I need help....I have an '88 camaro with 2.8L and sometimes it runs like a striped ape and sometimes won't even pull itself out of the driveway. I've changed the MAF, MAF relay, coil, pickup coil, plugs, wires. Fuel pressure is good at 42. new fuel filter too. Thought it might be a loose ground somewhere and the only ground wire I can find is one going from the firewall to the coil bracket. Any otheres?....thanks

 

Any check engine lights when this happens? Any other symptoms besides severe power loss?

 

The check engine light had been illuminated before....was giving a code 33 and 34(MAF sensor)....found the MAF relay was no good, replaced it, still got the code and so I replaced the sensor too. This got rid of the check engine light, however, still ran like crap. I had thought that the EGR valve was the problem so I blocked it off and still had the problem. As for other symptoms...it surges from time to time until it gets warm. Sometimes it backfires through the Air Filter Housing and like i said, sometimes it runs good sometimes it runs bad. One other thing, the other day i pushed the cigarette lighter in and it started to run like crap and the volt meter dropped way down and it blew the ACC fuse and Radio fuse. Thats why i think it may be a loose ground somewhere. The only one i could find was the ground strap going from the fire wall to the Coil bracket bolt. I have been told that there are 3 or 4 ground wires in the engine compartment, but this is the only i have found.


Thanx for your help

 

Time to get a Haynes manual for a wiring diagram.

 

Grounds are very important dont get me wrong, but I doubt they are causing your problem. On my car, the only ground I have is the battery to the frame, no other grounds except motor mounts. I will be changing this since it is not too good, but I had no choice, yet it still ran great.

Have you done a basic tune up on it, hows the timing looking ?

I would get a manual, as in, itll give you tons of hints on things to check, not to mention, how to check em. Best 10-20$ you'll spend on your car, thats for sure.

 

Battery's right. Did you replace that ignition module thingy, also?

 

The timing is good, I have a Haynes manual also, however it doesn't tell me where the actual ground wires are located.