when I try to start my engine, sometimes it starts and runs fine for 1 minute and than it stops like I turned the key in the off position.
the other time it seems to start for half a second but it doesn't. Most of the time it does not start till the battery is down. The noise from the fuelpump is there, sparks work, I changed the IAC valve today (90$)no different. I cleaned the TBI from carbon, some WD40 here and there. The EGR has some carbon marks, but that was before too.
The bird is sitting fore one week now, we have 90 degrees and I have to drive my black station wagon with no AC.
any ideas would be great, thanks in advance
Horst
battery is charging right now

------------------
www.marion-becker-nidda.de
91 Firebird 3.1
Mods ynomax ultra flow stainless steel -americanracing rims (ar26) rear 15x8 255/60
front 15x7 235/60
www.members.aol.com/tramphorst/pontiacpics

[This message has been edited by Horst (edited July 09, 2001).]

 

Do you have access to a fuel pressure gauge? Fuel pressure might be too low... a fuel pump can be broken and still run. If the pressure's borderline, you might get the car to run for a bit until the pressure drops (and the car stalls) again.


------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

Hey Tom,
I'll bet I know exactly what it is.
When my Firebird did that, that was the first thing I tested.
And I wasted my time, because it was
"Complete Ignition Failure"
That's when I learend to rebuild distributor.
Used all new stuff and high performanced the rebuild.
Then put on the new 100,000 mile Accel 140008 coil.
Here's the kicker!
I even had spark (pale blue), when I pulled plug wire to test the spark.
After I was done (rebuilding everything electrical), my spark is as bright as a summer evening lightening storm.
Plan on ignition rebuil.
Everything.
And it is in your favor, too!
I'm wrapping up my 1985 S-10 Blazer MPFI head swap. I had to rebuild that distributor. It had 211,500 miles on it.
The job is detailed and cumbersome. But so worth it!
IT's like getting 20 horespower back!!
And gas milage increase to boot!

------------------
Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

Thanks so far TomP and Ked,
I checked the distributer and it looks corroded, on the copper wiring (coil?)there is a brown crust half dollar size, could that be the reason? if yes, than I would like to know more about your rebuilt, Ked.
The fuel pumpnoise sounds a little weak, I think, so I'll check this too.


------------------
www.marion-becker-nidda.de
91 Firebird 3.1
Mods ynomax ultra flow stainless steel -americanracing rims (ar26) rear 15x8 255/60
front 15x7 235/60
www.members.aol.com/tramphorst/pontiacpics

[This message has been edited by Horst (edited July 10, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Horst (edited July 10, 2001).]

 

When ya pull out the distributor, on the gear is a roll pin.
Knock it out.
Pull slide shaft apart.
Look at it, where's it's dirty.
Use sand paper and brake cleaner to clean stuff.
USe sand paper to clean all "contact" parts on top of distributor.
Bend all "contacts" by hand, to make even spaced (close! NOT TOUCHING) and then start reassembly.
Use a FILM of brake axle grease on the reassembly of the shaft into the distb housing.
Sand or file any rough contact spots. Make teh distb spin freely in your hands. Check all contacts by eye & adjust as necessary.
You're in Germany (YA VOL! I'm part german! KARL with a K ), contact Saul Felix at
www.kayauto.com
Tell him Karl with a 1974 Corvette & 1968 Camaro sent ya.
He'll sell ya the parts & send 'em over.
You'll need new external coil
New inner shaft coil
New Ignition Modular.
And new cap and rotor.
New Small Block Chevy Distributor Gasket (Fel PRo- cost is $1.)
Since ya in Germany, this part is easy.
Make a distributor hold down. It's next to impossible to return that bolt back there.
Go get new bolt, longer than one taken out. CHop off the head of new bolt. Dress up threads, go get new bolt (I found a 17 mm bolt worked).
Drop in headless bolt
Drop in distributor
Slip on distb. hold down.
Slip on new bolt. Tighten.
Use RTV Black FILM on both sides of the SBC gasket. Leak free. Done.
I also have used an ACCEL 140008 extral mount coil. Stronger and easier to mount. I threw away my old coil. It was in the way. I also use Accel 8.8 wires, to and the matching Accel Cap & rotor.

