V6 Discussion and questions about the base carbureted or MPFI V6's and the rare SFI Turbo V6.

Starting problems

Old Oct 24, 2010 | 12:20 AM
  #1  
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From: Cicero, Illinois
Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 2.8L V6
Starting problems

...Well its not exactly a starting problem. and i know theres tons of threads like this but i havent found an answer
Its a 89 2.8l and it starts up fine, but then the idle drops and then dies, and in order for me to keep it running i have to keep the idle high for a little while (about 1 min or so) and it'll stay running.
If you guys could help me out, once again

and recently me and my dad just changed the front brakes and rotors, the oil, and spark plugs. and the gap is at 45.
any ideas guys?
Thanks!
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Old Oct 24, 2010 | 12:49 PM
  #2  
92 CaMaRo Rs's Avatar
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Re: Starting problems

My friends 87 2.8 camaro was jus doing this, we put a idle air control valve located on the mpfi. It started right up and idled fine after replaced his. Take it out if its black and all nasty, its prolly your problem. Hope that helped a little.
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Old Oct 24, 2010 | 02:21 PM
  #3  
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From: Cicero, Illinois
Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 2.8L V6
Re: Starting problems

I'll give it a look later on today. thanks for the help.
just an hour ago me and my dad started it up, and it was revving at 1500 rpms in park, while it was warm. my dad touched the tps a little and it went down to 800 rpms, 700-650 in drive. and it didnt die.
the tps was replaced last fall from a shop, and i think my dad had messed with it afterwards.
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Old Dec 8, 2010 | 07:24 PM
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From: Cicero, Illinois
Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 2.8L V6
Re: Starting problems

Update:
I took the car to a local shop, and they told me i need a new ECM, so i'm going to replace it tomorrow. Hopefully it fixes my problems.
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Old Dec 9, 2010 | 11:42 AM
  #5  
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From: Cicero, Illinois
Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 2.8L V6
Re: Starting problems

ECM put in, and car still dying out. it'll start back up right away but it will die out.
anyone know of any other problems that could be causing my car to do this?
help!
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Old Dec 9, 2010 | 01:45 PM
  #6  
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Car: 2003 Hyundai Tiburon GT
Engine: 2.7L V6
Transmission: 6-speed
Axle/Gears: 4.41
Re: Starting problems

The problem you are having is common with the failure of the mass airflow sensor... I've replaced mine 3 times due to this.
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Old Dec 9, 2010 | 02:12 PM
  #7  
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Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 2.8L V6
Re: Starting problems

oh ok. i was starting to think it was the tps again.
thx for helping me out
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Old Dec 9, 2010 | 06:22 PM
  #8  
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From: LeRoy, NY
Car: 2003 Hyundai Tiburon GT
Engine: 2.7L V6
Transmission: 6-speed
Axle/Gears: 4.41
Re: Starting problems

Almost forgot... If you have the adjustable TPS, make sure that the voltage signal between the blue and black wires is .55VDC with the throttle plate fully closed and the engine not running. A TPS output higher than .65VDC means that the ECM will think the throttle plate is partially open and flood out the engine (if severe enough) or throw a code 35 (uncontrollable idle speed).
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Old Dec 9, 2010 | 06:37 PM
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Car: 91' bird(WS6>>305TBI), 82'Regal
Re: Starting problems

Originally Posted by xxKing Cottonxx
ECM put in, and car still dying out. it'll start back up right away but it will die out.
anyone know of any other problems that could be causing my car to do this?
help!
Fuel pump relay maybe.....

