Engine starts but won't run
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 50
From: Manitoba
Car: '91 GTA
Engine: 421sbc
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9" with 3.89
Engine starts but won't run
I got some problems.
About 3 weekends ago I took my car out for a cruise. There was a slight miss at 1500rpm but I thought nothing of it.
They it started missing even more and when I turned onto a street and pushed the gas, the engine died.
The engine would start, but die immediately after.
I have fuel pressure, and I can hear the pump prime. I also hard wired the fuel pump and it would stay running.
I have oil pressure too.
I have spark, I took a wire off the plug and put a plug in and fired it and the spark was still sparking until the engine stopped, and big sparks too.
My guess now is that it is something to do with the factory anti-theft(vats).
It is throwing a code 46( which means vats or ecm defective)
I went to the gm dealer and they quoted me $90 for a new ignition cylinder and $67 for a new key!!!
A new VATS module is $420!!!
I am running out of options!
I guess I gotta spend money!
Anyody else have this problem???
About 3 weekends ago I took my car out for a cruise. There was a slight miss at 1500rpm but I thought nothing of it.
They it started missing even more and when I turned onto a street and pushed the gas, the engine died.
The engine would start, but die immediately after.
I have fuel pressure, and I can hear the pump prime. I also hard wired the fuel pump and it would stay running.
I have oil pressure too.
I have spark, I took a wire off the plug and put a plug in and fired it and the spark was still sparking until the engine stopped, and big sparks too.
My guess now is that it is something to do with the factory anti-theft(vats).
It is throwing a code 46( which means vats or ecm defective)
I went to the gm dealer and they quoted me $90 for a new ignition cylinder and $67 for a new key!!!
A new VATS module is $420!!!
I am running out of options!
I guess I gotta spend money!
Anyody else have this problem???
Member
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
From: Heart of Dixie
Car: 1987 Camaro Sport Coupe
Engine: 355
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 7.5 inch 342
Re: Engine starts but won't run
I got some problems.
About 3 weekends ago I took my car out for a cruise. There was a slight miss at 1500rpm but I thought nothing of it.
They it started missing even more and when I turned onto a street and pushed the gas, the engine died.
The engine would start, but die immediately after.
I have fuel pressure, and I can hear the pump prime. I also hard wired the fuel pump and it would stay running.
I have oil pressure too.
I have spark, I took a wire off the plug and put a plug in and fired it and the spark was still sparking until the engine stopped, and big sparks too.
My guess now is that it is something to do with the factory anti-theft(vats).
It is throwing a code 46( which means vats or ecm defective)
I went to the gm dealer and they quoted me $90 for a new ignition cylinder and $67 for a new key!!!
A new VATS module is $420!!!
I am running out of options!
I guess I gotta spend money!
Anyody else have this problem???
About 3 weekends ago I took my car out for a cruise. There was a slight miss at 1500rpm but I thought nothing of it.
They it started missing even more and when I turned onto a street and pushed the gas, the engine died.
The engine would start, but die immediately after.
I have fuel pressure, and I can hear the pump prime. I also hard wired the fuel pump and it would stay running.
I have oil pressure too.
I have spark, I took a wire off the plug and put a plug in and fired it and the spark was still sparking until the engine stopped, and big sparks too.
My guess now is that it is something to do with the factory anti-theft(vats).
It is throwing a code 46( which means vats or ecm defective)
I went to the gm dealer and they quoted me $90 for a new ignition cylinder and $67 for a new key!!!
A new VATS module is $420!!!
I am running out of options!
I guess I gotta spend money!
Anyody else have this problem???
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 50
From: Manitoba
Car: '91 GTA
Engine: 421sbc
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9" with 3.89
Re: Engine starts but won't run
Yes!!
I burnt a new chip and I disabled the vats and now the car stays running!!
I burnt a new chip and I disabled the vats and now the car stays running!!
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 50
From: Manitoba
Car: '91 GTA
Engine: 421sbc
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9" with 3.89
Re: Engine starts but won't run
Now I went to go start the car and it won't start now.
I have a very weak spark but lots of fuel.
I am ready to give up and go to a carb.
Also, I am trying to see if there are any engine codes and I am using the paper clip and that won't work....?......
Before when I put a paper clip in the aldl, the engine fans would come on, now nothing!!!! uuggghhhhh
I have a very weak spark but lots of fuel.
I am ready to give up and go to a carb.
Also, I am trying to see if there are any engine codes and I am using the paper clip and that won't work....?......
Before when I put a paper clip in the aldl, the engine fans would come on, now nothing!!!! uuggghhhhh
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 50
From: Manitoba
Car: '91 GTA
Engine: 421sbc
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9" with 3.89
Re: Engine starts but won't run
Also, I checked the chip in the ecm, and the chip is very warm.
Is this normal?
Is this normal?
Supreme Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,494
Likes: 0
From: Markham
Car: 1990 Camaro
Engine: 355ci
Transmission: TKO-600 5 speed
Axle/Gears: 3.73 10 bolt
Re: Engine starts but won't run
the worst thing about a problem like this is that theres no way to test some of the electrical components without just throwing parts at it.
code 46. Fault at vehicle anti-theft sytem OR Fault at power steering switch
thats a new one on me i have no freakin clue why its throwing that, altho the computer will sometimes throw faulty codes because of something else going on.
personally it sounds to me like something that controls the ignition, i would guess either a bad ignition control module, or a bad computer (although everyone likes to guess its a bad computer and its pretty rare thats what actually ends up being the problem.
My other guess would be a bad wire between the ecm and the ignition control module.
code 46. Fault at vehicle anti-theft sytem OR Fault at power steering switch
thats a new one on me i have no freakin clue why its throwing that, altho the computer will sometimes throw faulty codes because of something else going on.
personally it sounds to me like something that controls the ignition, i would guess either a bad ignition control module, or a bad computer (although everyone likes to guess its a bad computer and its pretty rare thats what actually ends up being the problem.
My other guess would be a bad wire between the ecm and the ignition control module.
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