updated: STE has started, brakes have stopped

[GutlessSupreme]

fresh '90 3.1 TGP rebuild, cranks but won't start. crank isn't always strong, it gets weak sometimes, I have it hooked up to my truck to jump it/keep the juice up.

-if I pull the fuel pump fuse, it cranks easier.
-rail pressure is 42 psi constant.
-it'll backfire/hiccup occasionally.
-all coils are firing (spark checker)
-pulled front 3 plugs, they were a little wet/sooty
-genesys scan tool wont connect via aldl
-tried starting fluid, too much caused it to backfire out the TB
-everything's connected
-new CPS, CTS, new knock sensor, plug wires, plugs,fuel filter
-cluster shows code 12
-completely drained old gas, couple of fresh gallons of 93 are in there now.

specs:
282 swap
24lb ford blue top injectors
crane 260
ls2 valve springs
custom 5 speed chip burned by Davis/Invision1

things I suspect:
bad ecm ground
icm timing off?
timing chain is off? the guys at the rebuild shop were kinda dumb
injectors flooding motor

[grinders_18]

Is the battery dead? LOL I could be wrong and hopefully I am, but maybe there's just not enough juice?

[GutlessSupreme]

I have it hooked up to my truck to jump it/keep the juice up.

truck is running/connection is good/cables are fine. although, it cranks easier when connected but with the truck off, for some reason.

[pontiac6ksteawd]

Pull the plugs, throw in some cheapys, just to get it started. To much fuel is what it sounds like to me, flooded..

[GutlessSupreme]

all the plug wires were on the wrong coil packs.

i swear to god i tripled checked.

[GOT2B GM]

LOL that'll do it

[mfewtrail]

So, it's running now Tony? :icon_mrgreen:

[meltboy11]

all the plug wires were on the wrong coil packs.

i swear to god i tripled checked.

oops :icon_idea:

[GutlessSupreme]

hehe... i was going to take it out for a quick spin around the neighborhood tonight, as i finally (i think) finished bleeding the brakes. but exhaust leak + ear piercing belt squeal + 11 pm + being blocked in by a pile of mulch kinda shut that plan down. i think i'll move the mulch and the morning and get a round-the-block video tomorrow.

[Prospeeder]

belt sqeal|? whats up with that?

[GutlessSupreme]

apparently the crank pulley wasn't tightened quite all the way, so the belt was a little misaligned and was rubbing on the sides off all the other pulleys.

so i took it for 2 10-15 minute drives today to get the motor a little broken in, just around the neighborhood. it runs pretty good. there's a loud knocking whenever i shift less-than-perfectly, i'm gonna have to jack it up and check the motor/tranny/subframe mounts and the intermediate shaft bracket. the spec stage 3 clutch isn't too bad, there's not much room to play with but i think part it may be because a rear caliper is locked up, so it just wouldn't go anywhere unless i gave it some gas. (=smoking brake pads all the way down the street)

the PM3 of course is acting up. I had 3 parts units and apparently I didn't choose a good combination. before I took it off the road, the pump motor would run absolutely nonstop. now it runs for at least two minutes every 1-2 pedal presses, which i guess is better but not really. I don't see any leaks, and I doubt i have all of the air out of the system. however about 15 minutes into my second run the pedal went rock hard, so i decided it was probably time to baby it home. going to have to check into that. i don't know if it had anything to do with the rear caliper being locked up. the rear portion of the reservoir was almost empty when i came back, but i didn't relieve the accumulator pressure before i checked either.

I think it's the accumulator that's the problem. it turns off eventually so I wouldn't think the pressure switch or relay are causing it. hopefully it's not a cracked rear housing. both ABS and Brake lights have been coming on. sometimes the ABS flashes, sometimes it's solid.

[TGP Nick]

It sounds like you have a lot of air in your brake system- bleed it down really good!  That fixed it for me!  Oh yeah it sounds like your accumulator is going too.  Also, check the little aluminum block next to your fuel filter- they have a tendency to leak.... make sure that isn't leaking, because that could also be where all of your rear brake fluid is going.

[GOT2B GM]

It drives again!!!!!!

[GutlessSupreme]

rear passenger side brake line popped. i put more fluid in the rear half of the reservoir and let the pump run... 1 minute.. 2 minutes... 3 minutes.. finally i shut it off and poked around. big puddle dripping off the rear control arm center support. hopefully that's my only problem. that should explain why the pedal went rock hard - no accumulator charge!

I haven't tackled any of the rust issues in the rear yet, but it looks like i will be sooner than I thought. I'd already bought a new fuel filler neck, mine was almost wasted away. I think I'm just going to replace both rear lines from the proportioning valve back. looks like i'm also doing the '94+ upgrade sonner than I'd planned.

[GutlessSupreme]

shitty pics











needs a wash/touch up/buff/wax/polish BADLY. still have to finish with the hood. it's getting there though, besides the damn brakes. though when i was dicking around with the shifter trying to get the boot on, it seems like the cables are getting hung up really bad on something. another thing i have to examine.

i'm pretty sure i'm gonna keep those wheels on there, but with this treatment: (a little more completed and less destroyed)



black inserts with polished face/lip. i think that's how the RPE GPs were (cept not black).