today my car died on me while i was doing 70 on the freeway and i got the car over to the side of the freeway without getting hit (thank god) and now it will not start anymore.. Well i popped the hood and checked a couple things and i have an idea what is wrong, but i wanted a couple of other people's opinions first. here is what i did: first i checked the fuel pressure to check to see if the fuel pump went and i found that i had fuel pressure and then i precedded to check if the i was getting a spark and lo and behold i was. So at this point the engine is trying to turn over but it just quite doesn't get there, and i was wondering if maybe the sensor failed and now the engine is getting air injected into the engine or something like that.I would also like to note i am a novice at most car things so use as much layman's terms as possible. any and all help and ifo would be greatly appreciated.

 

Need more info first:
1. What kind of engine do you have (v6, v8, TPI I assume)
2. What did it feel like when it died (like run out of gas, made a noise, lights went dim)
3. How many miles on the engine.
4. I'm guessing it still turns over, just wont start up, correct?
5. How exactly did you check for fuel pressure (use a guage, or just stick your finger on the valve)?

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Rob
'86 TA 305 TPI
Gutted MAF, Ported Plenum
TB Bypass, Home made Cold Air Intake,
Edelbrock T.E.S.

[This message has been edited by R.O.B. (edited July 27, 2001).]

 

it is a v8 305 tpi, there are i think about 140,000 miles on the engine, this is based on what the previous owner told me becuase the odometer doesn't go that high or something like that. the car does turn over, and it just doewsn't start. the guy that checked the fuel pressure for me took a cap off of somewhere and pressed his screwdriver into where the cap cam off of and gas sprayed out, so he said i had fuel pressure. when the engine died it started to make a sputtering noise, and then i pushed the gas pedal to see if i could accelerate thru the noise, and when i pressed the gas pedal the car would not accelerate at all, so after i figured out it wouldn't accelerate, i got it over tot he side of the freeway and turned the engine off and tried to restart it because i figured that it would just restart and everything would be fine but it never started again, it turns over but it just doesn't start.

 

Same thing happend to my friends camaro, had spark, fuel, and it turned over, and it stalled while he was going down the road and he barley got of.. Turned out to be something in the distributor. Had it rebuilt and it worked just fine. Might wanna take the ignition control modual out, have that tested, and then replace the pickup also. Replace rotor etc. Should cost about $20. Unless the modual is bad, then ur looking at another $70.

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88' GTA 350 MODS---> air foil, K&N, Shift Kit, 180* therm, TB bypass

 

two things one are you getting a check engine light when you turn the key forward?you should if you dont the ecm could be bad second take out he module take it to an auto store they will be able to test it.

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87 trans am,gm crate 350(4 bolt mains 10to1),L98 aluminum heads,LT4 hot cam,slp runners,slp 1 5/8 headers,3in.y-pipe,edelbrock base,hi flo cat,air foil,afpr,as&m ported plenum,gutted airbox,t-5 tranny w/centerforce clutch and a 3.27 9bolt(11.9in. brakes),ed wright's fastchip,relocated iat sensor,160 fan switch,tb bypass,accel supercoil,cap& rotor,hollowed maf,slp 3in. catback,a/c delete.

shooting for 13's!!!!!!!

14.10@97mph w/2.01 60'(auto ET)
14.53@96mph w/2.33 60'(no traction stick et)
slp catback is finally on!!!
fastchip prom is in.
kicks you in the A.S.S at wot.
FLOWMASTER S.U.C.K.S

 

I have 3 guesses.
1. Check the fuel pressure by a guage, you may have 20psi, enough to squirt out, but not enough to start your car. You need at least 35psi by the way.

2. Possible ignition module. $35.00, not to bad if were wrong.

3. Does it spin over faster than normal? With 140K+ on the speedo, you may have slipped a tooth on the timing chain.

 

hey everybody! thank you for all the great info and help, i took it to a shop and the guy there checked the fuel pressure with a gauge and that was what it turned out to be. so i guess it's gonna have to get a whole new fuel pump put in, the shop is pretty packed right now, so i'm gonna be without my car for awhile. thank you all for all the help i really appreciate it!