Hey guys, I have an '89 automatic with 62k miles.
I am having two issues that are driving me nuts!!!
Issue #1:
The car starts when cold with no problems. But if you run the car and it heats up and then you shut it off, it won't start back up. The engin cranks, but no start. If you let it cool down, then it starts.
I checked spark and fuel, and it's getting both. If you spray starter fluid in the throttle body, it starts right up.
Did a tune up and changed the following:
Spark Plugs
Wires
Distributor Cap
Rotor
Coil
Stator (Pick Up Coil)
Distributor Module
Manifold Air temp sensor
Mass Air Flow Sensor
Power Relay
Burn off Relay
Air Filter

Issue #2:
When at idle, the engine surges and is very rough
Are the two issues related? I would appreciate any help, I have been working on these issues for a few weeks now and I don't want to take it to the dealer who will soak me. Trying to saveso I have enough money to fill it up with gas.

HELP!!!!!!

 

Issue 2 sounds like the dreaded vacuum leak. A big enough vacuum leak could cause flooding at start up (hot), no matter how much fuel pressure behind the injectors. And this could be the hot start solution...

 

TPS voltage being to high will cause problems as you described. Can you find out what your throttle posistion sensor voltage is @ idle? Should be about .5 volts.

 

TPS Voltage is at 1 volt.
Can this be adjusted? or does it need to be replaced?

Also, I think there is a vacume leak right aroung the throttle body gasket as there is a whistling soundwhen the motor is running

Mech 259 and cwb, thanks for your help.

 

You can adjust sensor minimumly, might be able to pull in. If not replacement is in order. TPS is fairly cheap and easy to replace with the proper size Torx wrench. Actually, 1 volt is not too bad, I was speaking of the 2 -3 volt range causing the problem. To check for vacuum leak, try the old heater hose trick. Use a 3' lenght or so, one end to your ear, the other, listen around intake area to isolate vacuum leak. We also use carb spray to see if idle changes when you hit vacuum leak. When you replaced stator, you had to pull distributor, so did you put it in base timing by disconnecting "Set Timing" connector to set timing? Vacuum leaks after MAF is pulling in unmetered air, so that may be a problem on the idle surge. Where did you get your parts and what brand are they?

 

I will try adjusting the voltage to the TPS and let you know what the outcome is.
No, I didn't pull the pigtail for the timing, I looked around but couldn't find it so I didn't think it had it. Where is it located? What color wires?
Timing was set at 6* BTC. However, do you think that this is related to a timinig issue as this was a problem prior to changing the parts in the distributor?

I did use the "heater hose" to try to find the vacuum leak. It sounds like it's coming from the throttle body gasket. It whistles when the motor is running. I'm going to replace the gasket and will also let you know the outcome.

Hopefully, I'll get to these repairs in the next day or two.

Parts were purchased at two different suppliers.
1) Stamford Carburetor
2) ICP-International Car Parts

Parts were a mixture of Standard and AC Delco.
MAF and sensors were AC Delco
Cap, Rotar, Stator, Module were Standard

Looking back, I should stick with AC Delco, you agree?

Again,
Thanks for all your help.