Engine dies if I touch the throttle, but only after driving 1 mile.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
Car: 1990 Z/28
Engine: 5.0
Engine dies if I touch the throttle, but only after driving 1 mile.
Hey guys, I have a 90' Z/28 5.0 AT Camaro (TPI). As the title states, only after driving a mile, the engine will die if I touch the throttle. When in park it runs perfect whether the engine is hot or cold, it also runs perfect driving before hitting a mile, but after that, it goes to crap. The car has had all of the EGR system removed except the EGR valve (previous owner's doing). I feel like the car could be expecting the EGR to kick in after driving a bit and then gets nothing or maybe gets air? Maybe I need to change some things in TunerPro? It also has an engine code, 43 I believe (knock sensor code).
Recently replaced components:
Exhaust/ headers
Ignition Control Module
Knock Sensor
Injectors cleaned/tested
Fuel pump
Fuel filter
Plugs
Oil Pressure Sensor
Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.
Recently replaced components:
Exhaust/ headers
Ignition Control Module
Knock Sensor
Injectors cleaned/tested
Fuel pump
Fuel filter
Plugs
Oil Pressure Sensor
Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,030
Likes: 2,499
Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: Engine dies if I touch the throttle, but only after driving 1 mile.
Probably not the EGR. It's not really a "system"; just the UFO valve on top of the intake under the plenum, and a small solenoid nearby. And in any case, it doesn't "kick in" and do something that would make it do, or keep it from doing, anything of the kind.
What is your fuel pressure WHILE IT'S IN THE ACT OF SCREWING UP? That is, at the instant it dies, NOT sitting in the driveway idling. Duct-tape your FP gauge to the windshield to find out. Keeping in mind, "recently replaced" is NOT the same as "good" let alone "perfect".
Also, have you tried just replacing the coolant temp sensor? Eeeeeezyer to just swap it out that to try to troubleshoot it and figure out if whatever you find out is right or not.
What is your fuel pressure WHILE IT'S IN THE ACT OF SCREWING UP? That is, at the instant it dies, NOT sitting in the driveway idling. Duct-tape your FP gauge to the windshield to find out. Keeping in mind, "recently replaced" is NOT the same as "good" let alone "perfect".
Also, have you tried just replacing the coolant temp sensor? Eeeeeezyer to just swap it out that to try to troubleshoot it and figure out if whatever you find out is right or not.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
Car: 1990 Z/28
Engine: 5.0
Re: Engine dies if I touch the throttle, but only after driving 1 mile.
Temp sensor is a likely candidate, I'll give that a shot.
Which coolant sensor would need to be replaced? If I recall correctly, one is just a coolant temp sending unit and the other is the one that communicates the temp to the computer. Where is each located?
I assume you are referencing the shape of the valve when you say UFO?
I was scratching my head for a solid 5 minutes trying to figure out what in the crap a UFO valve is and what it stands for.
Which coolant sensor would need to be replaced? If I recall correctly, one is just a coolant temp sending unit and the other is the one that communicates the temp to the computer. Where is each located?
I assume you are referencing the shape of the valve when you say UFO?
I was scratching my head for a solid 5 minutes trying to figure out what in the crap a UFO valve is and what it stands for.
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,030
Likes: 2,499
Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: Engine dies if I touch the throttle, but only after driving 1 mile.
UFO = Unidentified Flying Object
Most of us will imagine a more or less saucer-shaped object. In your car, it's underneath the plenum, on top of the intake manifold. You'll know it when you see it. It's hard to get to; I doubt somehow, knowing humans as I do (I've been existing among them for most of one of your species' centuries now so you'd think I should have some knowledge about them by now) that since it's "hard", they probably didn't bother with it in any manner way shape form or fashion.
The coolant temp sensor is on the front of the intake, below the throttle body. The connector has 2 wires; a yellow and a black.
Most of us will imagine a more or less saucer-shaped object. In your car, it's underneath the plenum, on top of the intake manifold. You'll know it when you see it. It's hard to get to; I doubt somehow, knowing humans as I do (I've been existing among them for most of one of your species' centuries now so you'd think I should have some knowledge about them by now) that since it's "hard", they probably didn't bother with it in any manner way shape form or fashion.
The coolant temp sensor is on the front of the intake, below the throttle body. The connector has 2 wires; a yellow and a black.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 11
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From: Charlotte, NC
Car: 1990 Z/28
Engine: 5.0
Re: Engine dies if I touch the throttle, but only after driving 1 mile.

Thanks! After the 5 minutes of head scratching I remembered seeing Marvin the Martian attempting to fly off with the EGR valve when I torn down my intake to clean the injectors out.
