Ya really gotta just start with the basics, at this point. Check for fuel, air, and spark...all at the right time, in the right amounts. Hard starting, dying after start, and stalling, kinda points to either fuel or ignition.

How was the ignition module tested? Was it hot or cold when tested? Those modules can test fine cold, but fail miserably when they start warming up. It may start and get you down the road, then flake out...you never know.

Has anyone checked/tested the pole piece/pick up coil in the distributor? The wiring to that little dude is pretty fragile, and it will deteriorate just because of where it is. Moving the wiring around to remove/replace the ignition module can cause problems for the pick-up wiring....check that very carefully for ANYthing that looks abnormal.

Have you checked the actual fuel pressure, both before and after starting?



(dam spelchek!)


|UPDATED|12/17/2012 11:03:54 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Yep, ^^^

The backfire in the intake, and  hard-start seems like fuel pressure (pump). How DIY'rs can own and work on an EFI equipped engine without owning a fuel pressure gauge is beyond my comprehension. It's the second thing I check on an EFIU no-start. (The first thing is listening for the pump to run at key-on).


I purchased a very clean Syclone this past weekend that will sell in the 10K range for $4,500 because the guy gave up on it after three years of trying to get it to run after a fuel pump change. I knew what was wrong with it before I even went to see it. I had it running 30 minutes after getting it 'home'. The gauge said 9psi, and it has to be 40psi to start.  He was given a TBI low pressure pump instead of the hi-pressure PFI pump. The VIN for a Syclone is the same as a TBI engine. If a FLAPS uses the VIN to select the pump for a Syclone, you get the wrong one. If the guy had checked the fuel pressure (knowing what to look for), he would have been driving his truck the past 3 years, and not 'given it away' out of frustration.

Anyone want to buy a clean Syclone?


|UPDATED|12/21/2012 9:18:09 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|