Hi, I am relatively new to this forum, and I really want to know why my car won't start, but of course, there is more to it, so please bear with me... This is on a 1988 TBI 5.0 Camaro

I bought the car without the engine. Unfortunately, the previous owner did not bother to mark anything. Now, we have the engine in, and I *think* everything is plugged in where it is supposed to go.


Now when I go to start the car, the starter works, but no fuel to the TB. The fuel pump isn't even pumping. I hotwired the fuel pump, and that seems to work fine, as it helped me noticed a leak in the fuel line at the back of the throttle body . Even if I hotwire the fuel pump, and fuel goes to the throttle body, I still get absolutely no gas coming out of the throttle body when I try to start it however.

To me, it seems like something is not working in the Throttle body, but I really have no idea. I know all the sensors that I can find are plugged in, and fit, so I am at a loss. Any help would be really appreciated. I was hoping I could get this done by July 18, my son's 16th birthday, but that is obviously out the window. Thank you very much for any help

 

The only thing I can think of is check and make sure everything is connected , make sure you have both injectors plugged in , other wise their may be a problem with the injectors sorry I cant be of much help , good luck.

 

your injectors maybe shot... or wired wrong... TBI is pretty simple in design.. only some many things can go wrong with it...

is the engine cranking over? check the TB (where the hard lines screw in) for any clog..

is your engine Service Engine Soon light comming on? if so what codes are showing?

if you dont know how to check for codes.. get a paper clip.. un bend it so its straight.. bend it directly in half.. no plug that into you ADL connector..its under the dash.. put the paper clip into the A and B slots (the upper right hand side slots in the corner) turn on the ignition but not the engine.. it should flash once.. then pause.. then 2 times... means code 12.. standard code, which means the ECM is ok.. it will do this 3 times.. then wait for the other code to appear... exp.. code 43.. 4 flashes.. pause.. 3 flashes.. long pause... then is does it 3 more times..

it can only be your injectors.. or a clog in the TB, if gas is getting to the lines...

 

Ok, what what about the fact that the fuel pump doesn't even work unless I hotwire it??? Yes the engine turns over, and yes I have spark. Thanks for the ideas!

 

for the fuel pump since it works when hot wired Id check and make sure the FP relay is good, and check the FP fuse. Im not sure if there is a diffrence between 88 and 91, but my FP relay is on the drivers side firewall with the fan relay, and my FP fuse is in a little case next to the battery.

For the TB when you crank the engine can you hear the injectors pulsing(making a clicking type sound)? the fuel pressure regulator in it may be shot and not letting the fuel get to the injectors.
you may want to try rebuilding the TB. you can get a kit at Autozone that has every thing you need(ex:injector screens,o-rings,gaskets) and also included are a few things to some what rebuild the fuel pressure regulator(its part of the TB). The whole TB is very easy to rebuild, I did it a few months ago in about an hour.
Now if the injectors are not pulsing Id def suspect them or there wireing as the problem.

 

Well, the fuel pump relay must be different between the two years, because I don't have one where you are talking. The car I have been looking at is a 91 also, and where there is a fuel pump relay on your car, there is nothing on ours. Since I don't see any loose wires in the vicinity, I am assuming mine is elsewhere. Where it is, I just don't know. I did not know that the fp fuse was by the battery, however, so hopefully that is blown, and that is the problem.

As for the tb, I will just try a different tb and let you guys know, unless you can think of anything else, because I hear no pulsating of the injectors. Thanks for the advice, and if any other thoughts occur I would be greatly appreciative.