Chevy TBI Nightmare

highrolrcustoms · Jan 21, 2014

Went to start the jeep to make sure everything was up and working and it wont start....just cranks..... when I turn the key on..fuel pump doesn't turn on and the plugs aren't getting any spark. I ran a jumper wire from battery and was able to get fuel pump to turn on but the injectors aren't spraying while cranking. and I have no idea on the spark...the wiring is a nightmare.... any ideas.... my guess is the fuel pump and no spark are related in a wiring issue but I don't even know where to begin to look. The jeep was running about a year ago but not started since.

its a late 80s tbi unit on a sbc 350 in a yj. fuel tank is a RCI2161a fuel cell with yj pump mounted in it.

any opinions on the holley truck avenger offroad carbs? I though about swapping intakes and bolting on this carb and being done with the wiring nightmare.

here is a video of the carb in action
https://www.holley.com/0-90670.asp

Metal Head · Jan 21, 2014

Sounds like the ignition module, I had a late 80's Chevy truck and had to change that damn thing at least once a month because I would have no fuel and no spark constantly.

Elliott · Jan 21, 2014

I've been playing with a truck avenge on my buggy, it's doing pretty good but still isn't fuel injection, the whole trick to making these carbs work is fuel pressure I'm only running 3 1/2 lbs right now and it's doing good I was running 6 and it was terrible. But if you could get the fuel injection straightened out that's how I would stay.

al1tonyota · Jan 21, 2014

That's kinda like saying I'm gonna just pull it with a horse? :wtflol:

it sounds like you just need to get someone that knows this fuel injection to look at it and possibly rewire it? If you plan on drag racing or just driving it on the street a carb will be fine!

Naughty_Finger · Jan 21, 2014

That JUST happened to a friend of mine with his jeep ( TBI 350 out of a 90's truck ). When it was on the trailer it ran GREAT.. backed off the trailer, drove to the trail head and it died 100 feet from the gate. We trouble shot the crap out of it... fuel pump didn't kick on but it cranked. It also had no spark. Needless to say it was pulled back to camp and spend the weekend as an observer. Once we got it back home he found the problem was just a fuse. I suggest going through ALL your fuses and checking them before you go silly replacing parts and swapping wires. If it worked, sat then suddenly don't work again then it could VERY easily be a fuse. I would love to direct you to which fuse but I am sure your wiring does not match the rat's nest in his jeep.

muddinmetal · Jan 21, 2014

Metal Head said:
Sounds like the ignition module, I had a late 80's Chevy truck and had to change that damn thing at least once a month because I would have no fuel and no spark constantly.

X2

BUG-E J · Jan 21, 2014

Buy a carb intake and propane if you not wantin over 350 horses.

erpp · Jan 21, 2014

BUG-E J said:
Buy a carb intake and propane if you not wantin over 350 horses.

. Agree. Then you can get rid of your wiring mess ..Easy and It just plane works!

John Galbreath Jr. · Jan 21, 2014

I had bad luck with the Truck Avenger carb years ago. IMO, carbs have no business in this sport.

fordf250 · Jan 21, 2014

Buddy of mine just had the same problem last week and it was the module.

muddinmetal · Jan 21, 2014

fordf250 said:
Buddy of mine just had the same problem last week and it was the module.

He ain't listening :****:

RustyC · Jan 21, 2014

Do you have switched and unswitched power to the ECU? Orange and pink wires in the harness if I remember right. A blown fuse between the power and the ECU will shut everything off.

highrolrcustoms · Jan 21, 2014

thanks for all the responses. im gona mess with it some more tonight and if that don't fix it....ill propane it.

grcthird · Jan 21, 2014

The ignition module shouldn't have anything to do with the fuel pump not turning on, or injectors not firing. All that is controlled by the computer. See if the ECM has power with the key on. Also check check your ground wires and fuses. I may can get you a diagram tomorrow.

highrolrcustoms · Jan 21, 2014

ok........got it running... connected 12v wire directly from battery to pink/black wire, then connected a 12v wrire directly to the large pink wire on the coil and it started..... now I know I cant leave it like this but at least it started..... how should I wire it up? toggle switch :dunno:

RustyC · Jan 21, 2014

Good news glad it's running.
ECU need to be hooked directly to 12 v on the orange wire.
The pink/black wire to the ECU needs to be switched from the key.
Both need to be fused.

Wired like this. The fuel pump will only run when the key is on.

If you roll over just kill the engine with the key and fuel pump shuts off too. :dblthumb:

If you don't have a key switch then toggle switches will be needed.

mrdrinksalil · Jan 21, 2014

Yeah the pink black should be on a 10a fuse and ign on power. Big pink wire should ign on 12v from the ign switch.

Everything you'll ever need to know about TBI is here.

http://www.binderplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?s=96321929a37dfdaa7c0fe0548d4c5c99&t=47254

I got sick of these little issues and went to propane. So few things to go wrong. So far so good

highrolrcustoms · Jan 22, 2014

yeah im starting to realize the headaches!!!

what kind of set up does everyone run for propane? I know gotpropane.com has some kits but whats everyone using.