Hi, i have a 1987 iroc. I was out one day and all of a sudden the car acts as though it has run out of gas. Stomp on the accelerator and the car seems to die out. Car will start and idle, but rough idle. Trying to drive can only go about 5 mph with backfiring. Any ideas??? I talked to some mechanics and they say it could be fuel pump, filter, or timing???? HELP PLEASE

 

TPI, right? Is it throwing any codes? Does your check engine light even come on when you first start the car, like it should? If not, start by putting a new bulb in it. Yes, that's a PITA, but if it's out, you can't tell if it's throwing off a trouble code.

 

I'm pretty much car illetirate.... What are these codes and how do you see them? It is a TPI but whats the chances it is something small like a fuel filter or a much larger problem?

 

Fuel pump is the likely culprit.....

 

re-reading, it does sound like you suddenly had a vacuum hose start leaking, which is possible, and is both cheap and easy to fix, but there are no guarantees, and you can waste an awful lot of money if you start trying to replace stuff instead of diagnosing. So again, when you first twist the key to start the engine, does your "check engine" light, in the dash, come on for a few seconds then go out, or does it stay on, or does it not come on at all?

 

Not sure, havent had the car going in a while (since it happened) but i think that the engine light never came on. I think it initially may come on with the other lights when i start the car, but i don't think it stays on. As for the fuel pump, i turn the ignition and i can hear the fuel pump kick in.

 

If that be the case, start checking all the vacuum lines. They're mostly about 1/4" diameter. If you find one cracked, measure the length, and replace it. If you find one going nowhere, with the end open, plug it. If you find one broken off, hope it's long enough to reconnect it. This is a basic you should learn.

 

ok, the car is in storage now and i cant work on it because it's out home (I'm in the city going to school) So i dont have much time. But i'll check the hoses and see where that leads me. I have a new fuel filter to put in there as well to see if that helps. Have you heard of many people having problem like this? Again, im new and don't know a whole lot about cars and their mechanics.

 

i had the same problem do this it is a very easy simple check ........ there is an air temperature sensor located on the intake snorkel...... it looks pretty meaningless with only 2 white wires....... dissconnect it! try driving and see what you get

 

another culprit could the computer. they are cheaply made anyways.... i replaced mine because it was throwing false trouble codes. it hasn't done it since.

 

where exactly is this located? the car is in storage so i wont be able to look at it for a month or so... If it is this problem then what will fix it?

 

before you start replacing sensors, check your fuel pressure. how many miles are on the car? have you checked for codes? take a paper clip and insert it into the top 2 right ports on the adl connector under the dash.

 

I have had that same symptom more than once.....turned out to be the fuel pump every time......I have been through four factory pumps since I've owned my car...got smart and bought a high performance pump...no problems since.

 

180,000 miles on the car. Haven't checked for codes, not sure how to do it..??

 

I turn the key in the ignition and i can hear the fuel pump kick in. But this could still be the culprit? It could be a bad fuel pump even though it may not be completely broken>????

 

Is it me or is everyone here guessing to what it is...guys..you have to trouble shoot first ...C'mon now!! It could be anything..but you have to start with the simplest thing first..check to see what your fuel pressure is, get a friend to give you a gauge..also check for codes..like someone suggested above..start with these two first and take it from there..

Stop guessing guys!! JEEEZ !! It's not the fuel pump...it's more like....It could be the fuel pump..and its not the computer...it's more like ... it could be the computer...

 

ok to check the codes- the ADL port is under the driver side dash. there will be a 16 pin connector. take a paperclip and put both ends into the top 2 right pin connections.

 

Does it run ok when its cold and get worse when it gets to normal operating temp, or is it like this all the time?

 

As soon as the key turns the car is like this. I don't let the car idle too long because not sure what it is, don't want to mess something else up too.

 

Hi
Did you ever figure out what the issue was with this?
Having the same problem. Undrivable for years now.
Thanks

 

What kind of car? What's been done to it so far (if anything)? What codes (if any) is it throwing?

 

89 TPI
Usually code 44 but once 32 and 22
this is my dad's car so Im not too familiar yet.

 

Might try replacing the oxygen sensor first, if you can get the old one to come out (I couldn't on mine). Should still be relatively inexpensive to replace.