Last edited by bitchin_buick; Dec 9, 2010 at 06:42 PM.
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Old Dec 9, 2010 | 06:44 PM
  #10  
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From: Toledo, Ohio
Car: 91' bird(WS6>>305TBI), 82'Regal
Re: Starting problems

For future reference autozone should have been able to test your old ECM and let you know if it was bad. They tested my ole' ladies and hers was about 120 bucks. But hers was bad............
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Old Dec 10, 2010 | 05:39 AM
  #11  
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From: Cicero, Illinois
Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 2.8L V6
Re: Starting problems

i didnt know that buick. thanks guys
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Old Dec 10, 2010 | 12:32 PM
  #12  
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Car: 1992 Firebird
Engine: LH0 V6 3.1 MPFI
Transmission: Automatic
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: Starting problems

Rather than starting a new thread, I'll post my problem here. My car will not start and I already made sure that it was not the battery. When I turn the key it does not even crank, but the dash lights and all of that stuff come on. I'm assuming that it is the starter, but I want to make sure before I go out and buy any parts. Is there anything else that it could be? An acquaintance of mine thinks it might be a fuse, but I'm certain I replaced all of those.
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Old Dec 10, 2010 | 05:31 PM
  #13  
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From: Cicero, Illinois
Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 2.8L V6
Re: Starting problems

UPDATE: Car was checked out again by a local shop, Guys said it was the ecm. it was a bad one. so monday i will be getting a replacement one again and putting it in.

WhitePhoenix: My car had the same problem, and it was the starter. hope that helps
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Old Dec 10, 2010 | 05:44 PM
  #14  
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From: Toledo, Ohio
Car: 91' bird(WS6>>305TBI), 82'Regal
Re: Starting problems

Originally Posted by xxKing Cottonxx
Update:
I took the car to a local shop, and they told me i need a new ECM, so i'm going to replace it tomorrow. Hopefully it fixes my problems.
Originally Posted by xxKing Cottonxx
ECM put in, and car still dying out. it'll start back up right away but it will die out.
anyone know of any other problems that could be causing my car to do this?
help!
Originally Posted by xxKing Cottonxx
UPDATE: Car was checked out again by a local shop, Guys said it was the ecm. it was a bad one. so monday i will be getting a replacement one again and putting it in.
Who sold you the bad ECM? Who put it in? Just don't want to see you get screwed around by a shop giving you the 'run a round'. Or maybe I'm misunderstanding..........
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Old Dec 10, 2010 | 06:05 PM
  #15  
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From: Cicero, Illinois
Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 2.8L V6
Re: Starting problems

The ecm was purchased at a bumper to bumper store near my house, could it be refurbished and be bad?
and my father helped me put it in.

thx for lookin out
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Old Dec 11, 2010 | 02:50 PM
  #16  
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Car: 88 Camaro
Engine: 2.8v6
Transmission: 700 R4
Re: Starting problems

WhitePhoenix there is a fused link to the starter down along the frame rail, possible that could be your problem.
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Old Dec 13, 2010 | 01:45 AM
  #17  
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From: Cicero, Illinois
Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 2.8L V6
Re: Starting problems

Another question guys,
might sound dumb, but whats the correct way to idle learn a 2.8 89 firebird?

oh and im exchanging the faulty ecm and getting a different one in return, lets hope it works
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Old Dec 13, 2010 | 01:17 PM
  #18  
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Car: 2003 Hyundai Tiburon GT
Engine: 2.7L V6
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Axle/Gears: 4.41
Re: Starting problems

Originally Posted by xxKing Cottonxx
Another question guys,
might sound dumb, but whats the correct way to idle learn a 2.8 89 firebird?

oh and im exchanging the faulty ecm and getting a different one in return, lets hope it works
Anything before '90? You don't. Unless it's a FWD with either the 730 or the 727 ECM.
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Old Dec 13, 2010 | 02:55 PM
  #19  
xxKing Cottonxx's Avatar
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From: Cicero, Illinois
Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 2.8L V6
Re: Starting problems

oh ok thanks maverick
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Old Dec 14, 2010 | 12:40 PM
  #20  
xxKing Cottonxx's Avatar
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From: Cicero, Illinois
Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 2.8L V6
Re: Starting problems

Well it's the chip (prom?) now I need another one. Anyone know where to get one for a decent price? Either stock or power chip? Help again lol. Thx
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Old Dec 14, 2010 | 07:25 PM
  #21  
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Re: Starting problems

What's the 4-letter code on the top of the chip, on the silver sticker?
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Old Dec 14, 2010 | 09:39 PM
  #22  
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From: Cicero, Illinois
Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 2.8L V6
Re: Starting problems

chip says:
DELCO
AMBD
7053
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Old Dec 14, 2010 | 09:41 PM
  #23  
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Re: Starting problems

