As the title states ...

My 88 Formula broke down yesterday - it stalled while making a left turn and won't start. The injectors are spraying no fuel. I forgot to listen and see if the Fuel Pump is actually priming or not. I'll do that after work.

This will be the 3rd one in the last year. What am I doing wrong? Last time I thought it was a bad pump that I put in, so I went and got the free replacement (autozone, 'Master' brand - I know, I know). Maybe they're just cheap pumps. I'll go AC Delco this time.

The first time it went, I also replaced the fuel filter. Maybe that's jammed up causing too much stress on the pump? Would a short somewhere cause these to keep blowing?

2 days ago the car took extra time turning over. Yesterday leaving work it wouldn't start, I tried again and it started. That's when it stalled on the way home - 15 minutes later. So it kinda died slowly ...

Also where is the best place to get an AC Delco Fuel pump?

Thanks for any and all comments.

KZad

 

And that is why I will NOT buy parts from autozone....... Go with the GM pump, or walbro, should solve the problem for ya.

 

I think its the brand. The delco stuff is expensive but worth it IMO....try a redline for delco parts

 

for fuel pumps, go walbro, or go ACdelco.... nothing less.

autozone, advance, ect... do carry the ACdelco pump.

 

How low do you run the fuel tank before you put gas in? You should ALWAYS stay over 1/4 tank with an in-tank electric fuel pump. They use the fuel to keep cool... if you run it low, it will burn up and die on you. I see it all the time at work. You also have to change the fuel filter when you change the pump to get any warranty if it dies.

 

It usually never gets below a 1/4 tank. It CERTAINLY never gets low enough that it sucks air around hard corners (I used to do that, but stopped when I heard it's bad for the FP).

I turned the key the other day, and I could hear the FP prime, but the car did not start. I didn't have a chance to check if the injectors were firing. Today I will try getting the car running on starter fluid to make sure everything electrical is intact & firing. Any other ideas?

My concern is that it's the original timing chain (as far as I know). I bought the car 6 yrs ago with 120k and now it's got 184k. Could this be my problem?

Any other ideas, since I think the FP is OK?

 

Timing chain is likely not the problem, although a possibility if the car's had a hard life. Check the fuel pressure first, then make sure the engine is getting fuel.

 

FP is definitely priming, injectors are bone dry. I disconnected the fuel line from the back of the TB. A decent amount of gas was in the fuel lines. Turned the key, and the fuel shot everywhere. I'm pretty sure (without testing) that I have fuel pressure.

The car will run on the starter fluid, so I think ECM and electrical components are okay.

I checked the two fuses to the Injectors under the dash. Both 10amp fuses were okay.

Somehow I believe the injectors are not getting juice. I am trying to get a volt meter to check them. I put in another Throttle Position Sensor that I had laying around the garage and nothing changed.

Any ideas?

 

When you fill up at 1/4 tank how many gallons does it usually take to top it off?

 

vats issues? ecm not firing the injectors.

 

Not positive. 12 maybe, if that. The pump NEVER 'sucks air'. I have concluded that the fuel pump is fine though, so I'm not worried about that.

88 Formula - no vats. Didnt that start in 89?

I tried a different ECM, one that I had previously run the car - it just wasn't tuned properly. Same problem, injectors bone dry.

 

oh my, sounds like the issue I had with mine. Though mine turned out to be the fuel pump and the rubber hose attached to the fuel pump.

 

i agree with the other guys - a fuel pump is one of those parts that i would get an OEM replacement, or a high quality aftermarket (like a Walbro).

-brian

 

The 'Bird is back on the road today. Turns out it was a bad ICM (Ignition Control Module) which wasn't telling the computer to tell the injectors to spit the fuel. It's located under the distributor cap.

I also noticed that my distributor cap & rotor were in pretty sad shape, so they were replaced too. The car runs better now then before it broke down. Thanks for the help, guys.

KZad