Ok. I really need another set of eyes so to speak. I recently got my 91 and the first problem was that the previous owner put a differant chip in it that was cut for some reason, now bear with me here, the chip had a 32 pin wire comming out of it (literly) that went no where. Upon further inspection the 32 pin wire was sodered in were the chip use to be not a professional job either melted plastic, and very poor sodering job. Anyways I found a compatiable chip off a 92 cavilier and the car ran pretty good and the only codes it was giving me was the speed sensor code which is why my spedo doesnt work. anyways the next day I started the car and it was running at a 1100 rpm idle that didnt kick down. by the time I got off work and started the car I drove it for less than a mile and the car died. It acts as if its not getting spark, I replaced the plug wires upon inspection finding #1 burnt in half. Still the car does not start, so I thought fuel. the fuel pressure valve spits fuel as it needs to.
So this is where I am. I have compleatly gone through the entire wiring looking for shorts and bad connections.
The car turns over so vats isnt the issue. it just wont start. when it does it idles really roughly and dies.
Does anyone have any ideas?
I would appricate that second set of eyes.

 

Several things wrong here.
1. Cavalier MEMCAL doesn't work. It has the wrong spark calibration.
2. Probably fried the ignition control module inside the distributor. Without this, your ECM won't allow your engine to run. Without the reference pulses from the ICM, the ECM will not fire either the ignition coil OR the fuel injectors, since it doesn't know the engine is turning over.

 

You beat me to it Mav. I was just going to say that. When I picked up my 86 Firebird, it had an exhaust leak at the passenger manifold due to a broken bolt. This allowed the exhaust gasses to burn holes in 2 of the plug wires. This caused the wires to start arcing to the block. Well the HEI modules dont like that sort of thing. It ended up popping the module. Also for your car being a 91, you might want to check the boneyards for a Firebird memcal or have one programmed for your car. That cavi one wont run the car well if at all. If you have speed density, you most likely have a 7730 ECM.

 

I have been looking at bone yards in my area for the Memcal for a firebird and no one has one. they gave me one from the number off the ECM.

I did manage to get it running. Turns out my fuel gauge does not read accurate and I have very little fuel in the tank causing air to get into the lines. No fuel pressure. go figure.

I am unable to currently afford to have a chip programed for my car. the service engine light does not stay on it goes of then comes back on. I have to replace the speed sensor for sure from the codes it gave me.

Thank you for your imput.

Marcus

 

Well as for the programming, i paid $40 for the programmer and $2 a piece for the PROM chips and read up on how to program a prom here. Just do a search for programming. You can generally get a stock bin file from moates.net. Everything you need to know is right here in the forum. Check MCUmall.com for the programmer and the chips are the SST27F512 70 nanosecond ones.

 

I have a MEMCAL I could sell you, if your car is automatic. I just need the $50 to cover the cost of the replacement (auto chip has different calibration than the manual one I need).

 

that may just work on my end. Maybe the timming will set right. I set it like the Chilton book says and when the chip kicks in it rotates it clockwise about 20 degrees or so. I think it retards it I cant remember the term at the moment its been a long day.

So How would you propose we make the transaction I do really need a chip for my 3.1 automatic to make it run right.

Marcus

 

The MEMCAL you're currently running retards the timing 60* to about 40-50 ATDC. This is because it's meant for coil packs, not our distributors.

You can either send me a postal money order or PayPal, whichever you prefer. I paid for the T5 MEMCAL last night, and I can't use either one until I get the harness I paid for a week ago.

 

ok. what I am concerned about is being burned, Ive been doing a lot of thinking about it.
I do want my car to work properly but I dont want to get taken for in the process like I did for the Memcal's I have already purchaced from boneyards. I am in over 50 already for stuff that doesnt work.

I can do paypal.

I am not sure how to go about doing paypal without ebay though, I have not done a transaction like this before. Email me with your information please and i will try to figure it out.

marcus_johnston@yahoo.com

I appriciate it and please dont be offended with my uneasyness.

Marcus

 

hey I found a bird at a towing company today. the rear end from what I can see looks like a 91. I am waiting for them to call me back for information on the car. it looks like its been sitting for a while. good parts car. maybe it has the same motor, trany and chip mine does.

 

The chip "burning" process is merely the writing of the bin to the chip, almost the same thing as burning a CD, but without anything physically happening to the chip.

For PayPal, just log into PayPal.

 

hey, I located a 92 with a v6 automatic. I got the chip and a few other things from it. The chip seems to be working in my car, the ecm numbers were the same as my ecm numbers. My speedometer even works now. Thank you for the information on the other chips. Now I just need to replace the radiator, oil pan and the rest seems to be all easy cosmetic stuff.