1991 camaro rs 3.1 wont start

I got a 1991 camaro rs with a 3.1 in it. It sat for a couple years. I got it to run 3 times. Ran like new when it did. Now it wont start. Justs cranks and cranks. Put a new starter, fuel filter, plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor for it, checked all the fuel pressure, Idle air control valve, and the injectors work. Dang thing wont start. Attempts to with starter fluid but thats it. Ran out of things to check. Supposed to take it to a garage tomorrow but dont want to spend the money. Please help!

Why didnt you check for fuel/spark before you went out spending alot of money? I'd start there.

i did check it.. the stuff needed to go on anyway. car sat for 2 years. gets fuel... has spark.. wont start... dont get it. engine cranks just not starting. garage says sounds like something electrical but i dont know.

if it has sat for 2 years.. the gas might be bad... fuel will change chemical compositon if allow to sit for a long time... if it sits long enough it will turn to a white powder. might need fuel system flush (approx $60). this could be why starter fluid will almost start it.

other than that check the timing, but if it ran fine before and the distributor hasn't been messed with, timing should be fine.

if car is going to sit for long time, remove battery and drain fuel.

i did check it.. the stuff needed to go on anyway. car sat for 2 years. gets fuel... has spark.. wont start... dont get it. engine cranks just not starting. garage says sounds like something electrical but i dont know.


i completely emptied the gas out of tank.. replaced most of the lines. sprung leaks. put fresh gas in added dry gas, and fuel injector cleaner. fuel pressure from pump is fine. dont know how much should be going to the fuel rail. my brother has a 91 lumina with a 3.1 in it and when you hit the release valve on the fuel rail fuel sprays out for quite awhile and in big squirts..his car runs perfect. mine will squirt like once...ive dont almost everything to this car.

any other engine work done on it recently?

do you have a timing light?

how did you verify spark and fuel delivery? checked injectors or just at the rail?

could be bad fuel pressure regulator.

any other engine work done on it recently?

do you have a timing light?

how did you verify spark and fuel delivery? checked injectors or just at the rail?

could be bad fuel pressure regulator.


took the rail off and tried starting the car. injectors sprayed. got to get a new timing light.. dont know what happened to it. but what bugs me is the car ran all day long a week ago. ran beautiful. then just stopped.

okay.

you didn't say how you checked spark. if no spark, take ignition control module out of distibutor and have parts store test it. test the coil too if they have the equipment.

u didn't say if anything had been added (performance parts) or worked on recently.

did you check to see if all wires are snuggly fitted into distributor and coil? nothing hanging down where you can't see it?

if distributor was removed, maybe not re-installed properly, timing could be off.
check rotor for correct installation, timing could be off.
check timing, timing could be off. get timing light. :)

if this doesn't help... then next step is a compression test on all six cylinders.

Sounds like it could be a VATS system problem. often times the wires in the ignition lock cylender will break and vats will disable the car because its not reading the propor resistance off the key. however you said it has both fuel and spark so thats probly not it some to think of it.

Have you run the car for error codes? all it takes is a paper clip.

Sounds like it could be a VATS system problem. often times the wires in the ignition lock cylender will break and vats will disable the car because its not reading the propor resistance off the key. however you said it has both fuel and spark so thats probly not it some to think of it.

Have you run the car for error codes? all it takes is a paper clip.

we tried running for codes...couldnt get anything...thats why i wonder if its some kinda computer problem. when the key is set to the on position the idle air control runs constantly and there is a click everytime the service engine light blinks. the click is on the canister.

then i return to saying i think its a ignition control module that crapped out. My IROC was running like crap and not turning up any codes, and it wound up being an ICM.

i tried telling the people helping with the car it could be that cause ive seen other postings in here saying to check that. but they disagreed everytime. and with my schedule and where the car is its hard for me to do alot to it. when i first got the car the starter was bad. replaced it got it running with starter fluid and it worked all day. turn it on and off. then it puked. got it going again did same thing. the 3rd time it ran, it ran for about 2 minutes and stalled...never ran since. the days it did run though it was hot out.. bout 95...since its only been like 70-75

Id say replace the ICM, its not expensive, and it will at least rule that out. Also, have you replaced the O2 sensor (grasping in the dark) and worst case scenario, you got a bad fuel pump. If you had to start it with starter fluid, it does sound like a fuel delivery problem..... which could be a bad MAP sensor actually, we had a daiwoo (hate those cars) that was showing somewhat similar traits, that came and went, and was showing lean codes or no code at all, turned out to be a bad MAP sensor.

Id say replace the ICM, its not expensive, and it will at least rule that out. Also, have you replaced the O2 sensor (grasping in the dark) and worst case scenario, you got a bad fuel pump. If you had to start it with starter fluid, it does sound like a fuel delivery problem..... which could be a bad MAP sensor actually, we had a daiwoo (hate those cars) that was showing somewhat similar traits, that came and went, and was showing lean codes or no code at all, turned out to be a bad MAP sensor.

map sensor is good. tried that. didnt change o2 sensor...would that be to the air filter? not quite sure.. It has a k&n non disposable air filter system in it. not original..but i hope its just the icm...would be awesome. just picked the car up for 400 bucks and its in mint condition. just didnt run... friends father died so they needed money. All in all after im done it willstill be worth it no matter the prob

the O2 sensor is in the exaust system. it measures the level of oxygen in the exaust to determine if your engine is running correctly. If its malfunctioned it might cause a no run condition.

i doubt the O2 problem... the computer doesn't even attempt to get a signal from the 02 sensor until it has warmed up (closed loop). the car should still start even if the 02 isn't installed. but like i said, i would take the ICM out and have the parts store test it until it gets hot.

I been going through exact same thing last few months with my 91 RS v6 3.1, it sat for 6 years. Last week I finally fixed it, some of the car is in my shed, some is on my porch, some has been sold, last few things on the body will come off this weekend. Anyone need parts? But don't let this discourage you, I'd really appreciate hearing how you end up fixing it, if it ends up being the O2 though I'm gonna be sad...lol. I did replace my ECC, Distributor, fuel pump, and rest of ignition, emptied fuel, replaced plugs, wires, etc. etc. Mine did fire up a few times too and ran great, one thing I was thinking though that I had it running after the new distributor but I did not have it tightened down so I could adjust it. I was wondering if maybe it rotated while I had it running and it possibly jumped time. It did stop rather abruptly after running for about 45 mins.

I been going through exact same thing last few months with my 91 RS v6 3.1, it sat for 6 years. Last week I finally fixed it, some of the car is in my shed, some is on my porch, some has been sold, last few things on the body will come off this weekend. Anyone need parts? But don't let this discourage you, I'd really appreciate hearing how you end up fixing it, if it ends up being the O2 though I'm gonna be sad...lol. I did replace my ECC, Distributor, fuel pump, and rest of ignition, emptied fuel, replaced plugs, wires, etc. etc. Mine did fire up a few times too and ran great, one thing I was thinking though that I had it running after the new distributor but I did not have it tightened down so I could adjust it. I was wondering if maybe it rotated while I had it running and it possibly jumped time. It did stop rather abruptly after running for about 45 mins.


found out the computer took a crap. replaced it...runs great..no problems