My 1991 Camaro RS, V6, Auto trans, wont start. It ran out of gas while my fiancee was driving it two nights ago, and since then won't start even after refueling it. I was told to try to let the fuel pump grab more gas by turning it on but not starting it, waiting for a few seconds then turning it off again and repeating this appx 10 times, this didn't work.

We then attempted to diagnose the problem and where it was coming from, we took the battery in to get tested, it tested bad so we replaced it, now it still wont start but it at least cranks and tries to. We tested the ignition coil + spark plugs, neither is sparking but as per the owners manual we tested the ignition coil with an ohmmeter and it tested fine. The security light turns on as usual for appx 3 seconds when I initially insert and turn the key as does the infil res light, which turns off after appx 10 seconds.

I am at a loss as to what is wrong with the car, and could really use any tips or tricks available.

Forewarning, I'm not really a big car guy, so I've tended to stick towards what it says in the owners manual. If you get too technical I might ask for clarification, so sorry in advance :P

 

Get a test light, test the red wire going to the coil for steady voltage, the other wire for flashing voltage. I'll look for a diagram.

 

Well we're taking the Ignition Coil as well as the ECM to Autozone to test them, in your experience are they usually good with this? My dad swears by them, but I've seen too many people get ripped off by car places to be too trustworthy. And my dad ran a test light on it earlier, it didn't light, but when he ran the OhmMeter afterwards all results were in their appropriate ranges.

I just got done checking all the fuses, one was out the 20a ACC fuse. So we replaced that, but it doesn't appear to have fixed anything at all. Does anyone have any small fixes I can try while I wait for tomorrow to arrive :P

 

You want the ignition module tested, they can't test the ecm.

 

Are you sure you're getting fuel to the engine? A lot of times when a tank is ran dry, trash/varnish that's been sitting in the bottom of the fuel tank for years can easily clog up the sock filter on the fuel pump or the fuel filter itself.

 

We aren't completely sure of anything honestly, I'm going to try to check the fuel filter tomorrow. Never even came close to touching a fuel filter so should be entertaining :P Any tips or pointers, so I don't go messing anything up? I've googled it and checked the manual, so think I should be able to do it perfectly fine.

 

Remove the gas cap first to relieve some of the pressure in the fuel lines to avoid most of the spraying that you'll get as soon as the fuel lines are loose. Also, be sure you are turning the correct nut when you're taking the filter loose -- it's very easy to turn the wrong one and kink or break your fuel line like I did when I was 16. Follow the instructions and you should be fine.

 

Alright well car is started and working fine, we had to replace a spark plug, the ignition control, 2 vacuum lines, a fuse and the battery. But it works just as well.

 

As long as it works

 

One other question, the cars rpm randomly drops to 500rpm while idling, and is there any sites I can order a hood/trunk latch from. Both of mine randomly went out at the same time.