my 89 rs tbi 305 will only start if i spray it with starting fluid HELP!

 

Well, that would clearly be a no-fuel situation.

Gas tank is KNOWN POSITIVELY not to be empty, I take it?

Check the fuel pressure, and the injector fuse (labelled "ECM" in the fusebox IIRC).

 

most importantly, check the only fuse NOT in the fusebox.

the fuel pump and ECM fuse, located near the battery.

 

nah... he said it only starts with ether... he didn't say it doesn't start at all, which would be the case with no fuel.

he gets fuel (he must if it is running)

but not like we can tell, since he posted exactly one sentence......................................

more info is needed to help you

only when its cold?

starts fine when it warms up?

runs good? runs roughly? does it ping?

does it get good spark?

this isn't a magic site... you have to do SOMETHING you know.............

 

it cranks but does not start if i spray it with starting fluid it will start right up and stay runnig fine the next day got to spray all over agin

 

I had a problem like that with my 84 cavalier. It turned out to be the temp sensor, believe it or not. Are you throwing any trouble codes?

 

My 92rs did the same thing, wouldnt start until i poured gas into the tb then it would run, it just ended up being a fuel pump/coil combo

 

yeah

something like that has alot of possibilities though... this guy needs to do some slight troubleshooting or analysis of the situation and post the results at least.