I have a 1988 iroc convertible with the 305 TPI.
the car had been sitting for about 10 years because it needed a fuel pump, i took it to the shop, where they installed a fuel pump, and did oil change/wires/plugs. when i got it back they said it still wasn't running properly, but it got better with the MAF sensor unplugged, i was able to get it home without the MAF, but sometimes it would bog terribly, and sometimes it would scream and be really peppy.

however, when i got it home, i started messing with the sensors, i unplugged what i think are the IAC and the TCS, and plugged them back in, i also plugged the MAF sensor plug backwards i think (the clip on it broke off) and now it won't start again.

I'm not exactly a very mechanically inclined person, but i was hoping to get some tips on what i should do to get this problem figured out

 

check the MAF sensor plug n mak sur its in right, maf sensor may have went bad, mine just went bad n it wont barely stay running,

TRY THIS, unplug the MAF sensor and see if it fires up, if it does then theres ur problem. yes it will fire up with it unplugged but it will not run right, thus why i cant drive mine till i get a new MAF lol

 

Well i had figured that the MAF was bad, but like i said i disconnected all those, hooked them back up, and no start, disconnected the MAF, and no start again...its just confusing the hell out of me

 

make sure all ur sensors are plugged in, leave the maf unplugged if no start then its sumthing else.. do one sensor at a time unplug it and see if it starts, the only sensor i can think of that would keep it from firing is either the IAC or the MAF.

 

Well i'm scared that when i put the MAF sensor plug upside down and tried to start it, that it shorted something out? but i'll try it tomorrow with everything hooked up but the MAF

 

shouldnt have hurt anything, but honestly howd u get it in upside down? mine is shaped so it only fits in one way? my clips broke off to. maf sensors are $120-375 depending where you buy it from, go to AUTOZONE or PEPBOYS if u have them in ur area they r lik 120, but make sure u get the right one, the 2.8 Camaro used a different one then the 305 TPI ours uses

 

n yea tomorow when u get a chance leav all sensors hooked up cept the maf sensor and fire her up, also it culd b as simple as teh maf sensor relay, not the sensor, mine is ther sensor cuz she will fire up but barely stay runnin n if she idles fine if i hit the gas a lil it dies lol, freaking computerized crap lol

 

well i'm not 100% sure i put it in upside down, but when i pulled it out it was all kinds of twisted so i don't know if it was in upside down or not...but it just seems so crazy to me that it works one second, and then ***** on me the next

 

yep thats computerized crap for ya, thats what happened to my 85 Iroc, went to put on a water pump, ran fine when i started, when i went to fire it up after new pump was on it wouldnt run, go fig maf went bad, who knew lol

 

That "computerized crap" is what these cars are all about. You need to embrace computer controlled fuel injection. Study it by reading the factory service manual and learn how to diagnose the system. Or just find a good shop and let them figure it out for you. If you dont understand how this system works and have a working knowledge of elctrical diagnosis, you shouldn't be f-ing around under your hood. You will end up costing yourself alot of money.

If in fact you managed to reverse connect your MAF sensor, you most likely shorted out the power supply to it. Check the FI fuse that is next to the battery. Also, check the fuses in the under dash fuse panel. You will want to have your MAF connector replaced. You can do it yourself if you know how to splice and solder wiring or how to rebuild a GM weatherpack connector. These are skills that anyone who works on these cars needs to learn.

Another thing you should know. While the ECM has default values for some sensors(like the MAF) that allow it to run without input from those particular sensors, it does not have default values for some others. The CTS for one will put the car on its face and the ECM can do nothing to get around it. So unplugging sensors, unless you are familiar with the system, is not the best idea.

If you plan to do your own repairs, buy the factory manual and study it. Its published by Helms Publishing and is available online. The factory book breaks the engine management system down for easy comprehension. It is however written for people with prior understanding of electrical systems and vehicle mechanics.