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Automotive/1990 Camaro RS, 6 cyl.

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Expert: - 3/18/2009


Question
I was driving my 1990 Camaro around town, headed home, pulled onto street where I live at low idle speed and the car died. The car won't start now. Battery is fully charged, alternator is good, tried spare key with same negative results, lights work, all accessories work, fuel pump comes on when key is turned to start. Car won't start. What is your recommendation. Thank you for your help.

Answer
There are a few too many electrical and mechanical variables here to allow one in a remote seat to be of much help on specifics.  However, any problem with an engine that stalls and then won't start usually comes down to either fuel delivery problem or an electrical signal or power problem to the engine's controls.  

You might pull a plug lead and see if you get a spark on attempted start-up; if you don't, then the problem would most likely be electrical.  If you do, then I would check into a blockage in the fuel system.  Fuel filter replacement is a regular preventative-maintenance item.  Too, the car is old enough that there could be debris or gumming issues in the tank, blocking the fuel pick-up strainer.

You probably won't have to dig too far to find the problem.

Happy hunting ... EGK

rev01:  in regard to pulling a plug lead - if you are not experienced with test procedure of this type, the safest method by which to do this is a "hands-off" method.  

The first does not involve pulling the plug lead, but simply involves bring a capacitively-coupled neon lamp equipped spark tester into near proximity of each of several leads.  The presence of usable spark voltage will light the tester every time that plug lead is fired while the engine is turning over.  

A second method might be to use an open-spark tester, a device shaped like a spark plug, but fitted with an alligator clip that will allow it to be clipped securely to any metal bracket on the engine, SAFELY AWAY from section where fuel fumes might become present as the engine turns over.  A plug lead is removed from a plug and plugged onto this tester.  A healthy spark should be seen in its gap whenever that plug lead fires as the engine is turned over.  This is a simple method, but requires the caution that comes of reasonable experience.

The first is the recommended method for the less or inexperienced.

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Ernest (Ernie) Kenward

Expertise

The challenges I most enjoy are thoughtful technical questions of a trouble-shooting nature in both electrical, power electronic and mechanical systems, mainly automotive but also machine control and small-machine PLC applications. Please note, however, that I am NOT a walking shop manual! I DO, however, make it a point to have those manuals and other service literature for those vehicles I DO own, and highly recommend that anyone serious about maintenance or modification of their vehicles do the same; MOST of your answers WILL be found there. For that matter, I do NOT go out of my way to acquire shop manuals for any vehicle I do NOT own! That being the case, any general query to me along the lines of "What is the meaning of this code read from the ECU of my 2015 XYZ?" or "Where is the fuse for the windshield washer pump found?" (try your car's electrical distribution panel for a start!) will not go far. What I do offer is a pretty good collection of literature, insights and hands-on experience with 1950s to 1980's Ford products (plus a developing database of information and practice with the Mercedes diesel cars), along with an engineering perspective and the ability to design and implement custom control, electrical and mechanical subsystems for vehicles. For that reason, I am happy to make my thoughts and efforts available to those who are of like mind and/or are seriously making a point of learning about their vehicles. Use the Opportunity to Learn!

Experience

A key skill in my work and hobby pursuits both is STRATEGIC TROUBLESHOOTING. I am a senior instructor in Electrical Engineering Technology at a leading Canadian polytechnic, my areas being Electrical Power and Industrial Control, electrical and electronics design and manufacturing, and AutoCAD and related CAD/CAE software - plus equipment problem-solving and new equipment design and prototyping. Hobby-wise, I have 30-plus years of experience in auto restoration, mostly in electrical and mechanical systems. Ongoing projects include a 1959 Edsel Corsair, my 1978 Ford E250 class-B motorhome conversion, and the care and upkeep of my Mercedes 300CD. My vehicles become engineering test beds for electrical and mechanical upgrades as ideas present themselves. This includes the design and production of circuit boards to restore or enhance features for which no OEM replacement parts are obtainable, or where better specifications or reliability can be had via newer concepts. Regarding the E250 RV conversion, I designed and continue to revise a custom power distribution system, managed by a Programmable Controller (PLC); this has made most revisions as easy as uploading new firmware as I develop it. The "mini" PLC is a powerful device for custom automotive control systems. One good example (there are many) would be the Moeller "Easy Relay"; these offer a wealth of control, monitoring and variable-and-status display options for such projects. A good example project which has worked well is that one for my RV noted above, which has been on the job - revised in firmware only - for a decade now. It is a load management and charging control system to avoid the sulfation-induced early failure that often befalls deep-cycle batteries used in RV power applications. The battery installed in 2003 lasted long enough to more tnan pay for the PLC that contributed to its longer life ... and the PLC will be there for the next battery as well!

Organizations
IEEE - senior member ... past WCC Student Activities; SME - senior member ... past chair, greater Vancouver chapter chair 318; Edsel Owners' Club - have served in various capacities on chapter executive during seventies; have been Power and Driveline resource on the Edsel Owners' Club "E-team" for more than a decade.

Education/Credentials
Graduate of UBC

Awards and Honors
Certificates of appreciation from IEEE and SME for work in student and chapter activities

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