1990 Trans Am still won't start after repair!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25
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From: Baltimore, Maryland USA
Car: 1990 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 5.7 liter, 350 V8
Transmission: 4 speed auto.
1990 Trans Am still won't start after repair!
I have a 1990 Trans Am GTA with the 5.7 litre V8 with tuned port injection.
I noticed yesterday that it wouldn't start.
Normally, when I turn the key to the "ON" position, I can usually hear the fuel pump make a "humming" sound, then when I turn the key more, to the "Start" position, the engine would turn over.
Now, however, when I turn the key to the "ON" position, I hear the fuel pump, but it is making a different sound. Instead of the normal "humming" sound, it sounds like it's making a vibrating/buzzing sound. This is something totally new.
When I turn the key more to the "Start" position, the engine wants to start, but it won't turn over. This problem popped up in the past 2 weeks.
The battery was checked yesterday and its O.K.
I did notice something different about the car. I noticed under the hood, on the firewall (the driver's side), there are three relays mounted together in a group. The wiring to all three relays has been chewed. I think a mouse or squirrel visited under the hood and did the damage.
One of the relays, the one on the far right (if your standing in front of the engine), the one farthest away from the master cylinder, closest to the fender, has the most damage. One of its wires is chewed almost completely through, only a thin strand of copper has kept the wire from being split in half.
Could this relay, or any of the 3, have anything to do with the fuel pump, or be involved with the car starting?
I noticed yesterday that it wouldn't start.
Normally, when I turn the key to the "ON" position, I can usually hear the fuel pump make a "humming" sound, then when I turn the key more, to the "Start" position, the engine would turn over.
Now, however, when I turn the key to the "ON" position, I hear the fuel pump, but it is making a different sound. Instead of the normal "humming" sound, it sounds like it's making a vibrating/buzzing sound. This is something totally new.
When I turn the key more to the "Start" position, the engine wants to start, but it won't turn over. This problem popped up in the past 2 weeks.
The battery was checked yesterday and its O.K.
I did notice something different about the car. I noticed under the hood, on the firewall (the driver's side), there are three relays mounted together in a group. The wiring to all three relays has been chewed. I think a mouse or squirrel visited under the hood and did the damage.
One of the relays, the one on the far right (if your standing in front of the engine), the one farthest away from the master cylinder, closest to the fender, has the most damage. One of its wires is chewed almost completely through, only a thin strand of copper has kept the wire from being split in half.
Could this relay, or any of the 3, have anything to do with the fuel pump, or be involved with the car starting?
Well, I patched up the wiring and the car still would not turn over. I even bought a new relay and it still wouldn't turn over.
Yes, it does have gas, about a quarter of a tank.
I can still hear the fuel pump come on when I turn the key to the "ON" position, but it is making a different sound than it normally does. Instead of a normal "humming" sound, it still makes a "buzzing/vibrating" sound.
When I turn the key to the "Start" position, the engine wants to start, but won't.
It had been very cold here about 2 weeks ago and the battery died, I took it to be tested and recharged, then I put it back in the car. That's when I noticed the problem.
I checked the fuses for the computer and fuel injectors and they're O.K. Could there be more damaged, chewed wires somewhere else on the car that deal with the fuel system?
What could be wrong?
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance!
Supreme Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 7,072
Likes: 13
From: Philly, PA
Give it a shot of starting fluid and see if it will fire. If it fires up and immediately dies, you've got fuel delivery problems. If not, the problem is elsewhere.
Also, when the fuel pump is running (or cranking over on the key) you should be seeing about 40PSI of fuel pressure in the rails. High pressure EFI pressure gagues are cheap, readily available and easy to attach to the fuel line's schrader valve to take a reading.
Engine needs 3 things to run: fuel, spark and compression. You're missing one of them.
Also, when the fuel pump is running (or cranking over on the key) you should be seeing about 40PSI of fuel pressure in the rails. High pressure EFI pressure gagues are cheap, readily available and easy to attach to the fuel line's schrader valve to take a reading.
Engine needs 3 things to run: fuel, spark and compression. You're missing one of them.
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