I have an 88 Firebird with 2.8L. I had just left work and was waiting in traffic and I just shut-off. Almost like I turned off the switch.
Anyway after I got it home, I have checked the following:

1. Still has fire and timing seems ok.
2. Fuel pressure approx 40 #.
3. Fuel flow per Haynes manual.
4. Confirmed power to injectors is ok.
5. No SES codes.

Only thing I can figure is the ECM isn't firing the injectors. What is the best way to test injector firing since the ECM apparently grounds to fire?
What next? New ECM?

 

It could be your idle is set to low or the throttle position sensor needs some adjusting.Is this the first time it has happened?
I had that problem for awhile after I replaced my TPS.
I raised my idle some to fix it.One of my friends grandpa has a small garage near by and he's got a portable computer scanner.We checked everything out and my TPS was set to low.I fixed that then I had to readjust the idle.
This is just a shot in the dark man.It could be a number of things.I though I could give you a place to start searching.
BTW,welcome aboard!

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http://www.camaroforum.com/
http://v6fbody.com/
http://nethirdgen.org/

[This message has been edited by Kevin S (edited October 13, 2000).]

 

exact same thing has happened to me a couple times. It idles fine, then just dies. Starts up fine again. Don't know what it is yet, but car's going in to get checked up this Tuesday, so I'll hopefully have an answer by then...best of luck

 

Thanks for the replies. This is the first serious trouble I have had with the car since it was new.
Can someone point me to a "how to" that covers adjusting the TPS?

 

They've got a fairly accurate article of it in the tech section.

-Reno

 

You guys are great but the TPS is now adjusted to within the range specified in the Tech Section. Still won't start.

What should I try next?

 

i think it was in this months hotrod or maybe lasts im not sure but they have an article on adjusting the TPS

 

What do you mean when you say it won't start? Will it turn over, or not?
Vman

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1989 Camaro RS
2.8 V6
K&N's
700R4 tranny
Cragar Street Pro rims (old Series 30)
Pioneer DEH-P3000

1969 Camaro SC
350 HO from a Vette
Turbo 350 tranny
In the process of being restored

 

Rick, if you look down for a post titled "I posted this in General Engine...", Kevin has some info on how he checked out his injectors to see if the ECM was firing them.

There's also the possibility of a bad mass air flow sensor. The test for that's simple- unplug the wire to MAF, and try starting the car.

I wish I knew of a sure-fire way to check timing when the engine won't run... I assume you could bump the starter to get the balancer mark to line up with the "10 BTC" mark, and remove the distributor cap to see if the rotor is pointing at the #1 plug. I think that would do it, right? Or no?

Maybe the distributor's ignition module is at fault. Usually a bad one won't work when the car gets hot (motor dies), but works fine again when the car's cold. Could be that the spark you're getting isn't strong enough to ignite the fuel/air mix? Or maybe the pulse from the pick-up coil isn't strong enough? You could also try "wiggling" the wires coming out of the back of the distributor, and try starting it again. Try wiggling the wires to the spark coil, too.

No-starts are the worse, eh?


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards

 

RickM,I totally misread your post...opps!

If you find it to be ignition trouble,I have a module for a 89 2.8.If you find you need it let me know...it's yours.
I replaced it with one from Accel in Nov.

Like Tom said in my post "I posted this in General Engine...",I tested the injectors for power with a test light.If you can't get it to start then try this......
......two wires plug to the injectors,one is a 12v source while the other is a ground controlled by the ECU(or ECM).Use the test light by holding the test light connectors to the two connections(one connector to positive and the second to the neg)inside the plug.While you hold the test light connectors to the connections inside the plug have someone crank the engine.If the light flash's you have juice if not...well....I havn't a clue

I hope this will help you to figure out whats going on.
Let me know if you need that module.It's just collecting dust right now.
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http://www.camaroforum.com/
http://v6fbody.com/
http://nethirdgen.org/
http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/tristatecamaro

[This message has been edited by Kevin S (edited October 16, 2000).]