So i was at school the other day, and i left my paking lights on. This killed the battery, so I jumped the car. Fired right up and ran as normal. Sitting in line to leave, the car stalled out. So I re-start the car, and i have no gauges. Also the car is running very rough. If you are gentle on the car, its worse, if you drive a little more agressively its better. Its not necessarily backfiring, but more of a misfire, with occasional popping and in general huge lack of power/abiltly to run under a load. So I limp the car to my shop. Fuel pressure good, TPS set, No SES light, even with the rough running/no power. Double check timing which I know was set at 8* btdc EST unplugged, and the timing is now approx 40-50* BTDC. If i try to bring the timing back, it cuts out and dies before even getting close, advance it even more to say 60* BTDC, it idles better, same popping/backfiring/loss of power. I'm puzzled. Timing Chain? Dist Gear? Its an 85 Z28 With the LB9.

 

Sounds like the ECM took a poop. The check engine light should come on with the EST Unplugged.

 

Alright, How do i verify that this is my problem?

 

With the gauges shorting out, and the fuse popping, my CEL doesnt come on.

 

Can i get codes from a handheld scanner? Or is the port dead along with the light and gauges?