dead car..

So I have been suffering from an intermitant no start problem on my 86 SE Fiero.

I was led to believe that it was a possible fuil pump issue from my step-father (the cars previous owner). I haven to replaced this part as of yet, once it warms up a little I will address this issue, however for right now I can hear the pump activate with the ignition, and I do smell fuil at the engine..

anyway, heres the problem. I followed the instructions to pull the error codes off of the cumputer. I had none. Afterwards the car tried to restart, although it was "slow cranking" it just would not "catch". however it was a definate change in pitch and sound from when it would not start prior.

I charged the battey back up, suspecting that was part of the "slow cranking" issue. Now all I get is a loud "click" when I turn the key. She will not even turn over now.

Am I looking at one of the ignition modules having failed?? where should I look now?

It is an automatic car, I put it drive, and pushed it forward, in the event that it was a "ring gear" issues from the starter to transmition, however to date I do not know any such issue on this car. It had no effect.

Do you guys have a list of stuff I should look at to get this baby running again??


Thanks for any and all help guys

john

Pull the starter out. Using jumper cables, verify it works properly. It sounds like there may be a connection or cable problem.

The ignition module has no effect on cranking. It DOES affect the output of spark to get the thing running.

Jim

Pull the starter out. Using jumper cables, verify it works properly. It sounds like there may be a connection or cable problem.

The ignition module has no effect on cranking. It DOES affect the output of spark to get the thing running.

Jim


it was not the starter exactly, although the starter was weak. I did replace it. I live in the north west.. and we do get our fair share of rain.. the positive terminal lug was lose on the battery, and the cables were pulling out from it. When I pulled it before removing the starter I noticed these issues. Once the new starter was in, I corrected them, and my own personal frankenstein came back to life :-)


Thanks for pointing me in the right direction Jim

john

So this is very frustrating.. I have some kind of intermittent failure to start issue on my 86 SE Fiero. Sometimes, if I disconnect the battery I can get the car to start, and then it is fine for a day or two. Most times when it fails to start it is in the cold of the morning.. When I have been able to revive the car, I can tell, as I can hear whatever module that has stopped functioning start to make a very low “buzz” or “hum” noise when I reconnect the battery terminal. It is not the fuel pump, as I always hear it engage, and I can smell fuel at the intake.. any clues guys??

thanks

So this is very frustrating.. I have some kind of intermittent failure to start issue on my 86 SE Fiero. Sometimes, if I disconnect the battery I can get the car to start, and then it is fine for a day or two. Most times when it fails to start it is in the cold of the morning.. When I have been able to revive the car, I can tell, as I can hear whatever module that has stopped functioning start to make a very low “buzz” or “hum” noise when I reconnect the battery terminal. It is not the fuel pump, as I always hear it engage, and I can smell fuel at the intake.. any clues guys??

thanks
Sometimes the oil sending unit shorts out (pegs the gauge on my 87GT), it will cause the fuel pump to keep running. This will slowly drain the battery. When it was shorting out, you could hear a soft hum from the fuel pump running, even with the ignition off. Of course when the fuel pump is running, the fuel just sort of recirculates.

Sometimes the oil sending unit shorts out (pegs the gauge on my 87GT), it will cause the fuel pump to keep running. This will slowly drain the battery. When it was shorting out, you could hear a soft hum from the fuel pump running, even with the ignition off. Of course when the fuel pump is running, the fuel just sort of recirculates.

My battery still has pleanty of power.. my step-father had this issue for some time.. word had it that he would go out in the morning, and if the car did not start, he would try again the next day.. eventualy the car would start again.

I have had some success by pulling the positive battery lead off, however it does not always restor what ever is malfunctioning, and never when I absoulutly need it to work..

The motor is strong, but the electronics will not let it run! I do not know where to look now..