Not starting, cutting out at idle
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- POC Newbie
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2014 3:43 pm
- Membership No: 15-C010
- Year: 1991
- Model: Trans Am
- Engine: 305
- Name: Chris Ward
- Location: Cambridgeshire
- Contact:
Not starting, cutting out at idle
(91 Trans Am, 5.0 TPI LB9)
Went for a short drive Monday evening. When I got back the engine cut out as I was parking up (it would only have been idling). Turning the key started it straight up again.
Next time I tried using the car was Thursday morning and I just couldn't get the engine to start. Tried again Friday and it eventually started after many attempts. I left it idling (noticed the revs were occasionally dipping) and it cut out after a few minutes, but again I was able to start it straight up again. I didn't drive it anywhere.
Today it's back to not starting again. I've ordered new ignition components - ICM, distributor cap, rotor, coil, wires, spark plugs. I've got a new fuel filter but can't fit it until I manage to get the car onto the drive. Could the fuel pump be failing? I know there's a test valve on the fuel rail but I don't have a gauge to hook up to it.
Went for a short drive Monday evening. When I got back the engine cut out as I was parking up (it would only have been idling). Turning the key started it straight up again.
Next time I tried using the car was Thursday morning and I just couldn't get the engine to start. Tried again Friday and it eventually started after many attempts. I left it idling (noticed the revs were occasionally dipping) and it cut out after a few minutes, but again I was able to start it straight up again. I didn't drive it anywhere.
Today it's back to not starting again. I've ordered new ignition components - ICM, distributor cap, rotor, coil, wires, spark plugs. I've got a new fuel filter but can't fit it until I manage to get the car onto the drive. Could the fuel pump be failing? I know there's a test valve on the fuel rail but I don't have a gauge to hook up to it.
- cowboy1sf
- POC Ultimate Poster
- Posts: 1760
- Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:10 am
- Membership No: 20-440
- Year: 2001
- Model: TA WS6
- Engine: 350
- Name: Steve Fullam-Cowboy
- Location: Guildford Surrey
- Location: Guildford Surrey
- Contact:
Re: Not starting, cutting out at idle
My 92 did this one day when I took her out, its turned out to be the distributor cap & rotor. replaced and all was good again. I noticed also that when it rained water runs down all over the distributor on the 92 so had a little plastic thing made up to keep it dry. Don't know if the 91 has the same issue? ![usa :usa:](./images/smilies/usa.gif)
![usa :usa:](./images/smilies/usa.gif)
GET OFF MY LAWN!!
{BIG C}
Owner of the Black Pimpernel
-
- POC Newbie
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2014 3:43 pm
- Membership No: 15-C010
- Year: 1991
- Model: Trans Am
- Engine: 305
- Name: Chris Ward
- Location: Cambridgeshire
- Contact:
Re: Not starting, cutting out at idle
Mine's got a plastic piece that matches the shape of the intake plenum and covers the distributor cap - I thought that was standard on all TPIs? Still, I'll replace the cap and rotor anyway as I don't know how old they are.
I replaced the fuel filter and cleaned the throttle body and idle control valve. It started up and idled fine afterwards. Not sure if it's "fixed" - I'll see how it behaves over the next week. Fingers crossed!
I replaced the fuel filter and cleaned the throttle body and idle control valve. It started up and idled fine afterwards. Not sure if it's "fixed" - I'll see how it behaves over the next week. Fingers crossed!
- cowboy1sf
- POC Ultimate Poster
- Posts: 1760
- Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:10 am
- Membership No: 20-440
- Year: 2001
- Model: TA WS6
- Engine: 350
- Name: Steve Fullam-Cowboy
- Location: Guildford Surrey
- Location: Guildford Surrey
- Contact:
Re: Not starting, cutting out at idle
I don't know if the cover is standard as mine at the time didn't have one. hope you get it sorted with minimal cost! ![thumb :thumb:](./images/smilies/old_thumb.gif)
![thumb :thumb:](./images/smilies/old_thumb.gif)
GET OFF MY LAWN!!
{BIG C}
Owner of the Black Pimpernel
-
- POC Newbie
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2014 3:43 pm
- Membership No: 15-C010
- Year: 1991
- Model: Trans Am
- Engine: 305
- Name: Chris Ward
- Location: Cambridgeshire
- Contact:
Re: Not starting, cutting out at idle
Well today it started fine, then stalled when I put it in reverse to get off the drive. It did that a couple of times but was alright after a few minutes warming up in Park.
