Tech / General Engine Is your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Help, car wont run

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 6, 2016 | 09:43 PM
  #1  
Anthony0128's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Help, car wont run

Recently purchased cap rotor wires and coil to see if my car would run once again 92 camaro rs tbi 305 and it still does not. I've have this on going problem of it cranking for many seconds before turning on but it will automatically turn off without touching it once it's want to turn on. I try to step on the gas but it sounds like it chockes out and it dies. I've replaced the fuel tank fuel pump water pump injectors iac tps cts rebuilt tbi water pump fuel filter fuel pump relay plus most of the ignition system and I don't know what else to switch or do. Someone help me out I want to fix it but idk what else to do. The car is pretty old it sat for 8 years so of course it has problems but I've done almost enough to have it running. I flushed the system it has brand new coolant and my last option would be to take to a mechanic. Any help would be appreciated
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2016 | 10:32 PM
  #2  
tealman92's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 998
Likes: 19
From: Ontario, California
Car: 1992 Z28
Engine: 383
Transmission: 700R4
Re: Help, car wont run

How about the ignition control module in the distributor? And coil? Were those changed?
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2016 | 10:37 PM
  #3  
Anthony0128's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Re: Help, car wont run

Coil yes but not the module. The distributor was rusted I couldn't get the rotor off I had to pry it off. So I want to switch out the dizzy but I know nothing for timing so I'll get someone to do it but could the module be the problem
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2016 | 12:51 AM
  #4  
tealman92's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 998
Likes: 19
From: Ontario, California
Car: 1992 Z28
Engine: 383
Transmission: 700R4
Re: Help, car wont run

Yeah. Is the pick up coil in the dizzy rusted up ad well? Might want to just change the entire distributor.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2016 | 08:02 AM
  #5  
Anthony0128's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Re: Help, car wont run

It didn't look to be rusted but I might as well switch out the whole dizzy since it's really rusted from the top and im sure from the bottom it is as well.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2016 | 08:03 AM
  #6  
Anthony0128's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Re: Help, car wont run

Let's say the distributor isn't working right and is in need of change, what problems would it be giving me ?
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2016 | 08:41 AM
  #7  
JoeMonte's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 116
Likes: 1
From: Bangor, Maine
Car: 1985 Pontiac Trans Am WS6
Engine: 360ci sbc
Transmission: T-5 non-WC
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: Help, car wont run

A combustion engine needs fuel, spark, air, and a whole lot of money. It sounds like you have fuel and air, and the distributor is the source of spark for the combustion process. What did the distributor look like? If your car sat, it could've gotten water in places it shouldn't have, such as the distributor. A new distributor is at most 100-150, and replace the plug wires while you're at it. It isn't that difficult to replace, and you can probably find a timing light pretty easy and get your base timing roughly set to see if it wants to run now. I'd also take a minute to look for vacuum leaks.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2016 | 08:53 AM
  #8  
Anthony0128's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Re: Help, car wont run

The top looked rusted pretty bad like I said I couldn't remove the rotor with ease. I had to pry it off with a hammer, wasn't too smart but it wouldn't budge. The car did sit a long time almost 8 years, so I don't doubt that the dizzy is bad. I changed out almost every piece of the ignition system and yes it has new wires. The car ran well for a bit and I had found a vaccum line that was torn it went to the vaccum ball. So that was a leak but I got it fixed easily. The car ran for a short period except it wouldn't go over 3000 rpm. I don't understand why its not working now but I'm getting the distributor replaced and my timing checked.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2016 | 09:41 AM
  #9  
JoeMonte's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 116
Likes: 1
From: Bangor, Maine
Car: 1985 Pontiac Trans Am WS6
Engine: 360ci sbc
Transmission: T-5 non-WC
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: Help, car wont run

You said most of the ignition system, that includes new plugs, correct? Obviously not the problem here but it can't hurt. I'm not a TBI guy so I don't know all the little electrical issues that can pop up but any codes?
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2016 | 09:46 AM
  #10  
Anthony0128's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Re: Help, car wont run

Yeah of course I threw some new plugs on it and no its not throwing any codes. I just want to fix it, its an on going problem that hasn't been fixed.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2016 | 01:31 PM
  #11  
tealman92's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 998
Likes: 19
From: Ontario, California
Car: 1992 Z28
Engine: 383
Transmission: 700R4
Re: Help, car wont run

But did you replace the ignition control module inside the distributor? This will cause the same symtoms you describe
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2016 | 03:03 PM
  #12  
Anthony0128's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Re: Help, car wont run

No I did not. I should've but I'm going to take it to get tested if its bad Oh well I'm buying a whole new damn distributor either way. It sat for 8 years, so I mean it's bound to have problems. But I'll make sure to get it tested.
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2016 | 06:29 PM
  #13  
Anthony0128's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Re: Help, car wont run

