I've got an 88 vert non-turbo that has been sitting for about a year. It ran perfectly before I stoped driving it now when it starts it shuts down after about 10 seconds. I'm not a mechanic, please help!!

 

vac leak or mis-adjusted TPS

 

what's a TPS I'm not a mechanic but I've done tuns of light work on regular piston engines but this is really weird to me I'm thinking about getting rid of it if I can't get it going. Now on top of everything I get no power, nothing lights up. I'm guesing wire to main fuse block or cable to battery but I haven't had time to check. Is this thing worth keeping.

 

The tps wouldn't have gotten itself out of adjustment from sitting for a year so disregard that. It might more likely be stale gas in the tank. Either add a few gallons of fresh gas or drain the old gas out (drain plug on bottom of tank) refill with fresh and recheck. Also turn the key to the on position and wiggle the battery cables near the battery and see if you start getting power. If so then clean the cable ends or replace them.

 

I would be more inclined to look for something that might change by itself from sitting for a year. Since, you have made no adjustments or changes. Not sure if the TPS falls into that category or not but you need to trace power and fuel from source to the engine and find out where one of them is stopping.

My guess is either the fuel pump is bad or has a bad wire connection or maybe your fuel filter (or fuel line) is clogged.

I have a '88 vert and I really like it.

 

TPS = Throttle Position Sensor

 

OkHow about this one. My 12 year old son was helping me work on my car & reversed the battery cables we didn't try to start the car but he did hear a pop. What could of burned up & where should I start looking, Main fuses, wires ?????

 

If you are lucky, it will just be the main fuse (which is bolted in, not a slide in).

If you are unlucky, it could be every computer in the car can be blown from hooking up the battery backwards.

 

Ok replaced fuses & fuel filter today still same problem car starts then shuts right down. How do I check the fuel pump?

 

it's not TPS

i suspect fuel issue

there is a jumper terminal by the MAP sensor

if you connect it it will bypass afm and fuel pump relay and it will keep supplying fuel.

please refer to FSM for more info.

 

Check the air intake boot between the throttle body and air flow meter for rips or large cracks. You may have to remove the boot to see a split in it. If there are any air leaks in the boot, the flap inside the AFM won't be open enough at idle to keep the fuel pump contacts closed. Also remove the gas cap and with someone cranking the engine, listen for the fuel pump noise. If the pump gets quiet just before the engine dies then it's losing voltage from the relay or AFM.

 

Yes It Is A Fuel Problem. The Old Gas Needs To Be Drained Or Burned Off. First Put Clean Gas. Then Keep Your Foot On The Gas And Hold It At 2000 Rpm. It Might Take A Week Or Two Of Driving It For It To Run Normal But Just Keep Running It Intill The Old Gas Cleans Out Completely. After That It Should Run Fine.