ok heres my problem,,I haev a 91 z w/305 tpi I have fuel going to the rails but I have no sparkcar ran fine up untill a month ago when it died after getting up tp 50 now it wont even get a spark ...it did backfire about a week ago but now it just cranks but wont catch...my steering column is out of whack I haev to pull down on the wheel to start it could that be the prob. or is it the dist. or timing..or something else???

please help I need this car going

steve

 

Check your coil. Bad coil = no spark. Might be a good time to replace dist cap, rotor, wires, and maybe even plugs.

Is your SES light on? If so, you might be able to get a code reader and it could tell you the prob.

 

I tried a new coil no spark just did tune up (cap,rotor,plugs,wires) ses gives code 42

 

Did you address the code 42? EST problems will for sure cause a no-start, especially if the unit is bad. I'm kind of assuming that code didn't change from 1989 to 1992, which is the service manual for my car. From what the service manual says, a faulty ignition module could be a big culprit for your no start problems if it isn't the EST module itself (or wiring to it and ECM). Ignition modules are a common problem in these cars when they go bad (which is also fairly common), just look at all the threads on them. It's an easy change out, 2 screws on top of your distributor. I didn't know a bad ignition module could throw a code 42, but apparently it can.

One other thing, you can elliminate any uncertainties in your ignition switch in the steering wheel by checking to see if you're getting 12 V at the distributor. I at first thought that it may be the ignition switch since you said you could get it to start by pulling on the steering wheel. A lot of times the wiring gets all cocked up with tilt steering on these vintage GM cars leading to a bad connection to the switch. But I wouldn't think that to throw a code even if that were the case.

Most auto parts stores can test your ignition module for free, so it isn't a bad idea to check that route out before digging deeper. If it turns out to be bad, get the more expensive module. I have heard many horror stories of these things being bad out of the box, especially on the cheapos. I got the top-of-the line Bosch for $80, but even the $40 ones are good from what I've been told. I hope this helps you in any way and I wish you good luck!

 

yes that helps thank you I will try it then its off to the shop with the car......let my mechanic try and fix it

 

Just changed my module 2 days ago and it fired right up. Had the same probs you are having!

 

LOL, been there before myself. I hope you can find the solution on your own. Don't you hate it when you take it to the mechanic and he finds out is is something stupid like a plug wire that burnt out on the exhaust manifold? That has never happened to me, LOL! Keep us updated, I'd like to know what the gremlins were!

 

lol ya I hate taking my baby to let someone else under the hood besides me when I cant be there to see what they are doing....but like kcgta said its prolly something very simple....just hope I dont get 75.00 bill for a plug wire