Just got the icm tested and it tested well, so I guess that isn't the problem but maybe there's bad wiring or something, so if this isn't the problem what else could it be ?
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2016 | 09:49 AM
  #14  
Tuned Performance's Avatar
Sponsor
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Community Favorite
iTrader: (94)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 16,737
Likes: 994
From: Mile High Country !!!
Car: 1967 Camaro, 91 z28
Engine: Lb9
Transmission: M20
Axle/Gears: J65 pbr on stock posi 10bolt
Re: Help, car wont run

Looks like you don't have spark ? Do you have 12v to the coil and I mean (pink wire).
Have you homed the pu coil ?
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2016 | 11:06 AM
  #15  
Anthony0128's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Re: Help, car wont run

Last week I changed out coil wires rotor and cap the plugs are new as well. I performed a test yesterday from the coil and I got an orange spark and I read that it means I may have a weak spark. My distributor is rusted badly so I'm throwing out the old one and getting a new one. Would that help give it spark?
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2016 | 12:11 AM
  #16  
Hotrodp38's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Car: 1989 trans am gta /2001 Jeep wj
Re: Help, car wont run

I would go buy a new distributor from msd. I chose too rebuild mine new pick up coil ,new ignition control module etc. Runs like a charm now
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2016 | 05:18 PM
  #17  
Anthony0128's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Re: Help, car wont run

Originally Posted by Hotrodp38
I would go buy a new distributor from msd. I chose too rebuild mine new pick up coil ,new ignition control module etc. Runs like a charm now
Did you have the same problem? Just got my new distributor and im going to switch out this weekend I'm hoping this is the culprit I'll keep you all updated thanks for the help !👍
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2017 | 09:28 AM
  #18  
JoeMonte's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 116
Likes: 1
From: Bangor, Maine
Car: 1985 Pontiac Trans Am WS6
Engine: 360ci sbc
Transmission: T-5 non-WC
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: Help, car wont run

Any updates?
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2017 | 11:50 AM
  #19  
Anthony0128's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Re: Help, car wont run

Not yet, I'm waiting on a mechanic and as soon as get my results I'll let you know
Reply
Old Jan 10, 2017 | 11:00 PM
  #20  
Anthony0128's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Re: Help, car wont run

Update: Replaced the dizzy and now I have more than enough spark to get my car running. Got it running but once again it stalls out. Checked ground everything turned out good so it's not the spark. Well mechanic kept checking things and eventually said my tbi pod is messed up and the gas I have in the tank is crap. A screw on the tbi pod is lose due to the threading messing up which can lead to into worse things so I bought a new one. But he told me I have to once again drop the tank and remove all the old gas but the reason the gas is bad coming from my mechanic is due to me putting a fuel cleaner but never actaully letting it run through the system. Car sat an extra 6 months so the cleaner sat with gas don't know if that makes any sense. But now I'm dropping the tank and replacing the tbi and the fuel sender while at it. I'll keep you all updated on how that turns out.
Reply
Old Jan 10, 2017 | 11:33 PM
  #21  
zed-028's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 517
Likes: 4
From: Perth Western Australia
Car: 1987 Z28 Camaro
Engine: 305 LG4 4bbl
Transmission: TH700R4
Re: Help, car wont run

clogged cat
Reply
Old Jan 10, 2017 | 11:34 PM
  #22  
Anthony0128's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Re: Help, car wont run

Removed it years ago. Has a bullet on it now
Reply
Old Jan 11, 2017 | 12:15 AM
  #23  
zed-028's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 517
Likes: 4
From: Perth Western Australia
Car: 1987 Z28 Camaro
Engine: 305 LG4 4bbl
Transmission: TH700R4
Re: Help, car wont run

ah the old tank cleaner - interesting stuff

by making all the crap in the bottom of the tank combustible it drops the octane level of the fuel causing pinging, dieseling and all sorts of weird and wonderful things.

If youve got a pump in the tank just pull the line, run the pump and pump it through, when its empty replace the filters, fill up, run the tank dry (probably replace another filter lol)

dropping the tank is a huge pain in the ***

could have some injector varnishing also.
Reply
Old Jan 11, 2017 | 12:18 AM
  #24  
Anthony0128's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Re: Help, car wont run

Well good thing is I have brand new injectors and a brand new pump and tank but yeah the octane level dropped a lot meaning the gas it had which I put rougly 6 months ago then dropped some sea foam in but never ran the car fully probably caused this mess up. And yeah a new fuel filter again would help as well. But I don't mind dropping it i did it in 45 minutes before so honestly i don't mind
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:02 AM.