I've searched the archives...cant find anything. I have a 350 in my '89 RS...and just took off the old Lo3 TBI setup in favor of an '88TPI setup. When i finished up, started it up, checked everything, took it for a test drive...I got about a mile down the road, and the car just cut off while I was driving. Then it wouldn't start back up! I checked all fuses and the injector fuse blew, so i replaced it, but it wouldn't start back up. All fuses after that were fine, fuel pump is coming on (yes i put in a TPI fuel pump), spark plugs are getting fire, has plenty of gas etc. I got a test light grounded to the chasis and poked the red wire (power wire i think) to each injector (to open the injectors up), and the car fired up, but then died right away. So I thought it might be the ground to the injectors, but they were grounded. I didn't think to see if the security light came one...but I dont think '88 had vats (my '89 did thought...maybe that's a problem?) It cranks over and sounds like normal startup, but wont start. Keep in mind that it initially ran, but cut off WHILE I WAS DRIVING....I'm sure there aren't many things that would cause that. I need help BADLY....thanks guys.

 

Now I'm REALLY comfused. I know 2 guys w/ an '87 computer, so I borrowed theirs to see what it would do w/ theirs, well the car fired right up (with both their computers), but then died right away. Same result a few times. So then when I tried to start it up, I gave it some throttle to keep it from dying, but it died the second I pressed the petal....it's like the injectors wouldn't put out the gas the motor needed to keep up w/ the amount of air I let in. Same result every time...start up, die. I just put a TPI fuel pump in the tank....so unless it already messed up or they gave me the wrong one!! But it does come on and start the car. Can the fuel pressure regulator mess up?? Today I'm going to check the fuel pressure and try and read the trouble codes (w/ my computer). If anyone has any Ideas, PLEASE help, because if I dont get this fixed by monday when I go back to work, I'm screwed!

 

I am curious to see what happens with this thread. My 88 Iroc is doing the same thing and carries 42# of fuel pressure and only drops to 37# while it runs for a few seconds. The only codes this car shows is speed sensor which should not effect idle. Now here is a common item also with the above vehicle, this IROC has not been driven for over a year. Other strange part is that about every 30-40 tries it will start and run, backed it out onto the driveway 2 weeks ago smoked the tires running it back into the shed, shut it off and now it is start and die again. And by die, I mean it shuts right down, it does not stumble and balk like it is trying to stay running. I think we may have the same problem?

 

Unplugg the mass air flow meter. If it now will run then the meter is junk and you will need a new one or a refurbished one.

 

Tried that yesterday....still didn't run. I know the meter is junk, because it kept dying at idle ever once in a while when the car was up and running....but that's not what's causing this problem. Thanks though

 

I checked the fuel pressure today....didn't get above 5 PSI!! What could be causing this?!?!? The pump is new, and I cant find any leaks in the line. FPR?? If it is VATS like I suspect, would that cause it?

 

you should still get key up presure if it were the vats. you say you only have 5 psi of presure. I'd listen for the fuel pump to run for 2 sec. on start up and then after you have oil presure. if it is running and you only have 5 psi pinch off the return line and see if it goes up if it does than your regulator is bad well start with that and see what happens also let us know what codes yah have stored.

 

When you installed the fuel pump, did you replace the little section of rubber hose with a piece of high pressure line?

That little piece of tubing is meant for a LOW pressure system, it will not stand up to the pressure of a tpi pump very long.


Hope this helps
John

 

YES, it was the MAF sensor. Charged the battery and it started twice wo the Maf plugged in. I feel Good ...NAAANAAAA...I feel Good...WOW this is better than Sex, well almost. THANKS Aaron, now you mentioned they might be rebuildable? I bought one 3-4 years ago due to damage and thought I had to buy new only. Anyway Thanks Again I will toot 3times when I pass thru Des Moines

 

When you turn the key to on position, does the engine light light up? Do you here the pump prime?

 

Yes, pump runs for the 2 seconds...it has been coming on througout this whole mess....and I have oil pressure. I'll try that w/ the return line thanks....and even if it's not the regulator, I have an AFPR I need to put on so why not go ahead and do that..it might just be the problem. Oh, and NO codes (except 12 of course).

 

Fuel filter. It is probably clogged. Change it.

Also, if that isn't it could be the intank pump. Maybe the sock collapsed.

I've even heard of a bad gas cap screwing things up.(At least its easy to check).

 

I was talking about the ones that you get from auto parts stores, yeah the are new to us but actually they are remanufactored. Unless you get one from the gm dealer most likely you will get reman one. But they also work great don't get me wrong. I had heard the ones to look for are the wells units one or he one with a circut board in the middle instead of the wire. GLAD TO HELP!!!

 

While it is running what is your fuel pressure ? If it is below 40 psi, two things come to mind, restriction in the fuel line or when you replaced the fuel pump you switched the vent & return lines at the tank, easy too do, I did it myself. The car wouldn't go over 30 mph.

 

If it were a leak in the hose, I'd still get SOME kind of FP right? I'm only getting 2-3 PSIs right now. Well if that hose is the problem, where can I get some HIGH pressure hose to replace it? Thanks

 

I'm only getting 2-3 PSI. As far as the fuel lines...I didn't put the pump in, I had a friend do that, so I wouldn't know if he did, but you say your car couldnt get over 30MPH, well when my car was running when we first got done, I got to about 80mph if not more. Thanks

 

I had a clogged fuel pump once the car was a dog and could probably it 80 but excelleration wasn't better than a Yugo.

Its 10 bucks and is between the tank and regulator.

 

Any decent auto parts store should have the right hose, you need high pressure fuel injection hose.

Another option would be to buy a pulsator valve, it replaces that little section of hose on the pump, and absorbs the shock created by the injectors when they open and close, it costs around $10.

Edit: Yes a certian amount of fuel would make it way to the regulator only because the pump is pushing it that way, but if that hose burst then most of your fuel pressure is coming out the rupture in the hose.

I'm not a mechanic, I'm only speaking from personal experience, the same thing happend to me when I did my conversion.


John

 

Problem solved guys! Turns out it was that little rubber hose in the tank...it split, causing the lack of pressure. Man, I've always said that when there's a major problem, it's usually caused by something REALLY simple. It's funny how a rubber hose no longer than an inch can cause such a huge problem...I'll tell you what though...I may have pulled some of my hair out over this, had to take out my fuel pump TWICE (and if you haven't done it....it's a PAIN), and not had a car for a week....but I've learned so much while trying to figure this out that I have no regrets, I'd do it all over again. Thanks for you help guys, you've been a big help!

:lala:

 

Hey i am glad you have your problem solved, and thanks for posting what the problem was, I wish everyone would do that.

 

Good to see you got working, glad I could help.