I have a 1987 305 TPI fuel injected trans am. A week ago i ran out of gas and when i got more, it didn't not want to fire. I thought it was the fuel pump because i couldn't hear anything when i turned on the key. After it sat a couple when i finally got time to look at it i tried to start it and it fired up and idled for about 3 seconds and died. So i tried again and the same happend. Anybody have any ideas, i changed out the ignition module and still nothing. One of my buddies with the TPS and nothing as well. So im also worried that he messed up the TPS sensor because he took it off and didn't mark where it is at. After he put it back on i can't even get my car to fire up. Also checked the valve for the fuel on top of engine, it didn't squirt out real hard more kind of oozed out? Anyone got any ideas what it could be?

 

TPS probably isn't the problem, but if you ran it slap out of gas, you could have picked up a bunch of trash and fouled up your injectors and or fuel filter.

 

I'm with jtsk on this one, but if your fuel filter did its job your injectors will be ok. Just replace the filter and see if you can get pressure in the fuel lines again. Autozone is showing the filter as around $15 and it most likely needs to be replaced anyway.

 

It could be the TPS, fuel pump, fuel filter or the injectors (they all have little screens on them which can get clogged). I would start with the easy stuff first (fuel filter, TPS voltage, clean injector screens and finally replace fuel pump (in that order).

 

if it is the injectors..how are you going to clean the screens? They should be replaced, besides, there could be some debris occluding the flow of fuel from the
injector. Rule out all other potential problems, if all else fails either have your injectors professionally cleaned and flowtested or just replace them.

 

You can clean injector screens (the debris would be on the outside of the screen) but I agree the best course of action in regards to the injectors is to bring them to an injector specialist and have them flow tested.

 

Sorry, but i disagree on this one. We clean and flowtest injectors and when we disassemble them you would be surprised to see the condition of the screens and the junk that comes out of the injector when we have them on reverse backflush...and at that time the screens have already been removed and the injectors have been in 2 high temp ultrasonic baths.
Take a look at these pics. The pictures of the injectors on our flowbench are without screens before and after cleaning.

www.southbayfuelinjectors.com
516-492-6504