1990 Engine stumbles, Dies HELP!!!!!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 193
Likes: 18
From: Evansville IN
1990 Engine stumbles, Dies HELP!!!!!!
Drove it last weekend. Running great, filled up with gas. Heading north bout 30 mins later, merging on to interstate and it acted as if it was running out of gas. Would restart and run rough bout 5 seconds then die. After 2 hrs, tow truck arrived. Upon getting to garage and unload, she fired right off and ran fine. Drove it home bout half mile. Tried to start it again bout 2 hrs later and it wouldn't hit a lick. Crank but didn't try to run. Next day, I replaced the fuel pump, removed pulsator and used fuel line hose. Replaced fuel filter. Started it up and it ran great. Let it idle bout 20 mins, just listening, then WHAM. It started missing and sputtering until it died. Garage said pick up in distributor bad, so I replaced the whole distributor. New plugs, distributor, fuel pump, fuel filter and runs like crap until it just dies. No smoke out the exhaust. Fuel pressure holding 45 lbs. Even after shutting it off it holds 45 lbs after setting half hour anyway. Looking for ideas as we're getting stumped here. Help if you can please. Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
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From: near the thumb in the mitten
Codes? Was coil replaced with distributor? Run car until car quits when engine is cranked is there spark on at least 2 wires and injector pulse on 2 or more injectors? IAC can cause decell stalling or no start if it drifts or gets stuck out, blocking off air flow. If pedal is held down slight car will run - not really sounding like what you have going on.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
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From: Park City Utah
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
START WITH THE BASICS. What is missing that prevents it from running?
"ECM not going into closed loop" won't cause the car to die...OR not start. Car can run just fine, indefinitely in open loop.
"ECM not going into closed loop" won't cause the car to die...OR not start. Car can run just fine, indefinitely in open loop.
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good call. 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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OP - did you keep the original distributor or did you exchange for a reman etc? You don't mention what was bought for a distributor? What was bought? If you kept it don't "toss it". If there's a core charge on what you've bought I'd maybe forfeit the $$$ rather than give up the OE/GM you removed.
Not a condition of NO START but I believe if the ECM doesn't see a reference signal from the distributor it won't enter CLOSED LOOP - of course there are other conditional requirements for the change.
The check of BASICS and of course the INJECTORS very likely need attention if they're OE.
Not a condition of NO START but I believe if the ECM doesn't see a reference signal from the distributor it won't enter CLOSED LOOP - of course there are other conditional requirements for the change.
The check of BASICS and of course the INJECTORS very likely need attention if they're OE.
Last edited by WVZR-1; Oct 25, 2016 at 09:26 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
If the ECM doesn't see a reference signal from the distributor, nothing will happen; no spark, no injector pulse, no fuel pump...nothing but starter crank.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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The shop told the OP it needed pole piece/pick-up coil initially and he BOUGHT a distributor for why? Now the same shop is telling him his situation is something entirely different. I was just attempting to get the OP back to BASICS as suggested earlier in the thread.
Last edited by WVZR-1; Oct 25, 2016 at 10:37 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
Not going into closed loop shouldn't cause a no start. Closed loop happens with mostly from O2 sensor activity. No O2 activity usually set a DTC 13. Fuel quality is a possible You could try to siphon some from tank or remove fuel filter and see what shakes out. Are you trying to DIY or is car at repair shop?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
I'm not looking to "debate" the issue. I was actually attempting to let the OP know that he needs to keep the distributor he removed. I meant the mention of "reference signal" as maybe just a reinforcement of the why to!!
The shop told the OP it needed pole piece/pick-up coil initially and he BOUGHT a distributor for why? Now the same shop is telling him his situation is something entirely different. I was just attempting to get the OP back to BASICS as suggested earlier in the thread.
The shop told the OP it needed pole piece/pick-up coil initially and he BOUGHT a distributor for why? Now the same shop is telling him his situation is something entirely different. I was just attempting to get the OP back to BASICS as suggested earlier in the thread.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 193
Likes: 18
From: Evansville IN
I think we got it.
Number one injector is out. Unplug it and it runs good on the other 7. Hook it back up and all hell breaks loose. Guess it's time for a new set. Any suggestions? All stock except exhaust. Thanks
Race Director
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