My 88' L98 TPI starts fine when cold however after being run she won't turn over as nicely and when it does start the idle is really low and slowly climbs. What could the problem possibly be?

In the spring we are installing all new electronics (wires, cap+rotor, spark plugs) also plan on installing Accel control module. - would these possibly fix my problem?

 

Ide take a look at your timeing sounds like it might be a bit advanced.

 

That sounds like a fuel problem. Did you install headers? Sounds like your fuel is heating up. Reroute some fuel lines near your exhaust manifold or anything?

 

.

 

No sir, bone stock car. I am kind of thinking that it's the stock module on the distributor, i've read that could be the problem. In about a month I'm doing new wires, plugs, rotor+cap, blaster coil, and an accel module.
They say that the stock ignition parts may not be able to withstand high heats therefore an improper spark is going into the plugs. That's all I hope it is.

 

After it sits a while, try putting the gas petal to the floor and try to start it. See if it starts any faster.

 

my 91 rs wont start cranks over slow replaced battery still cranks slow also i dont see any fuel from the injectors its a tbi also it stoped cranking at all i hit the starter with a hammer now it cranks slowly again volt gauge reads about 13 volts until u try to start it then drops to around 8 volts is the starter bad and pulling to many volts and not alowing the injectors to pulse or do i have a fuel pump issue with a starter issue any help would be great thanks

 

my 91 rs 5.0 L wont start cranks over slow replaced battery still cranks slow also i dont see any fuel from the injectors its a tbi also it stoped cranking at all i hit the starter with a hammer now it cranks slowly again volt gauge reads about 13 volts until u try to start it then drops to around 8 volts is the starter bad and pulling to many volts and not alowing the injectors to pulse or do i have a fuel pump issue with a starter issue any help would be great thanks[/quote]

 

sounds like you may be having a heat soak problem with your starter when it gets hot it is not working correctly

[/quote]

if you hit your starter and it changes how it works the starter is going bad.

 

Does the module theory sound correct?

 

The module could be going, but the slow cranking would probably be more like a dragging starter.

jeep6981,
I bet your battery cables are old? If so put new one's on, they can pull enough power to do that.

 

correct

 

I think its a deffinet possability. I any case i really think you have some issue with your timing. You could always take a timing light and see what your timing is. I dont think its a problem with your starting system because that wouldnt effect the running condition of the car. For example I dont think its a problem with heat soak to the starter again because if that was the probelm the car would start hard but then it would run fine which yours dosnt really. I dont think its a fuel issue i see alot of people exploring the possability of a vapor lock condition but if that was the case the stater would turn fine the car would just have to crank forever to start and youde probably have to hold the pedal to the floor to get it to start (shouldnt really do that on fuel injected cars though). Plus vapor lock has been virtually eliminated in fuel injected cars due to the in tank pumps and high pressure of the fuel lines which increases the boiling temperature of fuel. Back in the old days when you had a mechanical pump on the block sucking fuel from the tank causing a low pressure in the fuel lines between the pump and the tank (lowering the boiling point of fuel) between the heat soak from the motor and heat soak from just outside temps vapor lock can be a problem easily. Not to say vapor lock cant happen of fuel injection cars but lets just say its far less likely than with say an old carbed car and a mechanical fuel pump.

 

ok so i replaced the starter hit the key and she fired right up problem fixed you would think but nope i shut the car off and now all it does is crank... looked at the injectors its a throttle body while the wife cranked it over no fuel and looks to be a very weak spark i pulled the coil wire off the dist. while the wife cranked it over and held the wire with insulated pliers next to the termininal and weak looking spark

 

Charging system issue possably? What voltage do you measure across the battery with the car running?

 

Could it also be a throttle positioning sensor problem?

 

probably not but if you are worried about it you could check it. all you need is a multimeter.

 

If it turns over fine but won't fire on a HOT re-start, it's usually a sign of a failing ignition control module. The module will work fine when cold, run all day fine then refuse to fire the plugs after it heat soaks after being shut down for a while.

If you're getting spark, though, that's not your problem.

I'd next check your fuel pressure and the only way to properly do that is to connect a pressure guage into the lines and compare readings between the 'no start' and the 'running fine'.

Probably wouldn't hurt to get a spark tester on it as well. Can also pull a plug, hold its electrode to ground and make sure the spark is jumping the gap.

When you replace the starter you may also want to consider replacing the positive battery cable to the starter. I recently picked one up at AZ for like $8(?) and it turned out to be heavier guage than the original.

 

i just had this same issue, pulled the starter and it bench tested fine with a jump pack, however heat it up and it would cause the armature to drag, so when i replaced it i realized the solenoid was falling apart and the az heat mixed with the 225* engine bay didnt help the decaying solenoid.

replaced the starter and it cranks like new every time, hot, cold whatever