89crxsi

Let me lay out the whole situation.

About 2 months ago my 1995 Firebird Formula M6 just died in the middle of the road after running absolutely perfect. (My first thought was "OPTISPARK") I tow it home and use troubeshooting techniques from Shbox website; it appeared my ICM was bad. The car had over 100,000 miles on stock ICM,Opti,and Coil so I wasn't mad. I then ordered a Brand new Optispark,ICM,and a MSD Coil and just installed everything yesterday. Go to crank it and it won't start. The fuel pump primes and the coil is giving off a bright blue spark . I bought a bottle of starter fluid,sprayed it into the throttle bodies and the engine started right up and idled for about 5 seconds until it ran out of fluid..So I'm thinking I have fuel issue but the fuel pump is priming when ignition is on and when cranking. So I'm ruling out the fuel pump.

I'm at a total loss and I need help.

Thanks in advance.

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

You can't rule out the fuel pump until you've gotten a fuel pressure gauge on the fuel rail and diagnosed it. Just because it sounds like it's running doesn't mean it's putting out ample pressure to keep the car running. A fuel pressure test should be your next course of action for sure.

89crxsi

I really hope it's not the fuel pump,I replaced it 4 months ago with oem and that was a PITA.

How do you test for fuel pressure with these cars.

89crxsi

Also, the two 7.5A fuel injector fuses are good.

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

As I mentioned in my first post, you need a fuel pressure test gauge (for fuel injection with a screw-on fitting for the Schrader valve on the fuel rail - they run about $30-$35). Pressure should be around 43lbs with the key on, engine off and should hold steady once the pump is primed.

89crxsi

I put a fuel pressure guage on the schrader valve and it reads between 3-5 lbs while cranking. So it's defineately a fuel issue. I'm not sure what to do next, the fuel pump primes and has the correct voltage according to my meter with ign on and cranking.

Could the fuel filter cause this issue?

What next?

the_merv

iTrader: (88)

I'm voting Fuel Pump. Mine took a **** on me when I pulled it out of storage after getting back from Iraq..did it while driving too.

Cut an access panel when you change it.

89crxsi

Something else I noticed while troubleshooting today.

When the pump primes it sounds like a waterfall in the fuel tank. Does that mean all the fuel it's pumping is going right back into the tank instead of the motor? I read something about a check valve or ball going bad causing the pump to leak insided the tank.

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

If the flex pipe or fitting from the pump to the line at the top of the tank is broken or leaking then yes, it's possible to hear that sound.

the_merv

iTrader: (88)

Won't know till you pull it apart..

89crxsi

I think this time I'll cut the metal to access the pump like the_merv said..Also thanks for the picture of the L shaped cutout in the other thread..

89crxsi

UPDATE :

I got the assembly out of the tank and the damn flex tube was disconnected from the top ,it's an oem flex tube with the GM clamps..I clamped it back on,put the assembly back in the tank and the car started right up 1st crank and show 44psi at idle..

WTF,why would the flex tube just come off like that? It fits on tight and everything and I can't pull it off without depressing the GM clamp..

Why would this happen?

Thanks for the help so far

94maro

hit any realy big pot holes?? maybe it wasent on all they way from last time u changed it? maybe it just wanted u to work on it..l,ol

qc97z

iTrader: (9)

You never know, it could be a number of things. Clamp wasn't ever tight all the way from the factory, it vibrated apart, hit a big bump, etc. The good news is it was a simple fix.