85 Will not Stay Running!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Bend Oregon
85 Will not Stay Running!
I have read alot of guys having this issue and my wallet is getting thin throwing parts. Car has been sitting for a couple years.. Replaced battery and fuel filter, added new gas, Will only run for about 10 seconds and then dies. We found a trick to keep it hooked up to the charger and start, Ran and idles great, touching the gas pedal chokes it out, and is unresponsive. I put new spark plugs in all around at this point, Still the same. Jumpered the car and got code 22, Replaced the tps, Problem was still not staying running. Tried a couple more tries in the next couple days, Got it to start, Throttle response was perfect, Did some cookies in the front yard a was so excited (the wife was not)...then it stalled, back to same issues. Noticed today the Air switching solenoid was broken, mickey moused the vacuum line, no avil. It does not trow any more codes, but will start great, sound amazing, and die after 10 seconds. Im going to try to remove all the air emissions system tomorrow, as it already has given me enough trouble... Wondering it anyone else has any idea where to look next. Thank you All 
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Fuel, Air and Spark.
Check fuel pressure and make sure your spark is blue. Check for leaks in the plug wires. Keep the car running in a DARK garage and spray a fine water mist around the wires and see if you get stumbling or a light show. If so, the plug wires are toast.
Next, since you can't idle it, lets proceed to the next thing. Hook the scanner up and see what the IAC counts are when the engine is at operating temp and all except the engine are off.
Check fuel pressure and make sure your spark is blue. Check for leaks in the plug wires. Keep the car running in a DARK garage and spray a fine water mist around the wires and see if you get stumbling or a light show. If so, the plug wires are toast.
Next, since you can't idle it, lets proceed to the next thing. Hook the scanner up and see what the IAC counts are when the engine is at operating temp and all except the engine are off.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Bend Oregon
Alright... after working on it all day, chasing wires and vac, unplugged the mass air flow sensor... Car fires right up runs and drives. Yet another part, but at least i will be rolling in style this summer.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,752
Likes: 276
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
I have read alot of guys having this issue and my wallet is getting thin throwing parts. Car has been sitting for a couple years.. Replaced battery and fuel filter, added new gas, Will only run for about 10 seconds and then dies. We found a trick to keep it hooked up to the charger and start, Ran and idles great, touching the gas pedal chokes it out, and is unresponsive. I put new spark plugs in all around at this point, Still the same. Jumpered the car and got code 22, Replaced the tps, Problem was still not staying running. Tried a couple more tries in the next couple days, Got it to start, Throttle response was perfect, Did some cookies in the front yard a was so excited (the wife was not)...then it stalled, back to same issues. Noticed today the Air switching solenoid was broken, mickey moused the vacuum line, no avil. It does not trow any more codes, but will start great, sound amazing, and die after 10 seconds. Im going to try to remove all the air emissions system tomorrow, as it already has given me enough trouble... Wondering it anyone else has any idea where to look next. Thank you All
I highly recommend you get the 85 shop manual, has all the testing / diagnostic information.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1985-Chev...item4853517f76
Also check the basics the throttle position sensor (top two wires) it should have 0.54 volts d/c at idle or ignition on, also confirm it increases smoothly to 4.5 volts d/c full throttle.
Good luck hope you are back on the road soon
Last edited by gerardvg; Apr 7, 2013 at 04:28 AM. Reason: More info