I’ll let you know if the temp sensor works.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
Car: 1990 Z/28
Engine: 5.0
Re: Engine dies if I touch the throttle, but only after driving 1 mile.
Update: put the coolant temp sensor in, problem still persists.
Any other ideas?
Might pull the ECU and make sure everything looks good in it.
Any other ideas?
Might pull the ECU and make sure everything looks good in it.
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 16,926
Likes: 1,016
From: Mile High Country !!!
Car: 1967 Camaro, 91 z28
Engine: Lb9
Transmission: M20
Axle/Gears: J65 pbr on stock posi 10bolt
Re: Engine dies if I touch the throttle, but only after driving 1 mile.
Original injectors? Have you ohmed them while engine is warm ?
could be a ignition related issue as well . A tuneup would be a good start then maybe pu coil.
could be a ignition related issue as well . A tuneup would be a good start then maybe pu coil.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
Car: 1990 Z/28
Engine: 5.0
Re: Engine dies if I touch the throttle, but only after driving 1 mile.
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 16,926
Likes: 1,016
From: Mile High Country !!!
Car: 1967 Camaro, 91 z28
Engine: Lb9
Transmission: M20
Axle/Gears: J65 pbr on stock posi 10bolt
Re: Engine dies if I touch the throttle, but only after driving 1 mile.
Sorry only say the injectors where cleaned and tested but didn’t see if there could were breaking down.
Still have a catalytic converter on the car ?
Still have a catalytic converter on the car ?
Last edited by Tuned Performance; Apr 26, 2020 at 12:20 PM.
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,030
Likes: 2,499
Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: Engine dies if I touch the throttle, but only after driving 1 mile.
What's the fuel pressure WHILE IT'S IN THE ACT OF SCREWING UP? (not, sitting idling happily in your driveway)
I'd leave the ECM alone if it was mine. They don't act like that when they go bad. Digital things mostly tend to fail digitally; that is, works / doesn't work. Not, respond to the throttle strangely.
I'd leave the ECM alone if it was mine. They don't act like that when they go bad. Digital things mostly tend to fail digitally; that is, works / doesn't work. Not, respond to the throttle strangely.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
Car: 1990 Z/28
Engine: 5.0
Re: Engine dies if I touch the throttle, but only after driving 1 mile.
I did as Sofakingdom recommended and hooked up the Fuel Pressure Gauge as it was messing up. Sure enough, the pressure was dropping like Miley Cyrus in 2014.
Here's a video of what it was doing. Somewhat difficult to see, but clearly it went to 0 FP and was bouncing tremendously.
Also, for the first time, it had the same issue while parked, not just driving. It appears to only do this when it is up to temperature.
Could this be the FPR or?
Thanks y'all
Here's a video of what it was doing. Somewhat difficult to see, but clearly it went to 0 FP and was bouncing tremendously.
Also, for the first time, it had the same issue while parked, not just driving. It appears to only do this when it is up to temperature.
Could this be the FPR or?
Thanks y'all
Senior Member


Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 580
Likes: 33
From: Montgomery, AL
Car: 84 El Camino
Engine: 360 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 + Truetrac, Moser 28 Spline
Re: Engine dies if I touch the throttle, but only after driving 1 mile.
Ditto what SofaK said. Forget the ECM. It generally takes a bomb to hurt one.
Let engine run for 10-15 seconds and shut off. Pull off FPR vacuum line. If fuel in line, replace regulator. Otherwise, follow the tests in the attached.
My bet: bad regulator or failing pump.
But:
-Do you generally start engine while pump is priming or after it completes priming?
-Does it start up easily when cold?
-Describe starting after dying with 0 pressure.
Let engine run for 10-15 seconds and shut off. Pull off FPR vacuum line. If fuel in line, replace regulator. Otherwise, follow the tests in the attached.
My bet: bad regulator or failing pump.
But:
-Do you generally start engine while pump is priming or after it completes priming?
-Does it start up easily when cold?
-Describe starting after dying with 0 pressure.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
Car: 1990 Z/28
Engine: 5.0
Re: Engine dies if I touch the throttle, but only after driving 1 mile.
Update for future reference:
I replaced the injectors with some good ole eBay ones and she runs like a champ.
issue fixed.
I replaced the injectors with some good ole eBay ones and she runs like a champ.
issue fixed.
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 16,926
Likes: 1,016
From: Mile High Country !!!
Car: 1967 Camaro, 91 z28
Engine: Lb9
Transmission: M20
Axle/Gears: J65 pbr on stock posi 10bolt
Re: Engine dies if I touch the throttle, but only after driving 1 mile.
Another multec sucks thread
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