Gonna try to make this short as possible. Picked up a 87 GTA with the 5.7 TPI about a week or so ago. Car sat for roughly 7 years in one spot. Gas tank went bad so I picked up another and also a new sending unit/fuel pump. Before putting in the tank, (which is still not in) I dropped the pump in a bucket of gas and tried starting it but no dice. I did notice though that the return line had sent some old/rusty fuel back into the bucket. Changed it, and tried again, nothing. I can spray starter fluid in the intake and she fires for a few seconds. I haven't hooked up a gauge to check fuel pressure yet but I know it's at least getting to the rail. Have only done a injector ohm test on a few and all were in spec.

First. Am I missing something by not having the pump properly in the tank?
What PSI should I be getting in the RUN position at the rail?
Is it possible I have a bad regulator/clogged injectors?

Another thing too is my MAF as a broken contact and I'd imagine it's totally dead cause of this. Does that matter with just trying to get it started?

To my knowledge, the car ran perfectly fine before the previous driver just one day decided to stop driving it. And I see no traces of foul play.

 

The MAF will cause issues. Replace it.


The fuel pump, IS out of the car, as I read your post right? When you turn the car "On" then, you should hear the pump running. If can you here it whirring/running when you turn the key "on", the pump is good and it's something else.

I want to say 45ish psi is where you should be.I

Ohm your injectors, make sure they are good. Those could be clogged causing issues as well. Very possible that after 7 years of sitting they are clogged/have gone bad.

Have you replaced the plugs/plug wires and cap/rotor? That will only help things, but it won't be why it's not firing over.

 

Thanks for the help!

The pump is making noise back there and all. Haven't gotten a gauge on it yet. I pulled all the injectors and noticed they were clogged with old, rusty particles. I'm guessing old gas. Hooked everything back up to the fuel rail and got the injectors plugged in. Held it above the intake and tried starting the car to see if the injectors sprayed any fuel, got nothing. If that's even how you do that?

I also tried pulling codes and I got a constant 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12. When I jumped the diagnostic port, my fans kicked on and I only got 12's.

Where am I headed here?

 

Pretty sure 12 is the standard code that "Yup, it's working"...basically tells you that the general diagnostic circuit is functioning and that nothing else is flagged as being wrong.

 

Just a update.

Still no start. PSI is at 40 with KOEO. Checked resistance on the injectors and all are in the 16 range. ECM fuse is good. Haven't replaced any of the ignition system parts due to it starting up with starter fluid. Or is that wrong? Any further help would be greatly appreciated.

 

So that pretty much rules out a fuel supply issue.

The injectors could be good "electrically", and be clogged, so no fuel is getting into the intake.

As long as the car is cranking over, and almost firing, your starter is good. Also, for my piece of mind after not running for 7 years, I'd replace the plugs, plug wires, cap, rotor and ignition module.

I'd also repalce the EGR valve (Can cause issues).

 

 

Crap. Was hoping this went on . I have the same Car, wich sat for 7yrs ,and had virtually the same problem. New Fuel Pump went in.Ran reasonably good. New fuel filter as well. Then not so good in short test drives.Started replacing all the sensors,valves ect. New Cap, Rotor, wires ect. Had a bad Alternater, so wouldnt run long enough to test. Did that. Checked fuel pressure. Good at 45ish when starting. Drops to 31 when running rough. Barley holds an Idle at aroud 1200. Shut it off and Pressure quickly drops to zero! Have not checked injectors yet. Has new FPR. Fan also turns on when ADL Testing Codes. Weird stuff?

 

It's been 30 years since these cars left the factory. New injectors should be considered good preventive maintenance at this point.

 

 

Injectors are a must after sitting for that long. Fuel pressure regulator also. Just throw them straight in the trash. It's not worth testing them in any way. They are 100% garbage.

GD

 

It was the injectors! I swapped them all out for a set of Bosch III's and it ran great.

 

thanks

 

Thanks. Looks like that will be next on my list.

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/engi...hbay-24-a.html

 

Cool! Thanks for letting us know the solution to your problem. How hard was it to change the injectors? I've heard it is a pita.