My 91 RS TBI 305 just doesnt like to start. Once it gets going, it will start right up. If I shut it down while its warm, it will start back up no problem, but cold...you can crank forever. ive tried my foot to the floor, flutter the throttle, no throttle whatsoever...nothing. Its so bad that it will drain a perfect battery.
Ive only had this car for a few weeks, and I had originally intended to use it for parts, but the car is actually in very good shape and runs really good once its going. Now Id like to fix it up a little for my teenage son to drive when he gets his license.
The exhast is gone from the y pipe back. No cat nothing...but Im not going to spend a bunch of money on exhaust and what not until I can start this car whenever I want. I know its probably something stupid, but ideas as to where to start would help...thanks guys

 

does the fuel pump prime when you first turn the key on? Should be able to hear it run for 2 seconds.

 

Yeah, i can hear the fuel pump prime every time, still the car just doesnt want to fire. It cranks and cranks until either the battery dies or it finally fires. I can smell gas by this time. Im wondering if the injectors are shot/plugged? I havent done anything at all to this car yet. No tune up, nothing. I thought that maybe the cap is cracked, but it runs fine once it fires. If its warmed up, it will fire right up after sitting for a few hours...any longer than that though...nothing...HELP lol

 

my 89 305 tbi does the same this all the sudden. i have to take number 1 out and run it for a secound then put it back in then it will run. it beets the hell out of me. i think its the seal on the intake or heads

 

I got it running again yesterday, but this morning it wont start again. It will crank just long enough to drain the battery. If I jump it, it cranks for a few minutes then you can hear it try to fire, and after a few minutes of that, she fires up. I can shut it down after a few minutes, long enough to come up to operating temperature, then it will start up no problem for a few hours. Once the engine is cold again, I have a hell of a time starting it up.

 

a friend of mine works at NAPA, and he thinks my fuel pump doesnt have enough power to charge the fueling system. But if I jump the car, after about a half hour worth of attempts, the car finally fires up. I can deive around no problem, even go full throttle on the highway. I can shut it down and start it right up, up to about an hour later.
Wouldnt the fuel line stay pressurized? Or does it drain back eventually?
I really dont want to yank the tank down and change the pump unless I have to. I dont know how to check my pump either...any ideas?

 

I checked the trouble codes on it today. Got a 21 and 23. I heard the pump for just a half sec maybe, and it sounded weak.
The code 23 (manifold air temp) I understand, because when I bought the car, it had this stupid scoop (see pics) on it. I got a stock air cleaner assembly from ebay, but havent hooked any wires up to it, and I honestly dont know if it still has the sensor in it.
The code 21 (TPS) seems like a cheap fix. But would the TPS prevent the car from starting when cold, but allow it to start when its warmed up? Or am I gonna have to change the fuel pump?

 

Get a fuel pressure gauge and see what the pump is running at.

Should be above 15psi.

 

Now the pump doesnt prime, so I got a new fuel pump relay. doesnt help.
I checked the wire that primes the pump, and it doesnt get power when its supposed to, even with the new relay...so I hooked that up to a push button so I could manually prime the pump. But it still doesnt sound as strong as the pump on my other car. Ignition control module bad maybe? Ive read that it controls the prime function, but after I get the car running, everything is fine and I can start it back up.
Will a pump get weak as its going out? If I had hair left Id pull it out!!!

 

Sounds like the pump is dying. They usually dont just run great one second, then just die like that. They get weaker, and weaker, until they cant supply the motor the fuel it needs. I have been there, twice.

 

does the pump start to whine when its on its way out? My B4C pump started whining recently...
Anyway, I traded a Plymouth hot rod project I didnt have time for(or any more interest since I got my Third Gens) for a fresh as in zero mile 355 and turbo 350 tranny. Guy built this for his 85? Camaro...then a windstorm deposited an elm tree on his car. I got everything...brackets, carb, HEI dist, starter...
Gonna put it in the RS, so if anyone wants a 305 TB...let me know.