Ask Me Help Desk - 1990 chevy pick-up NO START

1990 chevy pick-up NO START

I have a 90 chevy Scottsdale 1500. 130000 miles
It is running a 350 with throttle body injection.
One day just quit. Brought it home and it started, lot of black smoke. Found 2 codes on the computer, O2 sensor (found broke) and temp switch (below -27 for 30 seconds at start-up).
Changed the 02 sensor, gave a complete tune-up.(plugs, wires, cap, rotor, fuel filter, air filter) Has never had a tune up since I have owned it, so it was due.
Tried to start, would not start. Thought may need some gas to prime the fuel filter(?? ) put some into the throttle body after a few tries it started.
Pulled it out of the barn and let it warm up.
Turned it off. Would not restart. After a few times it finally started. RUN GREAT! Took it for a ride, got down the street and it died again. Restarted it would only run full throttle with no RPM's. After about 3 or 4 minutes of running that way I let it stall out. Got out of the truck and found the muffler RED hot (glowing).
Thught it to be a pluged cat. Converter. Cut the cat. Out. No change can not restart at all. It has good spark, fuel coming through the injectors and cranks fine.
The only code is 15 (temp below -27 degrees for more than 30 seconds)
I do not know how to reset that code.
Any help would be great.

Thank you

Sounds like a bad igniter. I would replace the coil at the same time, because of the age and mileage on the truck. Keep me posted.

Here's what the igniter looks like and costs:

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductL...Control%20Unit

Even if I am getting good spark?
Could it still be the ing. Mod.

Quote:

Originally Posted by txgreasemonkey

Sounds like a bad igniter. I would replace the coil at the same time, because of the age and mileage on the truck. Keep me posted.

Here's what the igniter looks like and costs:

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductL...Control%20Unit

Yes, it might not be firing exactly when your ECM wants it to. When they start failing, they become erratic--sometimes work okay and other times not. They will sometimes work okay when starting but fail when they get hot.

Quote:

[Took it for a ride, got down the street and it died again. Restarted it would only run full throttle with no RPM's.

That sounds like a bad igniter, to me. Many brands are not real expensive for your truck anyway. Igniters drive the tachometer. If the tachometer is reading zero, with full throttle, then it's sort of a dead giveaway that the igniter is bad.

Well but an ingnition mod. In and still nothing.
Truck still do not start.
Any other ideas?

Thanks

Reset the computer and then try starting. If that does not work, test/replace the coil (Autozone will do for free). Try and test for bad CYL/CKP/TDC sensors. If it still doesn't start, check your computer.

How do I test the sensors? CYL,CKP,TDC and where are they?

Coil seem to check out fine.
Please let me know.

You would need to get a Haynes Manual to help with troubleshooting your sensors. They are likely located in your distributor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by taker442

I have a 90 chevy Scottsdale 1500. 130000 miles
It is running a 350 with throttle body injection.
One day just quit. Brought it home and it started, lot of black smoke. Found 2 codes on the computer, O2 sensor (found broke) and temp switch (below -27 for 30 seconds at start-up).
Changed the 02 sensor, gave a complete tune-up.(plugs, wires, cap, rotor, fuel filter, air filter) Has never had a tune up since I have owned it, so it was due.
Tried to start, would not start. Thought may need some gas to prime the fuel filter(????) put some into the throttle body after a few tries it started.
Pulled it out of the barn and let it warm up.
Turned it off. Would not restart. After a few times it finally started. RUN GREAT!. Took it for a ride, got down the street and it died again. Restarted it would only run full throttle with no RPM's. After about 3 or 4 minutes of running that way I let it stall out. Got out of the truck and found the muffler RED hot (glowing).
Thught it to be a pluged cat. converter. Cut the cat. out. No change can not restart at all. It has good spark, fuel comming thru the injectors and cranks fine.
The only code is 15 (temp below -27 degrees for more than 30 seconds)
I do not know how to reset that code.
Any help would be great.

Thank you

GOT IT RUNNING!!

It was the combo of the O2 sensor and the Temp Sensor together.
The temp sensor told the injectors to spray way too much fuel flooding the engine completely.
I pulled all the plugs and let it just sit for a day to air it all out.
Put the plugs back in and it fired right up!

Running good not, thanks to everyone for the help!

Hey I also have a 1990 chevy scottsdale... I tried to start it up one day and it wouldn't stay running unless I would keep giving it gas after I replaced the throttle body on it, I replaced the fuel filter and also changed the injectors in it.. And after I did that I would start it up and keep giving it gas for awhile then it would keep an idle for maybe 20 seconds then it would just die on me again. So if you have any suggestions I would appreciate it thanks!