THIS IS A REAL SIMPLE JOB. When ya pop distb. apart, you'll definetly see why.
No way to goof up at all.
I'm an idiot & I did it.
First time, too!
Now I'm on second distb., my 2.8 one in my 1985 S-10 Blazer.
Third will be the 1974 Corvette one. Now that is abit more complicted. IT's not modern!
Have you seen my "cousins" Dresing plant & trucks over there?
You close by Dresden?
I think that's where my family must be from.

------------------
Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

[This message has been edited by KED85 (edited July 10, 2001).]

 

thanks Ked for the procedure,I'd send an mail to Kay...com, today I turned the ignition key but did not start the engine, the IAC was working, I think -open- close -open, and so on, the charcole? box was clicking all the time, is this normal? I didn't notice it before.
I live close to Frankfurt distance to Dresden is 300mls

------------------
www.marion-becker-nidda.de
91 Firebird 3.1
Modsynomax ultra flow stainless steel -americanracing rims (ar26) rear 15x8 255/60
front 15x7 235/60
www.members.aol.com/tramphorst/pontiacpics

 

Send the email to Kay & see what they say.
They can try to help ya. I was just there several hours ago.
Good luck!
Watch everything ya do, it is very easy to repair, but, as usual, detailed.
Give a shout!

------------------
Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

this weekend I worked at the distrib. and I found munched wires there a rodent did this job. one new wireset. a new battery because the old one was showing a green eye and 12 volts, but no amps. I changed the fuelfilter by the way.A new stabilizer link too.
Let me have an answer on this IAC and charcole canister, is this noise normal?
I thought I found the cause and fixed it.
I turned my key and it fired right up, but after 5 min. it stalled (code 32)fired up again.I did a 20 mls trip with no problems.
This morning I went for that 1 hour trip TomP talked about.
The bird was very hard to start but finaly did it. After 5 mls it stalls again but I could start it and drove it for about 40 mls without any negative symptoms, than stalls again, starts again rpms stuck on 3000, bachfires, drops down, I floor the pedal engine comes up to 5000rpm , this game happened for 10 minutes, than like nothing the engine ran fine again and I went 20 mls back home
You like to give me a kick to the fuelpump?
or a vacuum leak?
To KED85: no answer from Kay.com yet
thanks to all


------------------
www.marion-becker-nidda.de
91 Firebird 3.1
Modsynomax ultra flow stainless steel -americanracing rims (ar26) rear 15x8 255/60
front 15x7 235/60
www.members.aol.com/tramphorst/pontiacpics

 

I mentioned this to Saul, also.
I sent him an email and I got no response, also.
I'll phone him about this, he's loosing business!!

I tried to see if they were able to get remanufactured 3.4 engines.
Not yet.
But they do have 350 2 & 4 bolt mains!
No 400's-DRAT!

I think you have a cracked vacuum hose or a worn hose that is collasping or a broken hose, especially at the back of the engine, to the driver side of the distB.
Start checking.
I used 5/16" windshiled wiper rubber hose to fix many of these leaks, It took me a better part of the day to do this. That back hose by the distB. is a slight bit under 1/2" hose.

I understand that there is a AC Delco rep in Finland. I mentioned your story to the guys at Kay auto, they said that may be the closest one to ya.
Ya got it started, that was a good step forward.
Next time leave peanut butter under the hood for them.
I'll bet the mice would love Reese Pieces candies!


