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3.1 starts then dies

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Old Sep 24, 2009 | 06:29 PM
  #1  
punked69's Avatar
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3.1 starts then dies

I bought a 91 firebird with a fuel injected 3.1L in it. The car had been sitting for about a year. The car starts up for about 3-4 sec. then dies the idle is rough for those few sec's. I have replaced the fuel pump, fuel filter, MAP sensor, drained and changed the fuel, checked the fuel pressure it is at about 43, and it isnt throwing any codes. If you spray starter fluid in the intake it will stay running, but take it away and it dies. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

Last edited by punked69; Sep 24, 2009 at 06:45 PM.
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Old Sep 24, 2009 | 07:23 PM
  #2  
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From: Marengo,IA
Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 2.8L out of a 89 camaro
Transmission: 5 speed
Axle/Gears: ?
Re: 3.1 starts then dies

sounds like injector issue.
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Old Sep 24, 2009 | 08:15 PM
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Car: 2003 Hyundai Tiburon GT
Engine: 2.7L V6
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Axle/Gears: 4.41
Re: 3.1 starts then dies

Originally Posted by enswrob
sounds like injector issue.
Inlet screens on the injectors are probably clogged with gummed fuel. I'd also change the plugs and wires and make sure no mice or anything chewed on the wiring.
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Old Sep 25, 2009 | 05:56 AM
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From: Middletown, NY
Car: 1991 RS
Engine: 350
Transmission: 350 turbo
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: 3.1 starts then dies

Definitely sound like injectors. I have a set of 6 injectors that I tested with my ohm scale and came back good. One of the 6 is brand new (with receipt) 3 of them are original GM. If interested email me I'm getting rid of them CHEAP. yeargin@live.com. Most likely you will have only one or two that need replacing but worth while getting a whole set and keeping some spares.
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Old Sep 26, 2009 | 12:00 PM
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Re: 3.1 starts then dies

Thanks for the input I'm trying to get ahold of a muiltimeter so I can test the injectors. I'll keep you guys posted on what happens.

I also found tha the oil pressure switch was bad but it still didn't make but a little difference when replaced.
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Old Sep 26, 2009 | 12:20 PM
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Maverick H1L's Avatar
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From: LeRoy, NY
Car: 2003 Hyundai Tiburon GT
Engine: 2.7L V6
Transmission: 6-speed
Axle/Gears: 4.41
Re: 3.1 starts then dies

Originally Posted by tman1753
Definitely sound like injectors. I have a set of 6 injectors that I tested with my ohm scale and came back good. One of the 6 is brand new (with receipt) 3 of them are original GM. If interested email me I'm getting rid of them CHEAP. yeargin@live.com. Most likely you will have only one or two that need replacing but worth while getting a whole set and keeping some spares.
How cheap? I just bought a set a couple of months ago with a rail that 5 out of the set seem to either be clogged or just FUBARed.
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Old Oct 1, 2009 | 10:49 PM
  #7  
sheppard571's Avatar
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From: Murfreesboro, TN
Car: 1990 Camaro
Engine: 3.1L
Transmission: Automatic
Re: 3.1 starts then dies

I have a similar problem but mine starts up fine and runs great, but when it warms up and i turn it off it wont start again.. it has a brand new fuel pump and filter, plug wires, distributor, rotor button, ignition coil, IAC vavle, and TPS, i had the ignition module tested at two different stores and both said its good, and now im out of ideas
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Old Oct 1, 2009 | 10:59 PM
  #8  
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From: London, Ont, Canada
Car: 87 T-Top GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: 3.1 starts then dies

Originally Posted by punked69
I bought a 91 firebird with a fuel injected 3.1L in it. The car had been sitting for about a year. The car starts up for about 3-4 sec. then dies the idle is rough for those few sec's. I have replaced the fuel pump, fuel filter, MAP sensor, drained and changed the fuel, checked the fuel pressure it is at about 43, and it isnt throwing any codes. If you spray starter fluid in the intake it will stay running, but take it away and it dies. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.
OMG!, We have been going through the samething but all fixed now!!! PLEASE try this thread...
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...art-story.html
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Old Oct 1, 2009 | 11:03 PM
  #9  
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From: London, Ont, Canada
Car: 87 T-Top GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: 3.1 starts then dies

I know its alot of reading, alot of GOOD info, I got a good feeling that the answer to your problem can be found there!
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Old Oct 1, 2009 | 11:06 PM
  #10  
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From: London, Ont, Canada
Car: 87 T-Top GTA
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: 3.1 starts then dies

punked69, try to start the car with the MAF sensor Disconnected and see what happens.
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Old Oct 2, 2009 | 05:26 AM
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From: LeRoy, NY
Car: 2003 Hyundai Tiburon GT
Engine: 2.7L V6
Transmission: 6-speed
Axle/Gears: 4.41
Re: 3.1 starts then dies

91's don't have a MAF sensor. I'm thinking some sort of vacuum leak. Either that, or, like I said above, the fuel injectors are gummed up and it's running VERY lean (which is BAD for the engine, BTW).

:edit: Now that I read through the other thread in the link above, it is possible that the pickup coil (yes, that is what it's called, and yes, it is a Hall-effect sensor) is going bad. These things are in excess of 15 years old now, and things do wear out. I think I'm going to have to do mine as well.

Reminds me of a saying there is in my missing Automotive Electrical and Electronics Systems textbook, and what a senior GM tech told me about 5 years ago: "No spark, no squirt. If you have no fuel delivery, check to see if you have spark."

Keep in mind that the ignition module is just a go-between for the ECM, the ignition coil, and the pickup coil. If the pickup coil is bad, the ignition module may seem to be bad because the ECM isn't receiving a reference pulse (which is why one of the steps in the "No Spark" flowchart is to check the signal from the PU coil). If the wire between the ignition coil and the dizzy is bad, the module won't receive power.

Next time the engine has this trouble, check to see if you have spark as well. If the PU coil is bad, you have 2 choices: Remove the dizzy and spend a day rebuilding it and replace the coil for $15, or replace the entire thing for $250.

Last edited by Maverick H1L; Oct 2, 2009 at 06:07 AM.
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Old Oct 2, 2009 | 07:53 AM
  #12  
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Re: 3.1 starts then dies

Originally Posted by punked69
The car starts up for about 3-4 sec. then dies the idle is rough for those few sec's. If you spray starter fluid in the intake it will stay running, but take it away and it dies....
Check your TPS voltage, and IAC counts....
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