Alright, if you haven't read my previous posts, I diagnosed the system to have a bad maf. After replacing it, the car started and ran great, so I swaped out the tranny governor. Low and behold, the car shifts again and I drove the car around for about an hour. The shift points were a bit high, so I figured I'd over filled the tranny fluid a little. I let the car sit for a few hours and drained off some of the fluid and readjusted the TV cable. Then the car started up and ran very poorly. It stumbled off idle badly then didn't have any power and was very unresponsive to the throttle. The car stalled around the block and wasn't much fun to push up a hill since I couldn't get it start, even with a jump. I have yet to get the car started since. I got a code 33 stored. I tried the green wire to see if it had continuity to the ecm and made sure the connections were good. It all was.

The fuel pressure is good and there is good spark at the plugs.
I have come down to the conclusion that it's either one of the MAF relays, but not the fuel pump relay, since it clicks on at startup and the fuel system charges. I think it may also be the ecm since I'm chasing gremlins now.

Anybody that has any suggestions to what it might be would really be appreciated at this point, since I'm basically guessing at what it might be.

Also, if any more info is needed, I probably know it since I've been doing a lot of troubleshooting with this.

Chris

 

I had the same symtoms but it's not a common thing that happened to me. The fuel filter totally plugged up solid. I checked for spark and I even checked for fuel pressure at the value but I just pushed the valve in by hand and sprayed fuel all over myself. So I was convinced it was getting fuel (but wasn't). I kept cranking until the battery died. I should have quit after a few minutes because after the Chevy dealer fixed the filter, the fuel pump was shot by then. $450 later.....

I'd get some of that ether spray and shoot some in the throttle body and see if it wants to start then. But just loosen the rubber boot a little crack at the throttle body because the MAF needs air flowing over it to start the engine also. I found that out the hard way too. Anyway, if it wants to start on the ether, it's not getting fuel.

Also check the ignition wire on the distributor right next to the tach wire on the cap. If it came loose, it won't start either.

This also happened to me but I don't know if it has to anyone else. The starter has a copper post where the positive wire comes to it. This post is held in place by a large copper nut. The end on the post you can't see is the contact that engages the starter. If that nut comes loose, the post will shift and the contacts inside the starter won't connect to it when you try to start the car. I paid almost $100 for a rebuilt starter when all I needed to do is tighten the large copper nut on the positive post of the starter. I found that out when I made the swap. Then I slipped with the wrench and broke the knock sensor but that's another story.

Weird stuff but it happens.

BTW, nice drop. Looks good!

BIG JIM


[Modified by BIG JIM 54, 7:06 PM 9/28/2002]

 

Thank you for the input. Check out my later post, the corrected maybe on a lead one. I'm sure it's getting fuel, since I checked the pressure and got almost 39psi. I think it might be the maf burnoff relay or the ecm circuitry involved with the maf burnoff cycle.
A new set of relays for the fuel pump (its involved with the maf), maf power and maf burnoff are on the way as well as a new ecm for good measure. I'll probably be replacing the maf once I get all the stuff in, but there's a chance the newer maf i put in isn't burned up yet.

Chris

 

Hey bud,

Unplug the maf and see if it will start. The car will start with the maf unplugged. It will run like butt, but that should eliminate the maf, if thats the culprit.

 

Funny story, kinda related to the pics in your sig...

In '71, I was with the 9th MT Btn, just outside Kin Son Ville...My buddy was taking my picture, with a rice paddy and a monument in the background...An old Okinawan man started chasing us, screaming and waving a hoe at us...

...Found out later, they believe the spirits of their ancestors will be trapped in the photograph...

...Or some such superstition... :D

 

I've heard that superstition too. They warn us about taking photographs of tombs.
I tried the maf thing, and it didn't run. Before I replaced the maf a few days ago, I unplugged my old one and it ran. I did it this time the car wouldn't run and no luck. Check out my other post, "maybe on a lead, correction". It details the troubleshooting to the current point.
I think I might have this problem licked, though. A new ECM, the 2 maf relays, and the fuel pump relay on the way. Once I replace those, I'll see if my new maf is shot too. I think the burnoff circuit is on when the car is on, giving me the code 33, maf voltage high. I don't know if the ecm is activating the burnoff relay or if the relay is burnt out in the closed position.

Chris

 

I would almost bet that the problem is relay related. Replace those first.
:cheers: