89 won't run
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 788
Likes: 160
From: Rio Rico, AZ
89 won't run
Another kink in things. If it isn't a leaking gutter, refrigerator needing repair now it's the vette. Started it up Thursday night to drive home from work and it stuttered. Fired right up then started running like it has no fuel. I got it home, a 4.5 mile drive. Once it had warmed it ran okay. Now it won't run more than about 10 seconds without dying. It got a new fuel pump, adjustable pressure regulator, fuel filter and temperature sensor and connector about three years ago. It has run great since. I just haven't time to work on this so off to a shop Monday. I did change the fuel filter and put my pressure gauge on it. Had 40+ PSI with the key on and 40ish PSI while it would run. After about 5 minutes to pressure dropped to 38 PSI and set there till I got annoyed with it all.
Gutters, fridge, and my dad's heart. What is next?
Went
Gutters, fridge, and my dad's heart. What is next?
Went
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,472
Likes: 3,290
From: Hartford WI
Another kink in things. If it isn't a leaking gutter, refrigerator needing repair now it's the vette. Started it up Thursday night to drive home from work and it stuttered. Fired right up then started running like it has no fuel. I got it home, a 4.5 mile drive. Once it had warmed it ran okay. Now it won't run more than about 10 seconds without dying. It got a new fuel pump, adjustable pressure regulator, fuel filter and temperature sensor and connector about three years ago. It has run great since. I just haven't time to work on this so off to a shop Monday. I did change the fuel filter and put my pressure gauge on it. Had 40+ PSI with the key on and 40ish PSI while it would run. After about 5 minutes to pressure dropped to 38 PSI and set there till I got annoyed with it all.
Gutters, fridge, and my dad's heart. What is next?
Went
Gutters, fridge, and my dad's heart. What is next?
Went
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 788
Likes: 160
From: Rio Rico, AZ
The spark seems good. The engine roars to life, starts normal and then acts as if it runs out of gas. I don't have to crank long hoping it will start. Short cranking and it fires right up. The exhaust smells REALLY lean. I'm not thinking all the stuff replaced needs it again. Taking her to a shop.
Went
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 761
Likes: 68
It was three years(approx.) that Tom Wong replaced the injectors, fuel pump, pressure regulator etc. As I remember it was the injectors that were the main problem and I had him replace the other stuff while we were in there. Then he ran it on the dyno and tuned.
The spark seems good. The engine roars to life, starts normal and then acts as if it runs out of gas. I don't have to crank long hoping it will start. Short cranking and it fires right up. The exhaust smells REALLY lean. I'm not thinking all the stuff replaced needs it again. Taking her to a shop.
Went
The spark seems good. The engine roars to life, starts normal and then acts as if it runs out of gas. I don't have to crank long hoping it will start. Short cranking and it fires right up. The exhaust smells REALLY lean. I'm not thinking all the stuff replaced needs it again. Taking her to a shop.
Went
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,481
Likes: 566
From: Clearwater Florida
..... FYI ... The oil pressure switch is there just as a back-up to the fuel pump relay ... (in case it fails electrically) ... OP says he's seeing 40psi when it does run ...
..... OP , how old is the Oxygen sensor ? .....
..... OP , how old is the Oxygen sensor ? .....
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 761
Likes: 68
That's NOT true ! Oil pressure switch runs pump after start-up. The relay is activated by the ECM only upon start-up - like a 2 or 3 second pulse: reason being - car accident. Using the oil pressure switch to run the FP is for safety - if engine stalls (maybe an accident) - no fuel pumped onto street and BOOM !
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,472
Likes: 3,290
From: Hartford WI
It was three years(approx.) that Tom Wong replaced the injectors, fuel pump, pressure regulator etc. As I remember it was the injectors that were the main problem and I had him replace the other stuff while we were in there. Then he ran it on the dyno and tuned.
The spark seems good. The engine roars to life, starts normal and then acts as if it runs out of gas. I don't have to crank long hoping it will start. Short cranking and it fires right up. The exhaust smells REALLY lean. I'm not thinking all the stuff replaced needs it again. Taking her to a shop.
Went
The spark seems good. The engine roars to life, starts normal and then acts as if it runs out of gas. I don't have to crank long hoping it will start. Short cranking and it fires right up. The exhaust smells REALLY lean. I'm not thinking all the stuff replaced needs it again. Taking her to a shop.
Went
What is the fuel pressure when this thing is happening? How good is your spark? Are the wires leaking?
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,472
Likes: 3,290
From: Hartford WI
That's NOT true ! Oil pressure switch runs pump after start-up. The relay is activated by the ECM only upon start-up - like a 2 or 3 second pulse: reason being - car accident. Using the oil pressure switch to run the FP is for safety - if engine stalls (maybe an accident) - no fuel pumped onto street and BOOM !
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 788
Likes: 160
From: Rio Rico, AZ
My O2 sensor and plug wires,plugs, cap etc.seems I replaced them all summer before last.
Last edited by Went; Feb 4, 2018 at 10:32 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 788
Likes: 160
From: Rio Rico, AZ
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,472
Likes: 3,290
From: Hartford WI
ASSUMING it is fuel related and not spark, check pressure when it happens. That way we know that the pump is delivering and we can move forward.
If that works, check the spark. For all we know, it could be the ignition module but we need to know one side or the other before we can proceed.
If that works, check the spark. For all we know, it could be the ignition module but we need to know one side or the other before we can proceed.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,472
Likes: 3,290
From: Hartford WI
I don't know. I could make you feel better though. Buying parts always does. If the car isn't in closed loop, it doesn't matter. You should save your money for a scanner
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,423
Likes: 96
From: Magnolia Tx
That's NOT true ! Oil pressure switch runs pump after start-up. The relay is activated by the ECM only upon start-up - like a 2 or 3 second pulse: reason being - car accident. Using the oil pressure switch to run the FP is for safety - if engine stalls (maybe an accident) - no fuel pumped onto street and BOOM !
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 761
Likes: 68
Not been my experience ..... looking at FSM: ECM output to FP relays specifically says: "During Start Only". Then follow red wire from Fuel Pump and it goes to the Oil Pressure Switch at rear of engine. All on Page 8A-20 - 6 of 1989 FSM. I can also look up 1988 or 1987 etc. if you do not believe ?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
Not been my experience ..... looking at FSM: ECM output to FP relays specifically says: "During Start Only". Then follow red wire from Fuel Pump and it goes to the Oil Pressure Switch at rear of engine. All on Page 8A-20 - 6 of 1989 FSM. I can also look up 1988 or 1987 etc. if you do not believe ?