I have been driving the car regularly with no problems and I came home today and let it sit for about 30 min. When I got back in to leave again I was backing out and it began to chug. I had to keep pumping the gas to get it to barely run. Eventually it stopped doing that. It spins freely but wont fire. I pulled a plug and it was clean and didn't smell like gas so I put a new fuel pump relay in(cheap fix) thinking it was fuel pump related, but that didn't help. Fuel pump fuse is ok too. Ignition module is newer as are cap, rotor and plugs. The spark seemed weak though. So should I go buy a fuel pressure gauge next or what else is a likely culprit? This is a sudden problem I wasn't sure what else other than fuel.

 

What are symtoms of a computer going out?

Look for lipstick on the collar.

Seriously, Not likely the computer, they're pretty reliable.

Check the likely suspects first like fuel(pump) and distributor pickup coil or ignition coil are common. In electronics there is a term used in diagnostics called "infant mortality" where if a electronic component is going to go bad it will do it early in life
or live to a normal ripe old age.
When something goes wrong always check the most recently replaced component. It's many more times than not the culprit.
This troubleshooting shortcut worked suprising well for me when I used to repair TV's and audio equipment for a living.

Try starting the car with propane. get a propane torch and shoot some propane down the carb or in the air inlet or throttlebody.
If it fires right up and runs, its a fuel related problem.
If it doesn't , it's ignition or mechanical (internal).

 

a fuel pressure gage can always come in handy, especially in situations like this. If you have the cash, sure go get one, it's a great tool to have.

I highly doubt it's the computer. I usually dont see them go out on older cars....usually when they go out, they'll go out right when the car is new.

Anyway, just as an educated guess i'd check the pick-up coil.

 

I'de go with this idea first, not sure about the propane thing though, never heard of that one. I always used carberator cleaning fluid, its less flammable than ether. If that doesn't work I'de buy the following: Step 1...Fuel Pressure Gauge ($39.99-PEP BOYS) Step 2... Noid Light ($6.99-Advanced Auto)

 

Propane is a very safe fuel to use to test a stubborn engine.
When injected with a common propane torch (unlite of course)
it is premixed with O2 to a combustible mix by the torch nozzle.

Engines run on propane start right up with less chance of back fire and no chance of knock .(high octane)
Will not Flood and engine either.

Ether can damage a gas powered engine ( knock) because of its low octane. Not recommended.

Works great on pesky lawnmowers and mini bikes too.

Use in a ventilated area.

 

I didn't have any propane, it kind of turns over with carb cleaner. I popped the fuel line and turned the ignition on...no fuel flow. Must be the fuel pump. Drat drat drat.

 

How about squirt a little gas in there? When your in the car and you turn the key on can you hear the pump run and then shut off?If you can, might be a fuel filter! My car does that but it resarts several times and finally runs. I'm still trying to figure it out!

 

Nah the only noise it makes is the relay clicking on . No pump noise at all. I'm gonna be pissed if I change this pump and it still doesn't work. I think I checked all the wiring.

 

If you're not getting any flow of gas, maybe you're right, it's the fuel pump. BUT.... I had the computer go out on my 88 GTA a few years ago, and it had the same symptoms : ran very poorly, stalled out at lights. Only started sometimes, and just barely. But I think kI did have pump sound.

 

Your GTA sounds just like what my cars doing execpt it doesn't stall at lights. If an Ecm starts going bad won't it give a code? How did you figure out it was the ECM. I want to get mine checked out now. I'd like to have fun driving it again before the snow shows up again.

 

I had codes 15, 21, 33, and 53. I spent days checking out stuff, and finally took it to a mechanic, who also checked out all sorts of stuff, then put a new computer and prom in, which fixed it. He said the only way to diagnose that the computer was the problem, was to try everything else first. Well he did fix it, but it cost me $454.... ouch.