Intermittent Starting Issues 93 3.1L

[megsfarm]

I am a demolition derby driver and regularly use the 3.1L v6 Sunbird's (as I can run them with 4 cylinder cars). Great car and have always treated me well.

Anyways, I recently stripped mine down (hooked up my own fuel cell) and all seemed fine. I removed the entire dash and ever since then I have had intermittent starting problems. Sometimes it starts and runs fine, sometimes it will run and just shut off. You can hear a "pop" that sounds like a relay clicking from under the hood when it will not start (keep in mind I have spark and fuel). ABS light is flashing on the dash. The only code I'm getting is a 54, which is likely because I've removed the F/P fuse and cut the wires to stock pump.

Do you think I unplugged a vital connector when removing the dash? Or is it likely a coincidence that these issues started after removing the dash?

 

[melsg5]

when it wont start spray some starting fluid into the throttle body, if it starts you have a fuel problem, check the pressure.

 

[92 Sunbird LE]

Could be a bad fuel pump relay, ( one of the 3 on the passenger side by the hood hinge) Its the one with the purple wire I think, swap them around and see if that fixes it.

Doug in P.R.

 

[megsfarm]

Swapped the relays around, no change. It ran on starter fluid. Adequate pressue in fuel rail but seems as though gas not getting into cylinder. Ran injector cleaner and no change. Hooked 12v to injectors and heard them click. Couldn't hear them click when turning key. Are they fused somewhere?

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[melsg5]

What do you mean by adequate pressure, did you test with a gauge?

 

[megsfarm]

yes - 45 psi

 

[melsg5]

The fact that the problem is intermitant rules out something being not connected. Even so it could be that something perhaps the ECM has a poor connection. Start looking at all the connections that you dealt with for something that has a corroded, not fully seating, or bent connector.

 

[92 Sunbird LE]

Does water get in (from the cowl area ) inside the car. ? ( passenger side)


Could also be the ignition switch ( on top of the column ) is taking a dump.

I changed mine a year ago ( bad) and Thursday it got loose and the car wouldnt start , wife helped to tow it home and found out that the bolts had worked themselves loose pain in the rear to tighten them , one is 5/16ths and you can only use an open end wrench on it, the other is 3/8ths.

You have to drop the column to get to it.

Doug in P.R.

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