Patient is a 1991 firebird 3.1l v6..... car will start with a shot of starting fluid..... new fuel pump has been installed....i have 38-40 psi at rail checked with gauge....replaced fuel pressure regulatior....plugs seem to be very black posssibly fouled.. would that cause a no start?

any help is appreciated...

 

Fouled plugs, yes, but if it just spins with no spurt, sputter, or cough, it's totally flooded, or receiving no fuel.
Check spark.
Check for injector pulse.

 

ok i'll replace the plugs... it does however sputter and cough alittle.. but it will fire right up with a shot of starting fluid....there something else i need to look at i thought of it could be...when i purchased the car the ignition switch was sloppy. I mean it has the theft deterant key and all, but it is difficult to turn.I think ill look at the threads on this wonderful site to maybe check that out also... i have a 87 trans am doner car at the house i'm using to restore this car with...wonder if i can pop out that ignition switch and put it in mine? does it have to have that special theft crap key or can it be a normal ignition switch without the special key.... I thank you soooo much for your reply...i really appreciate it! Everyone have a wonderful New Year!! )

 

Does it stay running with the prime shot of fluid?
There's more to the VATS security system than just the key & cylinder. I don't know how much of it has changed between '87 & '91.
I would first fix the hard to turn problem, which is mechanical before the VATS.

Make sure the plugs you buy are the correct ones and gapped to specifications.

 

*** update **** i've only owned the car for like 1 month....looked at previous owners work of replacing fuel pump...saw there was some hoses not connnected near gas tank.. one was vent line,and the other i believe was the return line..anyways connected some fuel lines, made sure all my connections were good up front in engine compartment...had the car jacked up on one side(to work under) and tried to start...and walla!!.. she started..... ran ok... suppose it had to clear out alittle from so much trying to start and all...was running...actually pretty good...good enuf to do a victory small burnout in my garage....) then caput.. nuttin...shut off...acted like before,no fuel. i think i will drop gas tank,to see how much fuel is in tank.maybe when cletus and jud put tank back in they disrupted the gas float thing a ma jiggie. i put very little fuel in it today....it would be great if all it was,was not enuf fuel in tank.... it tries to start but dies...definitely sputters and coughs.Its too bad though, i was happy when she was a runnin....smoky happy ) ps. put in new fuel pressure regulator,changed tps also... i'm lucky enuf to have two of these cars...both are 1991 3.1l ...still will try the new plugs...these aew quite black...but im thinkin thats not gunna do it...but ill try...it ran to good today before it died again...for like 10 minutes... thank you people so much,i'm so glad for this web site!! long live us car nutz!! ) P