Help: trouble starting
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Help: trouble starting
My 87 Z28 (350 TPI)has been acting up quite a bit lately and I could use some help to troubleshoot the source of my problems.
Symptoms:
when I try to start the car (which used to fire up flawlessly before) I have to keep on the gas for a while since it runs very roughly. It seems as if it doesn't run on all cylinders and backfires every once in a while. I occasionaly heard a loud cloncking noise which got me worried (was it pinging?).
now here is the weird part: after about 5 min
of stuggle to keep the engine going, I rev the engine a few times and it seem to get back to a regular running mode. I tried to check for spark leakage, electrical shorts in the ignition circuit and I can't find anything wrong. could it be the fuel pump relay, IAC, TPS, dirty fuel injectors, spark plugs? I am open to any suggestion.
Thanks for the help.
Symptoms:
when I try to start the car (which used to fire up flawlessly before) I have to keep on the gas for a while since it runs very roughly. It seems as if it doesn't run on all cylinders and backfires every once in a while. I occasionaly heard a loud cloncking noise which got me worried (was it pinging?).
now here is the weird part: after about 5 min
of stuggle to keep the engine going, I rev the engine a few times and it seem to get back to a regular running mode. I tried to check for spark leakage, electrical shorts in the ignition circuit and I can't find anything wrong. could it be the fuel pump relay, IAC, TPS, dirty fuel injectors, spark plugs? I am open to any suggestion.
Thanks for the help.
Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
From: Bartow, FL
Stick a fuel pressure gauge on and see what fuel pressure you have. But I doubt that is the problem since it runs ok later. You also might check the spark on a plug to see if it has bad plugs, wires, ect. Just some quick ideas. If you can get the HEI module checked. Sometimes they'll go part of the way bad and don't trigger the coil at the right times. Thaose are easy checks to get you started. Good Luck
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'87GTA w/ SLP Cold Air, MSD Coil, Airfoil, Gutted MAF, AFPR, TES Headers, HI-FLOW CAT, Flowmaster Catback, Energy Suspension Master Bushing Kit
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'87GTA w/ SLP Cold Air, MSD Coil, Airfoil, Gutted MAF, AFPR, TES Headers, HI-FLOW CAT, Flowmaster Catback, Energy Suspension Master Bushing Kit
Supreme Member
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,787
Likes: 20
From: Tomball, TX
Car: 89 TTA
Engine: Turbo 3.8
Transmission: 200R4
CTS, IAC, and TPS could be possible causes. When I had trouble similar to yours it turned out to be the CTS. I'm not saying this is definitely the problem, but it's a place to start.
Supreme Member
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,978
Likes: 0
From: PA
Car: 88 Firebird WS6
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.42
I had a similar problem and it was a bad connection in the plug of the MAF sensor. You can verify this by turning your ignition on (without starting) and waiting for the seatbelt buzzer to go out, then start it. If it runs smoothly then check into the MAF and the wiring to it.
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