I have to look at mine, but I MAY have one...
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Old Dec 14, 2010 | 11:27 PM
  #24  
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Re: Starting problems

ok, thanks, if u do pm me plz
thx again
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Old Dec 16, 2010 | 12:55 AM
  #25  
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From: Cicero, Illinois
Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 2.8L V6
Re: Starting problems

One last question (maybe) lol
What are some signs that your ecm, or chip(prom) has gone bad? jus curious
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Old Dec 16, 2010 | 10:55 AM
  #26  
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Car: 86-FireBird
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Re: Starting problems

If the prom and memcal chips are bad, the SES light will flash constantly like a strobe light.

ebay is the only place I found for used chips, but just note you might end up with bad ones, and do not even complain to the seller or leave anything bad, as there is only 1 guy who sells used chips and you will end up buying from him again.

I did twice, 1 set bad, 1 good.
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Old Dec 16, 2010 | 01:25 PM
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Transmission: 6-speed
Axle/Gears: 4.41
Re: Starting problems

Originally Posted by Gumby
If the prom and memcal chips are bad, the SES light will flash constantly like a strobe light.

ebay is the only place I found for used chips, but just note you might end up with bad ones, and do not even complain to the seller or leave anything bad, as there is only 1 guy who sells used chips and you will end up buying from him again.

I did twice, 1 set bad, 1 good.
The SES may not necessarily flash like that with a bad PROM or MEMCAL. One of my chips put into one of my ECMs, both of which were good, would set the SES off like that, but if the PROM were put into its original ECM and plugged in, everything would be fine. Also, there are a couple codes that the ECM may post if there is something wrong with the combination.

The eBay seller's name is ragged... He has all sorts of chips for just about everything that has a removable chip. He screwed me out of an HNL, so I avoid him like the plague. I ended up getting my HNL in a whole ECM.
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Old Jan 26, 2011 | 10:05 PM
  #28  
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From: Vernon b.C
Car: Camaro
Engine: MPFI 2.8L V6
Re: Starting problems

Originally Posted by Maverick H1L
The SES may not necessarily flash like that with a bad PROM or MEMCAL. One of my chips put into one of my ECMs, both of which were good, would set the SES off like that, but if the PROM were put into its original ECM and plugged in, everything would be fine. Also, there are a couple codes that the ECM may post if there is something wrong with the combination.

The eBay seller's name is ragged... He has all sorts of chips for just about everything that has a removable chip. He screwed me out of an HNL, so I avoid him like the plague. I ended up getting my HNL in a whole ECM.
my car (1986 camaro 2.8L MPFI) wont start period...i think it might be my ecm, but i was reading here and saw this "prom" chip? what codes might you get if the chip is bad? i get code 42.
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Old Jan 26, 2011 | 10:10 PM
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Axle/Gears: 4.41
Re: Starting problems

Code 42 is a spark control problem (generally pops up when you disconnect the set timing connector by the blower fan). Has nothing to do with the PROM, generally. The codes that can be set by a problem with the ECM/PROM/CALPAK combination are 51, 52, and 55.
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Old Jan 27, 2011 | 01:07 AM
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From: Vernon b.C
Car: Camaro
Engine: MPFI 2.8L V6
Re: Starting problems

Originally Posted by Maverick H1L
Code 42 is a spark control problem (generally pops up when you disconnect the set timing connector by the blower fan). Has nothing to do with the PROM, generally. The codes that can be set by a problem with the ECM/PROM/CALPAK combination are 51, 52, and 55.
how do i check mt electronic spark control? i pulled my igniton module, im getting it tested tomorow.
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Old Jan 27, 2011 | 11:30 PM
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From: Vernon b.C
Car: Camaro
Engine: MPFI 2.8L V6
Re: Starting problems

so i put in a rebuilt starter, new cap+rotor and a used (from Wreckers) Ignition module. it still wont start....any ideas people? i am soo lost
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