TBI 350 Won't start
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 181
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From: Boise ID
TBI 350 Won't start
Hey guys I haven't been around in a while which might be a good thing. My sons 89 Chevy 1500 2 wheel drive 350 TBI started dying on him after he would drive it for 2 blocks. He would warm it up for 5 - 10 minutes with no problem but when he would drive it for 2 blocks it would die and not re start. We replaced the fuel pump and I am getting fuel at the throttle body but I don't get any fuel out of the injectors when he cranks it. I checked for fuel at the injectors by putting my finger under the injector while he cranks it and I don't get any fuel on my finger. I know this is not a Vette related question but I am stumped and I know I can count on you guys for help.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 6
From: NW MN
Hey guys I haven't been around in a while which might be a good thing. My sons 89 Chevy 1500 2 wheel drive 350 TBI started dying on him after he would drive it for 2 blocks. He would warm it up for 5 - 10 minutes with no problem but when he would drive it for 2 blocks it would die and not re start. We replaced the fuel pump and I am getting fuel at the throttle body but I don't get any fuel out of the injectors when he cranks it. I checked for fuel at the injectors by putting my finger under the injector while he cranks it and I don't get any fuel on my finger. I know this is not a Vette related question but I am stumped and I know I can count on you guys for help.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: Boise ID
When I pour gas into the TB it will start and run as long as I keep pouring fuel in to it That's what made me think it was the fuel pump. Does this help point the finger at the ignition module ?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 181
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From: Boise ID
Ok I pulled the ignition module out and had it tested at schucks and autozone and it tested good at both places. I did notice that it didn't have any dialectric grease on it and had pretty rusty screws holding it down when I pulled it. I put dialectric grease on it when I re-installed it. The truck is running now but I have not driven it yet to see if it's trustworthy. Could it be that it just lost ground from not having grease ?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Ok I pulled the ignition module out and had it tested at schucks and autozone and it tested good at both places. I did notice that it didn't have any dialectric grease on it and had pretty rusty screws holding it down when I pulled it. I put dialectric grease on it when I re-installed it. The truck is running now but I have not driven it yet to see if it's trustworthy. Could it be that it just lost ground from not having grease ?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 6
From: NW MN
Any update on this? The grease you are talking about is not diaelectric grease. It is a thermal conductive grease that will come with a new module or you can buy it seperate. Make sure that you get the proper stuff as it jobs is to allow heat transfer from the module to the metal distributor plate. A lot of part time parts guys will not know there are different types of grease so make sure you get someone who knows their stuff. Since it passed the tests at the auto store make sure when you put it back in tyhat you use the grease as this still may be your problem that your modsule is not disapating the heat and fails until it cools again.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 181
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From: Boise ID
Sorry it took so long to get back to this but work and the weather got in the way. Since the last post the truck ran just perfect for one day then it would not start at all the next day. It had been starting ut not anymore. I haven't checked to see if the injectors are getting a signal yet as I have been pretty frustrated with this truck. It is kind of weird that it ran just fine after just taking the module out and putting it back in. I will check the ground wires on the back of the head as suggested. does anybody have any other ideas ?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 181
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From: Boise ID
Ok I did a little more investigating today. I have good spark ( checked it with a timing light) I got a noid light for the injectors and tested them and got nothing at all. I have ground at the injector when the key is on but no signal. What sends the signal to the injectors ? is it the ECU ?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 181
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From: Boise ID
I took the module out again and had it tested and it tested fine again but I bit the bullet and put a new ignition module in it anyway and it fired right up and is running fine today. I will let you guys know if it dies tomorrow.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 6
From: NW MN
