusion that it's the ignition module, especially since you say the "primer" (I assume you mean starter fluid) gets it going, but the module is the most common cause of "intermittent" startup problems. However, yours seems to be failing anytime it feels like it.

 

Thanks for the reply. OK I just went out to make double sure, but yes i hear the fuel pump running for a few seconds at "run". however, it also started like a charm just now, too. I'll have to actively listen for the fuel pump next time it stalls or wont start. I do have the manual, but I left at my fathers house. I'll get it back this weekend. Thanks again.

 

did you check the spark plugs?

my car was almost doing the same thing would crank and crank but no start. Change the plugs fired right up.

Pull one and see how they look.