Hey guys,

I have a problem. Last week my car started actin funny. I can no longer push the pedal down past about 1/4 throttle or it just dies. The only thing I can do is lightly press the pedal. If I try to hammer it the car dies and after a certain point of pedal depression it pretty much just drowns and occasionally it backfires. At first I thought it was ignition problems so I trouble shot it and replaced the plugs, rotor, cap, and put a new fuel filter on it. I had the ecm amd the coil checked out and they are fine. I cannot figure out what is wrong. The car is an 83 trans am with a 305 TBI the crossfire. Me and my brother are pretty good with cars and I have asked a few people I know and we can't come up with answers. If anyone has had this problem or can help please lemme know what it is that I can do.

And I forgot something. The car seems to run fine while the engine is not warmed up. I drove the thing into town to pick up a fuel filter and it ran fine for about 25mins before it started to act up again.

it's fuel related. Change out fuel filter(s).... I bet it's your fuel pump though. It should be the block-mounted type though, which should take like an hour to replace, and will cost about 20 dollars new lol.

I'm pretty sure the pump is in the tank cuz the lines go right to the filter I replaced and to the throttle bodies.

J.

well, there's an easy way to solve that then...

go to your engine bay, look on the passenger side, on the block, should be right behind the smog pump. Not sure but I think there might be a helper pump inside the tank too or something...? Not sure.

If i'm not mistaken that is exactly where the fuel filter I replaced is at. And there isn't a smog pump on my car. It was seized when I bought it. Can anybody prove or disprove this?

He's got CFI. He won't have a mechanical fuel pump. My car was originally a CFI. he's got an intake pump. The backfiring almost sounds timing related. May want to look into that. If you have the means to check fuel pressure, I would suggest doing so.

Where in Grand Rapids are you? I might be able to take a look at it later this week.

any error codes?

Unfortunately the car is on the other side of the state. I managed to get it there on a 4.5hr trek that usually takes 2. I can't work on the car over here due to a lack of tools and the apartment complex says we can't.
No there were no error codes as far as I know, none of the idiot lights came on and I don't have a code reader even if one came on.

I haven't worked on crossfire before, but it sounds like it's running pig rich. If there is a throttle position sensor, try adjusting that back and see if that helps. Could also be a bad 02 sensor.

I don't know if its running rich or not. I pulled the original plugs and if anything they had the lean (hot) telltale signs. White deposit on the ground and partly deformed insulator.

Do you guys think that it might also be the fuel pump in the tank? When I get home this weekend I will check the sensors. I dunno if mine has a throttle position sensor. If it does then does anyone know where I should look for it?


Thanks,

J.

Well... if it runs fine while cold, I would recommend having the ignition control module tested. It should be in the distributor. Take your distributor to your local NAPA and have then test it. It sounds like that may be your problem.

I did that

I have replaced or had everything checked out but the wires in the ignition system.

J

If it turns out to be the pump, I've got a replacement CFI pump (currently installed) that will not be used.

How is your oil pressure?

this is where your throttle position sensor is located. (if the pic uploads corectly????)

I have the 1982 camaro shop manual. If you need any help locating things on that crossfire set up let me know. I just have limited time on computer but i will get back to you

Whens the last time you changed your fuel filter? It might be totally plugged up.

Alright thanks man I really appreciate it.

J.

Not to get pissy but i'm pretty sure that I said in the original post that the fuel filter was changed. I didn't however change the bag type filter that is in the tank. I would rather not venture there yet because I have to take the rear end and exhaust off to get to the tank!

Oh and the oil pressure is fine also.

Justin

Danm me and my skimming, lol. I read the whole original post, but most of the others I just skimmed through.

Maybe try running some fuel system cleaner through it? Or maybe clean out the TBs with some O2-safe carb spray?

Try adjusting the throttle position sensor (tps) back and see if that helps.

alright I will do that and get back to ya guys.

Have you checked for a vacuum leak yet? Might be a good idea.

What color are your spark plugs?

I changed the plugs but they looked a little white. Not a lot off of the normal plug wear color of tan.

A little white can mean a little lean.

ya i know but i dunno what to do about it.

Hey check out my problem, it seem to be going around

To me it sounds like a lean condition due to the backfiring. I would check the fuel pressure/volume(tape the gauge to the window if you can and drive it watching for a pressure drop)and if possible scan the car and look at the fuel trim and O2 values during the event.

I agree. If you have never replaced the fuel pump, thats what you need to look at next. I talked to the guy who owned my car before me (mine was a crossfire), And he seemed to remember similiar problems when the fuel pump went out on it (7 years ago) It would idle all day long but soon as you hit the "go pedal" it would raise hell and die out. He replaced the pump and no problem since? But before I went to that hassle I would try to hook up a fuel pressure gauge and see what is going on for sure because a fuel pump is NO FUN on these cars

lol,
tell me something I don't know(fuel pump being no fun). :lala:

n/m