Need TPI help!!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville FL
Need TPI help!!!
Ok, I got everything installed, everything wired up (I think). I put a new coil, dist cap, and rotor in. I got fuel flowing, spark from the coil but it is not turning over. Any thoughts?
Thanks
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
You gotta get spark to the plugs of course. Also can check to see if the injectors are pulsing (with a Noid light). Also make sure your distributor is not pointing 180 degrees out. That happens to the best of us....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 16
From: absecon nj
Your right mark hes checking that now,and the next thing is the injectors pulsing,his spark might just be weak and not seeing it as well but injectors not pulsing.OR if its got enough fuel pressure too.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville FL
Well from what I can tell, its got good fuel pressure, the injectors have power, I got spark going from the coil to the distributor, but it doesnt look like I have any spark coming out of the distributor cap.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Originally Posted by Fireslayer26
Well from what I can tell, its got good fuel pressure, the injectors have power, I got spark going from the coil to the distributor, but it doesnt look like I have any spark coming out of the distributor cap.
How are you checking to see if the injectors are pulsing? Noid light? Analog volt/ohmmeter? Special tool? Check at least 1 lead on each side of the engine. TPI is batch fire.
If you do have spark to the cap, but not out there is not too much to go wrong. Check several different wires and different plugs. Be sure it isn't 1 bad wire or 1 bad plug. Replace cap, rotor, wire, or plug as required.
Be sure that the rotor is pointing to #1 at TDC and not 180 out. I've had several newly installed engines not start due to this. I used to be very paranoid about distributor removal (dropped an oil pump shaft in an FE Ford-must use retainer ring on a Ford). Not an issue on a Chevy. Do not be afraid to remove a distributor.
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Advanced
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: portland TN
I think this is a fairly simple problem to solve. It sounds like the spark module in the distributor has gone bad. This is the piece that times the dwell, electronic version of the points, its probably just burnt out. There should be three wires to hook up. One to + side of coil one to - side of coil and one to 12V.
Another thing you need to be aware of, is some corvettes that were orignially points used a resistor wire to the coil. These need to be cut back and replaced with a non resistor wire to get full 12volts to the ignition. This may keep the later model distributor you have from distributing spark because there is not enought voltage to work the module.
Another thing you need to be aware of, is some corvettes that were orignially points used a resistor wire to the coil. These need to be cut back and replaced with a non resistor wire to get full 12volts to the ignition. This may keep the later model distributor you have from distributing spark because there is not enought voltage to work the module.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,435
Likes: 0
From: largo florida
try replacing the rotor with another one. My cousin had this same problem last summer on his 350 vortech. Had a complete tuneup, cap, rotor, plugs, wires, etc. Drove 1k miles down to the family reunion after the tuneup, then all of a sudden the truck instantly stalled. No warning or anything. Traced the spark to the coil, but not coming out of distributor. Bought another rotor and all was good.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Originally Posted by After Shark
I think this is a fairly simple problem to solve. It sounds like the spark module in the distributor has gone bad. This is the piece that times the dwell, electronic version of the points, its probably just burnt out. There should be three wires to hook up. One to + side of coil one to - side of coil and one to 12V.
Another thing you need to be aware of, is some corvettes that were orignially points used a resistor wire to the coil. These need to be cut back and replaced with a non resistor wire to get full 12volts to the ignition. This may keep the later model distributor you have from distributing spark because there is not enought voltage to work the module.
Another thing you need to be aware of, is some corvettes that were orignially points used a resistor wire to the coil. These need to be cut back and replaced with a non resistor wire to get full 12volts to the ignition. This may keep the later model distributor you have from distributing spark because there is not enought voltage to work the module.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 16
From: absecon nj
He has spark now module was bad,but we think the injectors arent firing,he can spray carb. cleaner down throttle body and it fires up.HEs gone to check the pick up coil next.I wonder if his setup has vats or not,if it does theres the problem.But if i rmeber right he said it was a 87 firebird setup which doesnt use vats yet.
Last edited by patsnitrovette; Jun 3, 2005 at 08:26 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Need check he has 5 volts on high side of all the sending unit.s make that TPS and MAP.....if not, you know there is 3 imputs to a stock type computer for 12 volts, one for each injector bank, and another for the internal 5 volt regulator, without that 3rd input having 12 volts, that's what you have....
I just listen to injector firing with a stethescope, hear all even sounding clicks.....tells me they are normal...don't forget they are supposed to 'float' on the rubber gaskets/o rings and turn relatively freely so there is not real mechanical connection between the injectors and engine/intake/fuel rail......
May want to be damn sure the middle finger 'clip' from the coil frame to ground picked up by wiring was not forgotten in the new coil install, that will also mess things up really badly...in fact the engine may run like that because the spart ALSO jumps from that coil frame, which is seeking a ground return, to the coil or Bat side.....don't ask just exactly HOW I know this...OK??
GENE
I just listen to injector firing with a stethescope, hear all even sounding clicks.....tells me they are normal...don't forget they are supposed to 'float' on the rubber gaskets/o rings and turn relatively freely so there is not real mechanical connection between the injectors and engine/intake/fuel rail......
May want to be damn sure the middle finger 'clip' from the coil frame to ground picked up by wiring was not forgotten in the new coil install, that will also mess things up really badly...in fact the engine may run like that because the spart ALSO jumps from that coil frame, which is seeking a ground return, to the coil or Bat side.....don't ask just exactly HOW I know this...OK??
GENE
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Originally Posted by patsnitrovette
He has spark now module was bad,but we think the injectors arent firing,he can spray carb. cleaner down throttle body and it fires up.HEs gone to check the pick up coil next.I wonder if his setup has vats or not,if it does theres the problem.But if i rmeber right he said it was a 87 firebird setup which doesnt use vats yet.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 16
From: absecon nj
Mark he pulled the dist. and found the magnetic pickup plate cracked so hes trying to find one now,he checked to see if he had vats and the wire is not there in the ecm,it was a 88 trans am setup so hes not sure if it has or not,id say not.Well its no vats,i m gone to help him tonight and call him and check each wire and make sure everythings doing what its supposed to do.
Last edited by patsnitrovette; Jun 3, 2005 at 03:51 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,741
Likes: 1,383
according to this here site....
1986 and newer (inclusive) have some sort of VATS....
http://chevythunder.com/fuel%20injec....%20pg%20A.htm
http://chevythunder.com/fuel%20injec....%20pg%20A.htm
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 16
From: absecon nj
Were(lol) hes pretty close now,traced all the wires out and found a few with no power,hes working on timing issue now,its trying to start now,Hell get it running by tomorrow no doubt.The prom was no vats .