------------------
Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

I found a melted hose leading from the top of the TBI to the charcoal canister, the valve on top of the canister was very hot, I could touch it only for two seconds, is this normal?
what else will I find?
thanks again KED and TomP all others too, of course

------------------
www.marion-becker-nidda.de
91 Firebird 3.1
Modsynomax ultra flow stainless steel -americanracing rims (ar26) rear 15x8 255/60
front 15x7 235/60
www.members.aol.com/tramphorst/pontiacpics

 

No, it's not.
I had that happen. Like it was smoking!
Why.....
I do not recall.
I can only say, that action is a by product of a problem.
The problem caused that to happen.
Incidentially, no, that part is no longer available.
I checked once, when I saw that happening (that relay smoking).
I only wish I could recall why or what problem I was having to have that happen. I just do not recall if that happened before or after I went and changed engines.
I really think before.
I'm sorry to let ya down this time!


------------------
Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

back on the road again
after changing IAC, fuelfilter, coolant sensor, digital EGR, ignition modular, a set of new spark plugs, no performance
I finaly kicked out the ECM (no codes throwing), put in a new one and: bingo
again
thanks anyway, TomP and Ked


------------------
www.marion-becker-nidda.de
91 Firebird 3.1
Modsynomax ultra flow stainless steel -americanracing rims (ar26) rear 15x8 255/60
front 15x7 235/60
www.members.aol.com/tramphorst/pontiacpics

 

It was the computer? Wow, I never would've guessed that... good catch. I'll have to feel the valve on top of my carbon canister after driving home today to see if it gets hot...


------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l)

 

The valve won't I'll bet. It seems to only when it has to work overtime.
Mine smoked that one time I had a big ignition problem.
It's never been a bother, since that time.
One thing I've discovered about FI and parts.
IF THE PART (you think is busted) IS EXPENSIVE, keep checking the cheaper parts, first. Many times, that's where the problem will be.
Good to hear you're back on the road. How's the Autobahn, these days. Crowded?

------------------
Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

i noticed that you said you were getting an error code 32. I was going to tell you to check the ECM, but you beat me to it. Error 32 is for the EGR valve, but it can also be the ECM. I found this little tidbit of information in only one place, The Haynes manule. They list EGR electrical conections, EGR valve, and the last one was ECM.

I did some research into it and it appears that when the ECM is faulty it will not controll the EGR valve corectly. Either not open it up or only part way. Also this problem can come and go (trace crack in the ECM). So don't all ways go for the expensive EGR valve.

 

Cool, thanks for the info, Btchin!

------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l)

 

injectors did not work right caused by the ECM. the autobahn is overcrowded in the frankfurt area, not in my region, I can test the speed limiter all day long I guess you know we usually don't have a speedlimit on the highway (autobahn)
thanks, bitchin, why didn't you? but the EGR was blown anyway.
I learned a lot this time
thanks again

------------------
www.marion-becker-nidda.de
91 Firebird 3.1
Modsynomax ultra flow stainless steel -americanracing rims (ar26) rear 15x8 255/60
front 15x7 235/60
www.members.aol.com/tramphorst/pontiacpics

 

I've heard that response about the AutoBahn being very crowed thee days. Even having a speed limit at many sections, now, too.
I've even heard talk of making A-Bahn speed limit to control air polution over there (which is becoming aproblem).
BUT..... still a way cool way to test the speed limiter!!
That AutoBahn was built during WW2, right? OR was it recreated after the war?

------------------
Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

your right Karl,the first autobahn was built before WW2 from north to south like route 66, now we have them across the hole country, the main autobahn is very crowded and in the dangerous sections there is a speedlimit, but normally no speedlimit, you can watch the Ferraris and the Porsches racing with 180 mls and more. Here is mostly no pollution, all cars have to have 3 way catalytic converters, beside the oldtimer cars. What you mean is the speedlimit when high oxygen is in the air that happens during a longer period of hot weather, could end in no driving at all. Would not happen to you, you have Bush, he does not care health and nature
btw. when I turn on my radio I hear a click in the ECM area, never noticed it before,my antenna motor is dead, someone killed it by breaking my antenna.


------------------
www.marion-becker-nidda.de
91 Firebird 3.1
Modsynomax ultra flow stainless steel -americanracing rims (ar26) rear 15x8 255/60
front 15x7 235/60
www.members.aol.com/tramphorst/pontiacpics