Could anyone help me with this issue?

I have a '91 Camaro RS with the 3.1 V6. It was missing, so I replaced the spark plugs and the plug wires.

It was still missing after this, so I was trying to test the plug wires one by one, when the car suddenly died. I couldn't get it to restart. I ended up replacing the ignition coil, the rotor and the cap, and finally got it to start, but I have a new problem. Once I get it started it will idle really rough for as long as 30 seconds and then it will die a lot like it did before. If I reset the ECM (by disconnecting the battery for 30 seconds) I can get it to start again, otherwise it won't spark.

One more thing is, when it does run, the Tach jumps around. It will go from under a thousand to above 7,000, with very little change in the actual RPM.

I am assuming that the reason it is running so rough has something to do with what the Tach is doing?

I am kind of at a loss here, and any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Steven

 

First thing is to check for broken, disconected, or brittle vaccum lines. I found that every one of my vaccum lines were brittle and some not conected when I had an idle problem. Also take your ecm down to the parts store to have it checked it may be having a problem.

 

Thank you for the suggestions! I really appreciate the help.

 

Have you tried a new coil.
The tach reads from the negative side of the coil which may explain why the tach is going crazy.

OOOOOOOOPPPPPPSSSSSSS
Iwent back and seen you have replaced the coil.
The problem sounds electrical with the tach screwing up.
check for cracked or chafed wires especially near the coil

 

It May even be a bad Tach grounding out the coil .
rarely happens but possible

 

vacuum leak, especially located at the base of the distributor, driver side.
Besides that, use 5/16" windshiled wiper hose to patch all the broken plastic lines.
ALSO check the underside of ANY vacuum hose.
PS have fun, cause you'll be swearing alot until you find that leak and cure it!
Been there.
After you seem to think you found all leaks, start car, if it sounds better, clear the computer of any codes. Try driving, then.
Happy hunting.

 

I have been havingthe exact same problems and they have been reocuring. The odd pat is the car has been checked and everything seems to be fine. The fuel iinjectors, wires sparks,etc fine. Iliv in Boston so its pretty cold and this never happened to me in the summer. This seems to happen also if i dont drive the car for a day or two. This happened to me today and an hour later it went away i dont know what to do, this problem still has not been found and im out of options. If you guys can help me thanks.

DJ

 

Thanks, everyone, for all of the suggestions! I really appreciate all of the help.

 

Thanks again, everyone, for all of the help.

I have been testing for a spark directly from the ignition coil, and, at present, I not getting a spark.

I wonder if maybe I have a bad connection somewhere, and that is why the tach would jump around, and then the engine would shut down.

One thing that confuses me, though, is that I used to be able to get a spark if I reset the ECM. Maybe that isn't why I was getting a spark? maybe I was jiggling a wire?

Does that sound likely to anyone?

 

dude your from idaho

 

I am, and it seems you are too!

 

should get together some time and take some runs with our cars
WHEN they work

 

I had something similar with my car until I replaced and reset the IAC.

 

Thanks for all of the help, everyone!

I got it working again, good as new, by replacing the distributer. The casing was cracked, which I discovered when I took the pickup coil off.

Thanks again!

Steven