Was driving last night on the highway at around 60mph and 2K RPM in my 92 Firebird (E Engine Code) when all the sudden my RPM's jumped up to about 4K and then the car wouldn't accelerate anymore and eventually lost power.

It did not overheat. No significant leakage underneath either.

When I go to start it back up it cranks and cranks but won't initialize at all.

I've been told it may be the coil leading to the plugs...?? Might this be the case?

I am really baffled by this for I had all the fluids and stuff properly changed and topped off this past Friday.

Any help is greatly appreciated for the mechanic I'm having look at it won't get to until tomorrow.

Either reply here, email me at uced2car@aol.com or IM me at: cruumps

thanks so much to whomever might be able to help!!

-Chris

 

The rpm sudden jump kinda indicates the coil not to say it couldent be something else like a loose wire to the coil. I would check the fuel pressure or at least listen to see if the fuel pump is turning over.
Good luck
SSC

 

First test for spark at the spark plugs. The easy and only slightly dangerous way is to crank on the engine while hoding a grounded plug and looking for a spark. Know what I am talking about?

If you are getting spark the only other thing it could be is fuels or loss of compression. From you description it sounds like compression should be fine but you may want to test anyway. With a spark plug out try and tell if your injectors are firing.

If your injectors are not firing check your fuel pump. It could be going weak or be getting a bad signal.

 

Thanks for the tips.

re the firing of the spark plugs I do know what you mean and will give that a shot...would you recommend just a pair of rubber ended plyers in order to hold the plug and see if it's firing?

regarding the fuel pump, I think it is getting a good signal but I'm not sure how to really check that...

Also, would it be in my best interest to just check my fuses first to see if one blew? Also, if that is a possibility does anyone know which fuse I'm looking for? I can check the manual but I don't know if it's the fuse for the fuel pump, the coil (which I guess would be the fuel injection one regular AC current one).

Thanks so much for your help so far!!

-Chris

 

for the spark plug checking....they sell al spark plug checker, it looks like a spark plug and has an alligator typr clip on it that you can pinch a bolt or whatever. just ground the plug (by laying it on something metal ie,exhaust,intake etc etc). crank engine see if plug sparks. holding spark plug is not a good idea while cranking... you may get knocked on your *** . i used to grab my ditributor cap/plug boots to adjust my timing while the car was running....till i got 50,000 volts (whatever it is) through my hand, it does not feel good. i reccomend laying plug on something metal.
i would say to check spark, then what i normally do for a car that wont start, try a shot of starting fluid, if it starts and dies you know it is fuel. could be fuel filter is clogged, could be pump, could be injectors not firing. so .......
first make sure it has spark, then make sure it has a fuel supply (you can listen for fuel pump,then try listening to injectors)
then i try a shot of starting fluid. somewhere in there you may want to check for error codes too
i am probably missing something but, check the basics first

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87 z28 bowtie aluminum 420small block dry sump crower lt. wt. knife edged crank oliver lt wt rods brodix track 1's super ram intake slp 1 3/4 headers accel dfi art carr 700 r4 3.42 gears ssm sub frame/ladder bars.....other parts on the way ,soon to be finished!! couple more weeks!!!

 

Right on....I'll give all this advice a shot tonight...

Thanks to everyone who helped! Hope I can make some progress...

-Chris

 

Does anyone know of a code listing online for my 1992 Pontiac Firebird (E code engine)...I don't have my Chilton manual handy and was wondering if someone might have a link to these codes.

Thanks again and all help is very appreciated!!

--Chris

 

My problems have been solved! Turns out my main coil line plug on the distrubutor cap had just come loose and not attached at all! Personally, I'm not that savvy w/ car repairs and when this happened the other night I didn't even want to be bothered.

To all of you who hooked me up w/ some great advice, I thank you.

I'll be sure to frequent this place more for the wealth of information you all provide.

thanks again,

Chris