92 Tbird Won't Start

[edmswiz]

I have bought a 92 Tbird LX w/ 5.0 engne for my son. It has been running great then it started acting like it had no power and when he pulled it to the side of the road it died and has refused to start. I have checked the fuel (getting fuel to the runners on the engine) spark (getting spark to the plugs). What is suspect is the injectors may not be firing. Any ideas on testing or other areas to look?

[overl0rd]

Did you check fuel pressure? Sometimes you will still get fuel to the rails but not at the required pressure due to bad pump, regulator, or plugged filter.

[edmswiz]

Originally Posted by overl0rd

Did you check fuel pressure? Sometimes you will still get fuel to the rails but not at the required pressure due to bad pump, regulator, or plugged filter.

How do you check the pressure? I see an fitting on the fuel rail that looks like a pressure gauge can be hooked to it. Is there a pressure guage that you can buy at the auto parts store?

[overl0rd]

Yes, you just hook it up the fitting with the schrader valve in it, and turn the ignition on. You can buy one or borrow one from autozone. Key on engine off pressure should be 35-40 PSI.

[forcfed93]

Originally Posted by overl0rd

Yes, you just hook it up the fitting with the schrader valve in it, and turn the ignition on. You can buy one or borrow one from autozone. Key on engine off pressure should be 35-40 PSI.

I had a simular problem last spring .... I had moisture in the fuel.

[edmswiz]

Originally Posted by overl0rd

Yes, you just hook it up the fitting with the schrader valve in it, and turn the ignition on. You can buy one or borrow one from autozone. Key on engine off pressure should be 35-40 PSI.

I checked the pressure and it is about 40psi when cranking the engine. I also removed one of the plugs and cranked the engine to check the amount of spark and it seemed to working as expected. Is there a way to check if the injectors are firing. My only other thought is the timimg chain if that isn't it. Any ideas?

[overl0rd]

You can hook a noid light to the injector plug to see if its getting juice to ire the injector. Also check voltage from the throttle position sensor. If the PCM doesnt get signal from it the car won't run.

[overl0rd]

Something else just occured to me, make sure all your grounds are good. Make sure no ground straps are rusted or corroded through.

[edmswiz]

Originally Posted by overl0rd

You can hook a noid light to the injector plug to see if its getting juice to ire the injector. Also check voltage from the throttle position sensor. If the PCM doesnt get signal from it the car won't run.

I checked and the injectors are getting voltage. I also checked the throttle position sensor with an ohmeter and it seemed to be working fine. I have also replaced the battery and replaced the spark plugs thinking a voltage or firing issue with no luck. The engine cranks but does not try to start and the started winds out of juice very quickly even with a new battery. Another other ideas?

[97Bird]

Check for codes. Do a compression test. You can see if there is slop in the timing chain by using a socket and breaker bar on the harmonic balancer bolt and rocking it back and forth.

[forcfed93]

Does it even pop? (any fire at all). Are the plugs fouling out?

If they are fouled, try to light the tip of the plug with a lighter or match. If it doesn't burn, drain the gas out of the car and put in some fresh gas. This happend to me a year ago and i drained the tank and put in fresh gas and it started right up. It took about 10 miles to clean up the idle, but I haven't had any more trouble.

The only other things I can think of are Crank Sensor and Cam Sensor.