Will not start after replacing the fuel pump

Tiny
MWL195ZLT1
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 CHEVROLET CAMARO
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Car listed above is a Z28 LT1 with rebuilt 4L60e a bunch of new parts, but these seem pertinent: new heads, injectors, plugs and wires, distributor, Opti spark, timing chain, ICM, coil, battery, starter, fuel pump-255LPH High Performance In-tank Fuel Pump from UltimateComponents. Anyway, I drove it into the garage to change the fuel pump which only had max 35PSI at key on. Now it won't start. Double checked all the wiring at the pump. It just turns over and over and over. Put a battery booster on it to ensure good spark. No spark to plugs. Fuel rail at key is now 50PSI. At a loss to proceed. Thanks for listening.
Monday, December 20th, 2021 AT 7:07 PM

26 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

If there is no spark, have you confirmed there is power to the coil? At the distributor, the connector should have a red wire. With the key in the run or start position, that wire should have power.

Here is a link you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

I'm struggling to connect the fuel pump replacement causing this, but we'll figure it out.

Let me know about the power to the coil. Also, if you have a live data scanner, see if there is an RPM signal when cranking.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Monday, December 20th, 2021 AT 9:03 PM
Tiny
MWL195ZLT1
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There is power at the coil with key on. I do not have a scanner. There is power at the injectors. I am going to check all the grounds to neg terminal next, maybe that will turn up something. I get a fuel filter today and will install it. I haven't tested for any vacuum as I can't imagine it would prevent spark. Thanks again
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Tuesday, December 21st, 2021 AT 7:01 AM
Tiny
MWL195ZLT1
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Oh, there is no security light lit on dash.
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Tuesday, December 21st, 2021 AT 7:02 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

I attached a couple of pics below that you may find helpful. One other thought. Did you check the 10 amp fuse in the under-hood fuse box (fuse 11) that is specific to the ignition? Also, have you checked the ignition control module?

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below. Also, pic 3 shows the fuse I'm referring to. When checking, make sure there is power both to the fuse and from it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse
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Tuesday, December 21st, 2021 AT 1:53 PM
Tiny
MWL195ZLT1
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Fuses are all good and reseated. The ICM is brand new but put the old one back in just in case, but no change, just a continuing turnover. There is spark going to the coil but none out! Testing negative post and one on the positive post of the coil results in 1.5ohms. Put the old coil back just to try. Checking both from side terminal and one in the center high tension terminal gives just above 8k ohms. One change has occurred when the key is turned on - security lights up and then goes out and the check engine light stays on. I borrowed a reader. I plugged it in and turned the key on. The reader goes through a self-check, checks the VIN and starts counting in percentages, quitting at 50% and displaying error message that it cannot continue - no other message. I am truly stumped. I got the PCM (flashed to my VIN) from FlashMasters off eBay. When I got it, plugged it in and the car fired right up, took it for a 10-15 minute ride and noticed the car did not get up to power and idled rough and would shut off. Pulled into the garage waiting on the new fuel pump. After the fuel pump was installed is when it wouldn't start. Stumped!
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Tuesday, December 21st, 2021 AT 2:57 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Just for the heck of it, take the distributor cap off and have someone crank the engine. See if the rotor moves. Also, resistance seems high on the coil. If I recall, 1 ohm should be max.

Also, take a look at the three pics below. Each one is a different diagnostic flow chart. Each of these three codes can cause a no-start condition due to spark.

You are certain the fuel pump is running, correct?

Let me know if that helps in any way.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Tuesday, December 21st, 2021 AT 4:20 PM
Tiny
MWL195ZLT1
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Distributor moves okay with the key and pressure at rail is 50PSI and holds. I will run down the DTCs in the morning. Thanks
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Tuesday, December 21st, 2021 AT 4:49 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

You are very welcome. Hang in there. We'll get it going.

Take care,

Joe
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Tuesday, December 21st, 2021 AT 5:13 PM
Tiny
MWL195ZLT1
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Tried a different reader and it quit after 50%, so I am returning the PCM and having them send another. They will diagnose the return and let me know what went wrong, etc. Will post more later. Oh we installed the steering column with the correct nr 9 resistor key, and it made no difference. Another pointer that its the PCM VATS failure.
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Wednesday, December 22nd, 2021 AT 6:33 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

It sounds like you are on the right track. Let me know what happens. I'm really interested in knowing.

Take care and I hope you have a great Christmas.

Joe
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Wednesday, December 22nd, 2021 AT 9:23 PM
Tiny
MWL195ZLT1
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The flashmaster tech says my friends Hypertech device is not a reader but a programmer and must be defective as the PCM I returned no longer responds. Waiting on the new PCM. Will update later.
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Friday, December 24th, 2021 AT 10:15 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

I'm not really familiar with Hypertech, but I do know they make programmers.

Regardless, let me know if that takes care of it. I'm interested in knowing.

Take care,

Joe
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Friday, December 24th, 2021 AT 4:03 PM
Tiny
MWL195ZLT1
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Will do.
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Saturday, December 25th, 2021 AT 10:38 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

I noticed it has been a couple of days since I heard from you. Have you been able to make any progress or tied up due to the holiday? LOL

Just checking in to see if you need anything.

Take care,

Joe
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Monday, December 27th, 2021 AT 2:40 PM
Tiny
MWL195ZLT1
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
I got the new PCM today. Connected it and turned the key on only to get a solid security light (not blinking). Went ahead and tried to turn it over. No fire. Disconnected the battery. Waited five minutes and tried again. This time it fired right up, started it down the driveway to ease it around for 20 minutes as Chevrolet suggests for the PCM to set. Halfway down the driveway I had to give it a little gas to avoid bogging down in the sand - it quit as soon as I actuated the gas pedal and would not refire. Towed it home, washed my hands and sat stupefied and sent you this. The resistor on the original key was 2.8ohms. The key set was lost by the last owner who had a 2.8 resistor inline from the ignition to the PCM, which we were previous to the gas pump exchange firing a-okay. So, with the new PCM which was flashed to the VIN of the vehicle, could the imbedded resistor setting be different than before making the 2.8 inline resistor incorrect? Too many things for my pea brain.
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Monday, December 27th, 2021 AT 4:58 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

They can be confusing. Also, anytime people modify things, it usually leads to problems.

So, I need you to try something. Turn the key to the run position so the security light turns on. Allow it to sit for approximately 10 minutes. Does the light turn off and will the vehicle then start?

Let me know. Also, you were worried about getting stuck in the sand. I wish I lived there. LOL

Take care,

Joe
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Monday, December 27th, 2021 AT 7:34 PM
Tiny
MWL195ZLT1
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Oh, the sunshine and 77 degrees will make for an excellent round today. Got a list of the keys numbered with their ohms. Will go up the chart an try all settings. I have already got through to 3.0. Will post later.
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Wednesday, December 29th, 2021 AT 8:27 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

I noticed it has been a couple of days since I heard from you. Have you been able to make any progress? I'm interested in knowing.

I hope you have a great New Year!

Joe
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Friday, December 31st, 2021 AT 9:45 PM
Tiny
MWL195ZLT1
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Weekend off to the beach. Just got back. Will update tomorrow night about getting a VATS and PCM from a 95 Z28 that got sandwiched broadside, but still starts every time. My friend is going to pull everything from the wreck while I pull it from my car.
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Saturday, January 1st, 2022 AT 4:14 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Sounds like a plan. I hope you had a good time at the beach.

Take care,

Joe
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Saturday, January 1st, 2022 AT 10:34 PM

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