New ignition components should be here by the weekend. Hopefully that fixes it!
New ignition components should be here by the weekend. Hopefully that fixes it!
- cowboy1sf
- POC Ultimate Poster
- Posts: 1760
- Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:10 am
- Membership No: 20-440
- Year: 2001
- Model: TA WS6
- Engine: 350
- Name: Steve Fullam-Cowboy
- Location: Guildford Surrey
- Location: Guildford Surrey
- Contact:
Re: Not starting, cutting out at idle
fingers crossed, let us know the out come
GET OFF MY LAWN!!
{BIG C}
Owner of the Black Pimpernel
-
- POC Newbie
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2014 3:43 pm
- Membership No: 15-C010
- Year: 1991
- Model: Trans Am
- Engine: 305
- Name: Chris Ward
- Location: Cambridgeshire
- Contact:
Re: Not starting, cutting out at idle
I started installing my new ignition components at the weekend:
- Spark plugs (who decided it was a good idea to hide them under the exhaust manifolds?
)
- Spark plug wires
- Ignition coil
Then I took off the old distributor cap and found that a chunk had broken off the reluctor (is that the right word?) on the top of the distributor. So a new distributor is on the way from RockAuto!
![Image](http://www.chrisward.org.uk/pics/distributor.jpg)
- Spark plugs (who decided it was a good idea to hide them under the exhaust manifolds?
![Mad :-x](./images/smilies/icon_mad.gif)
- Spark plug wires
- Ignition coil
Then I took off the old distributor cap and found that a chunk had broken off the reluctor (is that the right word?) on the top of the distributor. So a new distributor is on the way from RockAuto!
![Image](http://www.chrisward.org.uk/pics/distributor.jpg)
- cowboy1sf
- POC Ultimate Poster
- Posts: 1760
- Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:10 am
- Membership No: 20-440
- Year: 2001
- Model: TA WS6
- Engine: 350
- Name: Steve Fullam-Cowboy
- Location: Guildford Surrey
- Location: Guildford Surrey
- Contact:
Re: Not starting, cutting out at idle
Thought it would be that. A least you know now.
GET OFF MY LAWN!!
{BIG C}
Owner of the Black Pimpernel
-
- POC Newbie
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2014 3:43 pm
- Membership No: 15-C010
- Year: 1991
- Model: Trans Am
- Engine: 305
- Name: Chris Ward
- Location: Cambridgeshire
- Contact:
Re: Not starting, cutting out at idle
The advice seems to be to ensure that cylinder 1 is at TDC before replacing the distributor. Is that necessary or can I just note the position of the rotor arm and ensure the new one is installed the same way? Obviously I'll still have to adjust the timing afterwards.
- cowboy1sf
- POC Ultimate Poster
- Posts: 1760
- Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:10 am
- Membership No: 20-440
- Year: 2001
- Model: TA WS6
- Engine: 350
- Name: Steve Fullam-Cowboy
- Location: Guildford Surrey
- Location: Guildford Surrey
- Contact:
Re: Not starting, cutting out at idle
I just noted the position of the rotor arm didn't even have to do the timing seem to run fine, but i did take it for a service and a tune a week later just in case to make sure all was spot on. They did say the timing was a wee bit off when they tuned her up
GET OFF MY LAWN!!
{BIG C}
Owner of the Black Pimpernel
-
- POC Newbie
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2014 3:43 pm
- Membership No: 15-C010
- Year: 1991
- Model: Trans Am
- Engine: 305
- Name: Chris Ward
- Location: Cambridgeshire
- Contact:
Re: Not starting, cutting out at idle
Well the new distributor has fixed my starting and running problems, but seems to have given me a new oil leak. I used a new Fel-Pro gasket on it but oil is still finding a way out, just where the distributor shaft enters the intake manifold. Maybe I need to pull it out and reseat it again?
- bhm1712
- Site Admin
- Posts: 2672
- Joined: Sun May 10, 2009 4:58 pm
- Membership No: 20-607
- Year: 2001
- Model: Trans-Am WS6
- Engine: 350
- Name: Ian
- Location: Nottingham
- Location: Nottingham
- Contact:
Re: Not starting, cutting out at idle
Pull it out and use some RTV silicone on the gasket to seal it up.
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