When i go to start my sometimes it will begin to start then jsut die then you go to start it again and all it will do is crank for about 5 mins then it will start up with no problem. Im almost sure it has to do tiwh the ignition. Any ideas what it could be. I have a new coil on the car and its had a tune up about 2 months ago. Its been doing this for about 2 years but its been getting allot worse lately.

 

Check your fuel pressure. My 86 had a bad fuel pump relay and would idle fine after cranking it forever to start it but would die as soon as it was put in gear

 

How do i check that? This moring i went to start it it would like just about start then die its been doin it more and more lately

 

My car used to stall out..... turns out it was the screwed up on board computer.... just tossing out suggestions. it's mighty pricey to replace, so i'd just look at this solution as a last ditch effort.

 

Did you check for any codes? A bad MAF could cause the car to start and then stall.

 

I've had this similar problem and just put up with it. My car just wants to die when you first start up the car. A lot of suggestions I have seen have said the computer as a common problem. The computer isn't too expensive, you could get it off gmpartsdirect for a little over $100, I should try that soon.

 

I replaced the computer 2 years ago. I have another problme now a happy code 32 lol i knew once i passed 200,000 miles my car would suck lol

 

DAVID, YOU GET THE HOOD YET??
DID YOU GET A HOLD OF GRAEME FOR ME???
Does it stall as you put it in reverse?
If so, it really could be a weak vacuum line, that craps out and.....

 

I called ben and he said that theya re on back order and it might take about 2 more weeks to get so ill call him next friday. I talked to gram and he said he had your number and everything i told him u wanted to buy some stuff off him and he said ok.


My problem is when i turn the key to start it it cranks and u can hear it starting to go then it just will die then after that you can crank it and nothing happens at all jsut hear the starter go then i let it sit 5 mins and it will start up. I was thinkin it oculd be the igniton module? I just hope this car will hold up til i get the bodywork on the firebird done then i can afford to re do the engine but until then she better hold up. Im doin oil changes every 2000 miles now just so it has clean oil and now it looks like my rearmain seal is leaking .

 

David, I'll call Ben tomorrow find out what is happening.
TELL GRAEME I WANT TO BUY THE WHEELS & STUFF.
He is SO HARD TO GET AHOLD OF!
Can I meet him Friday at Cruisers?
Your modular can certainly contribute.
Rebuilt the distributor yet?
Change the timing chain?
How are starter/battery cables?

 

Ok if i see him on ill let you know im going to be in sandiego all weekend and if you dont here form me for a while that means i got arrested in mexico i pray to *** i dont.
As far as i knwo timeing chain has never been done and i never rebuilt the dist i almsot bought a new dist 100 bucks at autozone with a 1 year warrenty i think

 

I think we discovered the problem, Houston!
Mexico?
ARRIBA!!
Hey, I got compressor, DA sander, 3/8" air ratchet, 3/8" air drill, working on a 1/2 air wrench now!
Engine hoist, too!
Really, your parts are old and outta sync.
Until your car warms up, it'll act funny.
Getting 700R4 tranny shortly & the 3.4 engine soon, too!
Also the 1970 LT-1 will be arriving in the driveway maybe this weekend!
Motorcycle engine arriving sometime next week, too!
Drag part, four job offers in a week and I don't want to work....

 

K now i jsut gotta work on my EGR problem i need a gasket for it but to get the gasket i need a whole new EGR and thats 200 bucks. I cant wait to do the 3.4 swap How much can you get a very low milages 3.4 for like as low as possible with out bein a new one?
OH I LERNT how to do brakes i spent about four hundred bucks on it damn key board jsut messe dup i did calipers slotted rotors new bearings new brake line hawk hps pads and blead the brakes for never foing them before i think i did a good job the car will stop on a dime

 

David,
Within 2 weeks, I am spending $600 on obtaining another 3.4.
IF you have $600, right now or credit card, I'll get you one, also.
It's being delivered to my house w/the tranny shipped out from Dale in Wisconsin soon (THANKS DALE).
I'm very sure Marty (owner of the yard) would love to sell two 3.4's right now!
Get a hold of GRAEME please.
I'll give ya a shout later on.
You can EASILY USE Exhaust Gasket Maker in a tube for the EGR valve gasket.
Easily.

 

LOL... my car just did the same thing this morning! It started up with a "Vroom!", rose up to 2000 RPM, slowly dropped to 800 RPM- and kept dropping, right to 0. What? Started it again, Vroom!, tach goes to 0. I had to keep tapping the gas when it hit 600 RPM, then it would swing up to 2000 RPM again, and try to go back to 0. F'ing annoying... considering I was late.

I'll check it out this weekend and let you know what I find. I just hope I don't have to do my "fun" tuneup before college is out...

 

Tom.
Vacuum Leak.
By distributor, driver side, on engine.
Probably there.
Use 1/2" hose, short section, remove upper intake part to access, then use lots of oil for getting that hose on.

 

Oh my! You know, I pulled that vacuum line when I did the distributor cap! I must not have shoved it on all the way!! Ah! I'm gonna sprint out to the parking lot and check- it's lunchtime anyway.

 

Damn, the hose was on there. I started the car up, and it acted normally. I tried wiggling the vacuum hoses, but there was no change in the car's idle. I'll have to look them all over for now, make sure there's no cracks or burns; I was going to redo all the vacuum lines this summer anyway.

 

Tom, what happens is that hose deteriorates with age, oil, etc. Ends fray/crack, etc.
It very well could be time to redo the entier hose set up.
You have an 86 set up correct?
It's almost identical to the V-8 MPFI set up.
Use 5/16" windshield wiper hose to rebuild broken plastic sections.
And, really plan on just removing the top part of intake to access all the stuff.
Much easier!
I wish I could get a brass "T" fitting. I hate the plastic "T" at the EGR set up area.
My "new" one (at time of the 3.4 swap) has "reformed"!