Iroc88z28

Hellos to all forum members..

First the problem, on the way home the other day, car lost power when I floored it to, lost power in general, but noticed it at first when I floored it. And I was only able to get home by limping it home, where I tried to floor it again, lost power only this time it died when I got off the throtle. and it wouldn't start there after. So... I had the alternator tested, it was dead, it wouldn't charge at all. and now I can't get it to start for my life....

heres what I got/ and have done so far...

1988 IROC Z-28, L98.... only mod other than being bone stock, MSD 6A, hooked up as per MSDs website...

Ok... so now I have check for spark, have spark on #1 (assuming spark on others), have not checked for fuel I don't have a fuel pressuer guage, have tried to check coil, for ohms (didn't know if I was doing it right but I did get some numbers that would go with what the hayens manual was saying) assumed coil was good, battery is charged 13+ volts. had the distributor apart to at cap and rotor(Seemed fine), even checked ignition controler for burns.

The car will turn over, but won't catch to run. I didn't notice fuel but wasn't smelling for it either.

Couple questions... would there be spark if any or a combination of the coil, ignition controler, distributor, ESC, or ECM... were bad... I do have spark, but could that be just from the MSD? Could it be that the ECM isn't firing the injectors. I realize I could have a cloged fuel filter, fuel pump could be bad, or cloged injectors...I could have screwed my timing up when I was playin with the dist, cause I unhooked all the wire(sparkplug and anothers), but it wouldn't fire before I did this, so I am assuming it isn't that the timing isn't to blame at this point. but I know it does need to be reset. JUST CAN'T GET IT TO EVEN MAKE THE ATTEMPT TO START....

Tomorrow I plain on having the auto parts store test the coil (if they can), and hopefully if they can test the ignition controller.

I was reading another post and it says to set the timing a certain way if you have the MSD hooked up, tomorrow I will try that as well, but I was wondering if there was someone out there that has had this problem and could help...

Please and Thanks
adam

Vader

Iroc88,

Welcome Aboard!

Since you have already tested and determined that there is spark for at least the #1 cylinder, I would concentrate on the fuel delivery system at this point. Your symptoms indicate a lack of adequate fuel, especially the stalling at WOT and overall lack of power. Obviously, you had spark or wouldn't have been able to "limp home".

Start by confirming that the fuel pump is running. It should operate for a two-second prime cycle when the ignition is first turned ON. To repeat the cycle, turn off the ignition for at least 20 seconds, then turn it on again. Listen carefully toward the rear of the car, since the pump is located in the fuel tank.

Just to verify, you do have at least 1/8 load of fuel, right?

If you have no pump operation, you need to check the power source, relay and wiring (in that order). If the pump does operate, you need to test fuel pressure. This will require connecting a pressure gauge to the Schrader test fitting on the rear of the right fuel rail:



The system should pressurize to 44 PSIG, ± 3 PSIG with the key on, engine off. If so, you need to check the injection syste. If not, check the fuel filter, pressure regulator, and pump (in that order).

If you're fortunate, you might only have a plugged fuel filter. Changed it lately?

Iroc88z28

Thanks Vader...:hail:

Ok... I guess I will buy the pressure guage so I could test the pressure, while at it, just get a new fuel filter.

But would I have spark if any of the coil, ignition controler, distributor, ESC, or ECM was bad?

Just double checking, cause I do have spark? I was thinking fuel to, either injectors not firing or the fuel filter, maybe my guage could have broke and its saying I do have fuel when I don't, either way I know I filled it up a couple days before and didn't drive it nowhere near enough to use it up. I do hear the pump turn on when I attempt to start the car.

Another thing I am gonna try and reset the timing altogether, how would I go about setting the distributor back to zero. How do I find TDC (quick and easy). I have the dist out, just want to make sure I have the engine at TDC to be sure.

Please and thanks
adam