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1987 Camaro IROC Z28 Will Crank But Not Start

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Old Jan 4, 2016 | 06:11 PM
  #1  
gregmy123's Avatar
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1987 Camaro IROC Z28 Will Crank But Not Start

Hi Everyone,

Hope you guys can help me with this.

1987 Chevy IROC Z28/5.7L/ TPI/VIN 8/AT - Nearly 160,000 Miles/ Fuel Pump is fairly new according to last owner - no receipt.

Can't figure out why she won't start. Only cranks over. Here is list of what I have replaced and the tests I have done.

Replaced:

fuel filter
Spark Plugs
Distributor Cap
Rotor
External Ignition Coil
ICM/with thermal compound ( Cheap one ordered off Ebay)

I have no "Service Engine Soon" light when I turn key to On. Bulb is good.
Fuses in fuse box under drivers side dashboard all check out as good.
The 20 amp fuse mounted on passengers side engine compartment by battery is good.

Tests I have done:
I connected spark plug tester to all spark plugs and spark plug wires (which are fairly new), and cranked engine and got flashing light at each.
pick Up coil tested OK with multi-meter.
I connected 12 V to G terminal on AlDL to test fuel pump- fuel pump turns on.
Removed fuel feed line at engine fuel rail and again connected 12 V to G terminal of ALDL and fuel pump pumped out a pint in 5 seconds.
Connected fuel pressure tester to fuel rail and turned key to on and get no pressure reading.

Hope you guys can give me some guidance!

Thank You!

Greg

Last edited by gregmy123; Jan 4, 2016 at 08:16 PM.
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Old Jan 4, 2016 | 09:50 PM
  #2  
CapsFan's Avatar
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Claremore, OK
Car: 1990 IROC Z28
Engine: 350 TPI
Re: 1987 Camaro IROC Z28 Will Crank But Not Start

Originally Posted by gregmy123
Hi Everyone,

Hope you guys can help me with this.

1987 Chevy IROC Z28/5.7L/ TPI/VIN 8/AT - Nearly 160,000 Miles/ Fuel Pump is fairly new according to last owner - no receipt.

Can't figure out why she won't start. Only cranks over. Here is list of what I have replaced and the tests I have done.

Replaced:

fuel filter
Spark Plugs
Distributor Cap
Rotor
External Ignition Coil
ICM/with thermal compound ( Cheap one ordered off Ebay)

I have no "Service Engine Soon" light when I turn key to On. Bulb is good.
Fuses in fuse box under drivers side dashboard all check out as good.
The 20 amp fuse mounted on passengers side engine compartment by battery is good.

Tests I have done:
I connected spark plug tester to all spark plugs and spark plug wires (which are fairly new), and cranked engine and got flashing light at each.
pick Up coil tested OK with multi-meter.
I connected 12 V to G terminal on AlDL to test fuel pump- fuel pump turns on.
Removed fuel feed line at engine fuel rail and again connected 12 V to G terminal of ALDL and fuel pump pumped out a pint in 5 seconds.
Connected fuel pressure tester to fuel rail and turned key to on and get no pressure reading.

Hope you guys can give me some guidance!

Thank You!

Greg
Hi Greg,

I have a 1990 IROC thats doing the same thing. I didn't do much to it yet, checked the fuse for the fuel pump, the relay is working & I changed fuel pump. I put it on a scanner & it's not throwing any codes. I'm an old school car guy so I think I'll be taking mine into the shop & let them fix it. I have a thread started about my not starting problem, you might want to do a search for it. I'll be posting what fixed it as soon as I find out. Good luck!

Last edited by CapsFan; Jan 4, 2016 at 09:50 PM. Reason: spelling error
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Old Jan 5, 2016 | 09:26 AM
  #3  
gregmy123's Avatar
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 25
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Re: 1987 Camaro IROC Z28 Will Crank But Not Start

Hi CapsFan,

OK, I will check out your thread!

I'm about ready to bring to shop also. What I don't quite understand is why my fuel pump does not prime for 2 seconds when I turn the key to "on" and therefore does not pressurize the fuel rail as I get zero pressure on my fuel pressure tester at fitting. I am going to replace fuel pump relay to see if that helps.
I see that some folks mention OP switch or sender as being back up for fuel pump circuit if relay fails. But you need to crank engine longer to get oil pressure up to close circuit. I may replace this also. WTF.

Thanks!
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Old Jan 5, 2016 | 12:10 PM
  #4  
CapsFan's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Claremore, OK
Car: 1990 IROC Z28
Engine: 350 TPI
Re: 1987 Camaro IROC Z28 Will Crank But Not Start

Originally Posted by gregmy123
Hi CapsFan,

OK, I will check out your thread!

I'm about ready to bring to shop also. What I don't quite understand is why my fuel pump does not prime for 2 seconds when I turn the key to "on" and therefore does not pressurize the fuel rail as I get zero pressure on my fuel pressure tester at fitting. I am going to replace fuel pump relay to see if that helps.
I see that some folks mention OP switch or sender as being back up for fuel pump circuit if relay fails. But you need to crank engine longer to get oil pressure up to close circuit. I may replace this also. WTF.

Thanks!
Decided today to have a new ignition key made. After a little research, I found that a bad ignition key (resistance for VATS) may cause the car to crank but not start. I need another set of keys anyway. I'll check the resistance on the key and have a new one made, see what happens then.

See ya.
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Old Oct 29, 2020 | 07:39 PM
  #5  
Tyanez74's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Re: 1987 Camaro IROC Z28 Will Crank But Not Start

Hi Greg,

mine is doing the same. Did you figure out the issue? If so, I may do the same.

thanks!
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Old Aug 14, 2025 | 06:01 PM
  #6  
Skii's Avatar
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Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 46
Likes: 4
From: Las Vegas, NV
Car: 1987 IROC
Engine: 305 but working on 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Posi
Re: 1987 Camaro IROC Z28 Will Crank But Not Start

Originally Posted by Tyanez74
Hi Greg,

mine is doing the same. Did you figure out the issue? If so, I may do the same.

thanks!
Of course he did.....the thing is with all the passing through members here is that when they have a problem and post it, everyone needs to or has to drop everything and give them a hint to what is wrong and what to check and how. After they fix their problem, which keep in mind, is the only specific problem to that specific car, so nobody else will experience that same issue with their car (being sarcastic), therefore they don't update their findings and solutions.
That's why I hate searching forums for answers....less then 50% post their resolution and for people that look through all these articles/post looking for similar problems and answers....

How sad....and all forums suffer same issue. Most BMW posts are even worse!!!!
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Old May 20, 2026 | 07:47 AM
  #7  
arbenb's Avatar
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Joined: May 2026
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Car: 1991 Camaro RS V6 3.1L
Engine: V6 3.1L
Transmission: Auto 4 speed
Re: 1987 Camaro IROC Z28 Will Crank But Not Start

Hi
I have 1991 camaro rs v6, project car, i was not getting fuel or fuel pressure even after replacing the fuel pump, filter and delivery system. Finaly i decidet to check the fuel lines.
I found that they where baddly corroded where the fuel mount holder is (very tinny holes air was getting in).
Replaced the fuel lines and now getting fuel and fuel pressure of 40 PSI when crank or engine running.
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