91 No Start, Sputters & Stalls.. Help!

[Prof Bob]

I was reading another thread on a stall, but mine is slightly different.

It sat in the garage all night, ran fine last night. This morning, I cranked to get my kid to school, and it sputtered and stalled. Tried that half a dozen times and gave up.

After lunch, and I tried it again, same thing. The funny thing is that if I rapidly and furiously pump the gas pedal at start-up, I can make it run and keep running (as long as my leg can keep pumping), albeit revving up to 2000 rpm, then down to a sputter and back up again! The minute I take my foot off the pedal it will stall. With the key on, I can hear the fuel pump buzzing. The tank is full of gas. Sometimes when I crank and it stalls, I can hear a pop through the air cleaner (I think) - its definitely not through the exhaust.

Edit: No Check Engine light if I leave the key "on" (engine stalled).

Some history, it got a brand new fuel pump / filter last year about this time, I changed the air filter about two months ago, and it has had regular oil changes.

Any thing you guys want me to try, let me know - I'd like some direction before I start yanking things! Thanks!

[Ronnie]

Have you entered diagnostics mode and checked for ECM codes?

What year is your car?

[D-a-n-i-e-l]

There is no 92 Reattas, and it you have one how much do you want for it. Just kidding.

OK you have what sounds to be a spark issue. But to be sure you need to check for fuel pressure at the fuel rail. If you do not have a fuel pressure gauge, and are a bit daring you can depress the fuel pressure check valve with a small stiff object. (that will get some comments) I really suggest a fuel pressure gauge, there like $20-$30 dollars.

Next we need to check for spark. You can do the old ground out the plug wire or buy a $5 tester from you local parts store.

From what you are describing I put my first bet on the spark.

[Prof Bob]

I can get a fuel pressure gauge to try, will see if this does anything. Thanks. Yes, a '91, not '92.... My bad.

[padgett]

Pumping the throttle to keep running and not idling was something I recently saw on a Fiero through did not fix (was for sale but owner did not like the offer). It did have a broad range of trouble codes.

No idle makes it difficult to get readings but get what you can. I *suspect* the problem is a bad sensor (MAF, IAT, CT, O2, etc.)and may show up even with the engine not running. Check out the TPS using the on board scanning ability.

I would also suggest unplugging the MAF sensor and see if it will idle.

[Prof Bob]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: padgett</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Pumping the throttle to keep running and not idling was something I recently saw on a Fiero through did not fix (was for sale but owner did not like the offer). It did have a broad range of trouble codes.

No idle makes it difficult to get readings but get what you can. I *suspect* the problem is a bad sensor (MAF, IAT, CT, O2, etc.)and may show up even with the engine not running. Check out the TPS using the on board scanning ability.

I would also suggest unplugging the MAF sensor and see if it will idle. </div></div>

Thanks for the advice. The MAF sensor connector looked corroded, so I cleaned it up, and once back together it fired right up. That seems to have fixed it! Thanks again.