I have a 1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula all stock. The car ran fine and then one day at a red light the car started to surge between 500 and 1000 rpm. It did this for a couple of red lights and then it stopped surging. I didn't have a chance to check on the surging issue that night or the next night. Finally, on the third day I went out to start the car and it would turn over very strong but it wouldn't start. I tried it about 5 or 6 times and it finally started. I shut it off and tried to start it again but it wouldn't fire. I have only done maintenance work to the car and it ran fine for a month before this happened. I don't want to start replacing things like crazy and just hope it is the correct thing. Can anyone tell me where I should start?

Recently done
1. Spark plugs and wires
2. Oil change
3. Distributor cap and rotor
4. Replaced radiator hoses

 

Well you should start with a fuel pressure test. That would be my advice. Not sure what tools you have or how much mechanical knowledge you have, but if you have the ability to do the pressure check , start there. Also if you have time, just do a search on here for SURGING. it should come up with at least several articles about surging on our cars. Good luck.

 

I will do the pressure check ASAP

I did the surging search and found the stuff on the EGR valve, vacuum hoses, etc... At this point my main concern is the car won't start anymore. I guess I included the surging part because I am wondering if there are things that cause surging that lead up to a car being able to turn over but not start.

My mechanical knowledge is decent. I am still a work in progress but I have worked on imports including engine swaps, suspension upgrades, and other related stuff. Thanks for a starting point.

 

Well I didn't want to get too far into the subject before you checked your pressure, but yes. When my car had a surging problem it turned out to be a little $.50 piece of hose. Problem is, it is in the fuel tank. It is a little rubber hose that connects the fuel pump to the metal fuel line. Why they had to put in a little 1 inch rubber hose is beyond me. Maybe they thought it needed the ability to flex at that spot. But mine had a slit in it. Caused surging at stop signs, and some hesitation in spots of accelleration. Fuel pressure was like 4 PSI if i recall correctl. If it had completely eroded it would have caused a no starting issue. There are other things to check to, but you gotta start somewhere, and you can check fuel pressure for free if you have a fuel pressure gauge.

 

Well the car bird has been sitting and I finally had an opportunity to check the fuel pressure. I had 0 psi. I did however hear the fuel pump going. I am wondering if I took the fuel pressure wrong. I took off the cap on the fuel pressure test connector, connected the tester, made sure there was no leaks, and then turned the ignition on. I got no reading whatsoever.

 

I think you have to be running. You would only be getting the pump prime at that point and it lasts 2 secs i believe.

 

I even tried to test it while attempting to turn the car over. It still showed no pressure and I would think that I should get some pressure since the fuel should be moving through the injectors for combustion.