Cranks, turns over, no start

Tiny
SCOTTIE JOHNSON
  • MEMBER
  • 1985 CHEVROLET CAMARO
  • 2.8L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
Alright, so I got this car from a guy not running. He got it without the gas tank. Meaning no fuel pump or sending unit or tank. He found one out of an IROC. (This is the base model 2.8l v6 multi-port fuel Injection) He also bought a brand new sending unit and fuel pump for it. So soon as I get it, I install the sending unit and fuel pump into gas tank and install all of that in the car. Put four gallons of gas in there to get the needle to move from empty. Still will not start. I replace the fuel pump relay and the connector because I noticed it was broken and burnt out. Still did not fix the problem. I also replaced the 20 amp fuse for the fuel pump relay. Also dropped a brand new battery in there as well. Still does the same thing. I know the guy swapped the distributor out. He said he set the firing order just right and timed it but mistakes happen. Does anyone have any suggestions or can help me?
Saturday, January 13th, 2018 AT 2:05 PM

18 Replies

Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
Do you have spark at the plugs?

Something like this in my link might make it easier.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/lisle-inlline-spark-tester-20610/22984543-P?searchTerm=spark+tester

You say the distributor was "out", replaced, and re-timed? Without the engine ever running?

With it nice and quiet, if you turn the key to "on", Can you hear the fuel pump prime for like two seconds then cut back off? May want to try a friend stationed at the opened gas cap to listen too. (usually not necessary)

Your turn,

The Medic
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Sunday, January 14th, 2018 AT 3:10 PM
Tiny
SCOTTIE JOHNSON
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Havent an opportunity to check the plugs or wires. Yes, the Distributor was replaced without the car actually running. The guy said he replaced it, set the timing, and everything but who knows for sure. It would start and run for a split second when you sprayed brak cleaner in the choke but that was before the tank and everything was put back in there. I checked to see if I could hear the pump priming but couldnt hear a thing. Check with a multimeter to make sure everything was getting power (ie. Fuel pump fuse and relay, fuel pump connector outside the tank) and everything had power going to it. Ordered a fuel filter on rockauto. Com and should be here by Saturday. See what that does. The guy did say he didnt mess with the plugs or wires so Ill take a look at them tomorrow. Any thoughts on the distributor situation?
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Thursday, January 18th, 2018 AT 3:12 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
Cannot "set" timing unless it is running!

You don't have to pull the distributor UNLESS it is in wrong!

Showing you how to check the other guys work. You'll understand this so much better!

I'm gonna send you a link, You can stop at the end of my 2nd answer within it.

I want you to see the 2 links inside of it. (class 1 and 2)

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/car-wont-start-has-spark-and-has-fuel

I find it best to not "bump" with the starter, turn the crank with a ratchet or wrench so things don't get moving too fast for you!

When you have absorbed the info.

Run thru the steps and finally wind up at:

"Which plug wire is the rotor button pointing at?"

Then insure you know which way the rotor button turns when the engine "Would Run"

Insure your firing order follows that direction and the firing order is correct too.

If it is all correct, you won't have to change nuthin'!

Let me know what you figger out.

The Medic
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Thursday, January 18th, 2018 AT 3:51 PM
Tiny
SCOTTIE JOHNSON
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
So I checked the spark plugs and they look new. Checked over the distributor and everything lines up and is plugged in the correct firing order. I took the old fuel filter out and found out that gas in in fact getting through the fuel filter meaning the pump must be working. Went out to the car yesterday and it almost started for the first time but then it immediately died out. Changing the filter tomorrow. New one should be in by 5pm today. Anymore suggestions?
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Saturday, January 20th, 2018 AT 12:22 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
So you did run thru the procedure of finding Top Dead Center (TDC) and the rotor button was pointing at #1 tower/ plug wire on the distributor?

The Medic
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Saturday, January 20th, 2018 AT 7:20 PM
Tiny
SCOTTIE JOHNSON
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Yeah I looked at everything and it all looked good. Found out the fuel filter had something rattling in it so went to replace and the lines were so rusted they snapped on both sides. So in the process of fixing that at the moment
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Saturday, January 27th, 2018 AT 3:33 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,598 POSTS
Once you have that fixed let us know so we can continue.
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Tuesday, January 30th, 2018 AT 11:13 AM
Tiny
SCOTTIE JOHNSON
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Replaced the fuel filter finally. Heard the fuel pump prime today once I added more gas to the tank. Now when I turn the key I hear the pump priming and the starter turning but thats all it does till the battery acts like its dying out. Maybe the battery is too dead to charge?
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Sunday, February 11th, 2018 AT 1:29 PM
Tiny
SCOTTIE JOHNSON
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Not charge, I meant to say start the car. Lights do come on in the dash. The temp light comes on and the battery light comes on. Fuel light comes on then goes off.
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Sunday, February 11th, 2018 AT 1:31 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,598 POSTS
Can you take a quick video and upload here so I can see what the car is doing?
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Monday, February 12th, 2018 AT 9:51 AM
Tiny
SCOTTIE JOHNSON
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
I tried but it won't let me upload.
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Monday, February 12th, 2018 AT 4:56 PM
Tiny
SCOTTIE JOHNSON
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Those were the plugs. Rusted and burnt. Replaced them but still didnt fix the problem. Im leaning towards clogged injectors cause itll fire up for a split second when starter fluid is sprayed in the choke but wont get fuel to it on its own. How would I go about getting to the injectors to clean them?
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Monday, February 12th, 2018 AT 5:12 PM
Tiny
SCOTTIE JOHNSON
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Finally let me upload it. This is what its doing. Constantly turns but wont do anything else past that without starting fluid.
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Monday, February 12th, 2018 AT 5:15 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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It sounds like you have a weak battery or a weak starter. Please use this test to check the battery.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Did you have trouble uploading the video?
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Tuesday, February 13th, 2018 AT 10:08 AM
Tiny
SCOTTIE JOHNSON
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
I charged up the battery after making this video but it did the same thing just with a charged battery. Its just louder and doesnt sound like its dying out. I spray starter fluid in the choke and itll run for a split second but not on its own. I think its the injectors or possibly even the injector fuses? The guy before me used to run the car without a fuel tank installed but hed use brake parts cleaner. Wouldnt that mess up the injectors or possibly blow fuses?
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Wednesday, February 14th, 2018 AT 11:01 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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It does sounds like the carb is not getting gas? Can you look with a flash light down inside the carb and then pump the throttle to see if gas squirts in? (Do not crank the engine over)
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Wednesday, February 14th, 2018 AT 12:16 PM
Tiny
SCOTTIE JOHNSON
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
I will in the morning, if I don’t see gas squirting what does that mean? If so, then what? Thanks
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Wednesday, February 14th, 2018 AT 8:39 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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This means gas in not getting to the carb or you have a stuck float.
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Wednesday, February 14th, 2018 AT 9:42 PM

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