I have an 89 GTA and it starts but doesn’t idle. I can keep it running if I press on the throttle. Back when it was becoming a problem I would be driving and it would die on me but would start back up because the clutch is out. The car is a 350 TPI 89 GTA thank you for the help!

 

Can you get it to idle while your holding the throttle open a bit? or will it only stay running at a high RPM?

Misfiring, pinging, blowing fire?


Go through the usual, check FP, cap rotor plugs and wires ect.

 

There’s no sounds when it runs, it sounds normal. There’s no misfiring. I can hold the throttle open to idle speed and when I do that it sounds great and runs great. But when I let go of the throttle it dies right after. And I checked the distributor wires and the coil wires they all look fine with no cracks. And the plug wires are good to.

 

Unplug the maf sensor and see if it runs without stalling, if it runs ok replace the power and burn relay.
Also check for vacuum leaks.
Is the cat original? there is an outside chance thats it's rusted out and clogged up.

 

Check for codes, you may or may not .. get a Code 42.

 

I got a code 42. Along with others but that’s because I forgot to put the MAF back on. The cat is only 3 months old. And when I took off the MAF it still didn’t run. So what can i do about the code 42?

 

Heh .. when ya find out, please let me know. I got Code 42 yesterday, had to go back and get my factory manual, looking in it right now and hmmmmmm well hrmmmm

 

haha so you got the same problem? Well in my book it says

"Code 42
Circuit or system: electronic spark timing
Probable cause: poor electrical connection, open or short in circuit; defective ignition module; defective ECM."

I hope that helps you some, because it’s either the ignition module or the ECM. Or electrical but I doubt that

 

42. Fault at electronic spark timing circuit OR
Fault at direct ignition system OR
Fault at fuel cutoff relay circuit

 

Check to make sure the timing bypass connector is not loose or coroded, that would set a code 42

 

Would that be the EST connector ?


My problem started like this:


1) Splicing into green/white wire on fuel pump relay .. by misstake ... result was.. no fuel .. and Code 54

2) Switched out for a used junkyard connector, result was still code 54 but I bypass it, but now I also have a bad idle/running characteristics and a Code 42


So I must have hmmm fried something ??

 

The green/white wire on the f/p relay goes directly to the ecm. it supplies 12 volts to the coil in the relay. If you connected something that draws alot of amps, like a cooling fan, you may have fried the fuel pump driver circuit in the ecm. I'm not sure how to test it, other than swapping in another ecm.

 

Well I may have fried that one ... but.. I never got a Code 42, until I was swapping out connectors to the relays afterwards .. and then the inline fuse blew ... replaced it.. noticed Code 42

 

the timing bypass connector looks good.