I just picked up the '87 2.8 Camaro for my Jeeps engine swap, (2.8MPFI Jeep Cherokee ) Anyway, it has codes 13, 24, 34, 44, and it wont start. I've found the codes 24, 34, and 44 in the manual, but not the 13. What is a code 13??? Also, what should I look for as a reason why this thing wont start? It has spark, and fuel pressure, but just cranks. I'd like to get this thing to fire before I jump into swaping engines out.

 

Code 13 is (Oxygen sensor signal problem or loss)

That would cause problems.

 

My knowledge of fuel inj. is pretty limited, I'm trying to figure this out as much as I can But what little I *think* I know tells me that none of these codes will cause it not to start. My neighbor and I toyed with it for about 1.5 hours while referencing a GM code reading type book. We think that the TPS might be bad, but not 100% sure. Will a bad TPS cause this 2.8 to not start? There is fuel on the spark plugs, great spark, and has compression...so what gives

 

I think the reason your car isn't starting is fuel related. Did you check the fuel pressure? It may be getting fuel but not enough to keep the car running. I just fixed my 86 project camaro last night. The fuel block was stripped out so whenthe pressure built up it squirted out of the hoses. After changing that she started up and stayed running. Code 44 on a 87 camaro is a "lean fuel mixture detetcted". If the injectors are clogged it would cause this code and also lead to a no start condition (fuel not getting to combustion chamber). This happened on my 85 camaro. New injectors solved that. Does the car start then die immediately or does it just crank and crank and crank? If it doesn't start at all -- check timing. As they say "timing is everything"

 

The engine just cranks, not even a sputter. There is wet fuel on the plugs, and there is spark, and the timing is right (with #1 at TDC, the rotor points to #1 wire). Everything seems to be there for it to start, but all it does is crank.

 

Maybe (and this is a long shot) the plugs are bad. I had an old Dodge Aspen (the "other" F-Body) and I put in a performance distributor. Went to start it and all it did was crank. Changed the plugs and she roared to life:lala:

 

Ding-Ding-Ding...We have a winner! I just got done chaning the plugs and it fired right up. Heres the deal: The engine had new Autolights (autolight, but they don't), and the old AC Delco plugs were in the autolight boxs sitting in the back of the car. I took the old AC's, wire wheeled and put the PROPER gap to them, installed and it fired instantly. The autolights were gapped at .30 instead of the proper .45. The reason for the O2 sensor code was the left exhaust manifold has a huge crack in it. But, overall, the 2.8 sounds pretty strong!

 

Glad to hear it's fixed