My 89 Camaro RS with the 305 TBI (all stock) does not want to idle on a cold start. It doesn't matter if it is summer or winter. When you crank it, you have to "play" with the gas for about 5 minutes to keep it running. Then it wants to idle from 700rpm to about 1200rpm up and down until it warms up good. Now after it warms up, it runs great........it just don't like cold starts. What could this be?

 

timing, these engines go off timing after about 12 years. also give the engine a break most TBI's do this because they are old and need rebuilding.

 

I have the same problem. It started after I was adding water to the radiator and splashed the engine.

In an effort to find the problem I tore down the TPI and put all new gaskets in there (to eliminate the possibility of a VAC leak). I had to do this to do some re-wiring anyway.

It has been running this way for the last 4 or 5 months.

Any ideas?

edit: Sory, Mine is an 88 5.7TPI

 

Check the fuel pump. I had this problem ever since I bought the car. I have rebuild the throttle body, IAC, all vacuum lines, ECT and oil pressure sender.

Thanks to Benm109 and his fuel pressure guage we found the problem. It was only reading 5 PSI.

My car would idle from 2500 to 1000 and then finally cut off.

 

my car did the same for awhile i didn a complete tune up ans changed the fuel filter <------ this seems to always get left out so i would change it and use some fuel cleaner every now and then not all the time just as recommended and see what happens but full tune up cap rotor plugs wires