my car has been down for about 6 months now.I am almost certain it is a wiring problem.It started buy popping ignition fuses under the hood occasionally. And When i would drive it sometimes the battery gauge would drop and almost kill the car if i reved the engine it would come back up. The car would start with starter fluid and would idle around 3000 rpm will not drop below that. Now the car wont start at all and when we hook the code reader up to it, it says the key is not in the on position or the computer is bad the reader basically will not read the car. Everything on the car is new and i mean everything except wiring. The computer i tried replacing it. i have about 3 different coils distributers\optis and ignition modules on the car and the starter is new and still not working. i have not found and burnt wires from the headers. The only thing i was thinking was a wire was pulled loose when the motor was pulled and it finally went. I know this is confusing to read it is also confusing to explain. Any help would be appriciated. I miss my baby 93 z28 the car does have 95 and up opti on it

 

Have you check the OPTI harness????????

 

I hear ya man, I hate chasing electrical crap. So does it only start when you put starting fluid in the t/b?. Are you getting spark and fuel?

 

no not the opti harness i have a spare one of that also no go. It did start with starting fluid and stay running just at 3000 rpm . now wont start no matter what. Yes i am geting 45 psi fuel and yes it is getting spark. Thanks for the responses

 

Does it crank over?
If not, have you checked the ignition switch at the base of the steering column? It is a known problem on these cars (and yes I've had to replace mine and it is a pain in the butt). Also check all the ground wires as they tend to corrode over time - clean them and re-attach.
Does it have spark when cranked?

Have you checked for vacum leaks? The won't run below 3000 sounds like a HUGE vacum leak - check the brake booster hose, the PCV hose, and the air intake elbow.

 

As for the problem reading the PCM, check the CIG/ACCY fuse. If it pops, you can't pull data from the PCM. Sounds kinda like you have a ground problem. Are you sure the engine is grounded to the chassis?

 

I have been over every ground and battery cable and starter cables. i forgot to ad that there is a ticking or popping sound from under the dash when the key is in the on condition. it will crank. I was kinda thinking the ignition switch myself lately. is there a way to check the ignition switch. Would this cause my voltage to go haywire when it would run. It is to the point of just throwing parts on it and hope for the best. if it comes to that the ignition switch will defintly be first. Yes it has spark when cranked.

 

Sounds like a loose or bad ground, but you say that was checked already.

Is the neg cable jumped to a good clean chassis ground, like the factory location near the positive bulkhead over the passenger fender?

 

i have been over the grounds probally a 100 times that what i origanally thought. Yes checked all the connections on the fender i had that problem on my s10 so it was the first spot i started.

 

If you have another battery, swap it in and see what happens. If the battery is internally flaky, it might do weird things like this.

Just a thought.

 

not battery tried 3 different one and wont jump just cranks

 

Wow. If I were in your position, I would be about ready to take a hammer to the car. I got to this point once in the past and creaked open my wallet to let Mr. Goodwrench "have his way" with me. It cost me a bit but I had a working car when I was done being violated.

 

yes i am about to take a hammer to it. Thats why i am posting in here. I dont think mr goodwrench would work on my car due to no emissions and long tubes. I have tried everything listed so i figured maybe i was missing something but so far the post are everything i have tried. I am going to try the ingnition switch for one last hope. I heard if it was bad the car woulnt crank thats why i havent tried it yet cause my car cranks.

 

Is your car cammed? You dont state this, I see you have most bolt-ons, just wondering if your car is cammed. My 93 would barely hiccup when attempting to start on a stock tune, XE230/236.

 

yes i have a hotcam and it is tuned for it. I live in tulsa ok so the tune of course is a ed wright tune. mods are all the boltons free mods hotcam with 1.6 roller rockers and the valve springs and .020 over pistons.spec stage three clutch. weld draglights with m/t dragradials and m/t skinnies the tires and wheels are brand new. pacesetter long tubes with off road y pipe. The motor has under 2000 miles on it. i know this isnt as radical as some but would love to drive it again and i do have a lot of money invested in it. and if ever get going again some 4.11s and some spray a 100 shot of coarse.