Replaced the battery connector hacks with a pair of proper connectors that attach a Euro-style battery (terminals on top) to US-style wires. Cleaned up all the terminals & connectors.
Replaced the ground cable from the battery to the engine block.
Opened and re-tightened the TBI mounting bolts to correct torque (22 Nm).
The coolant fan switch cable is disconnected (and covered with tape), since I don't have the new connector yet. I tried grounding the wire (with the engine off, battery connected). As I understand this should have started the fan, but it didn't.
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Nothing has changed. The car starts well when it's cold, but after 10-15 minutes, it starts to choke violently and the engine dies off. All coolant and engine temperature look normal in WinALDL.
2013-05-14
8th spark plug replaced, knock ^H^H^H^H coolant fan switch connector damaged
I finally managed to lift the car up and replace the cursed #8 spark plug. Now all plugs are new AC Delco R45TS gapped at 0.89 - 0.99 mm. Of course #1 - #7 are half a year and a few 100 km older, but you can't have everything.
While I was working on this, I tried to inspect the knock sensor coolant fan switch connector that lives near the #8 plug. The plastic around the connector simply shattered into pieces before I could detach the wire. I was left with just the connector's metal pin hanging from the wire.
Update: apparently that wasn't the knock sensor, but the sensor that controls the coolant fan. The connectors are nearly identical though...
It's surprising how bristle that connector is, knowing it's subjected to temperatures between -30 and +100 or even more, water, grime, etc.
New connector, knock sensor and knock sensor module (ESC) are on their way. Due to the transport costs from the US to Europe, it's always cheaper to order more parts at once.
While I was working on this, I tried to inspect the
Update: apparently that wasn't the knock sensor, but the sensor that controls the coolant fan. The connectors are nearly identical though...
It's surprising how bristle that connector is, knowing it's subjected to temperatures between -30 and +100 or even more, water, grime, etc.
New connector, knock sensor and knock sensor module (ESC) are on their way. Due to the transport costs from the US to Europe, it's always cheaper to order more parts at once.
2013-05-12
Battery terminals cleaned
Took apart the US-eur adapter in the positive battery terminal and cleaned it.
I also replaced the positive battery connectors in the junction block next to the battery that connects the battery, charger output, (???) fuse and a 4th wire with a fusible link.
Cleaned up some of the cables.
Cleaned and reattached the battery -> chassis ground cable.
I also replaced the positive battery connectors in the junction block next to the battery that connects the battery, charger output, (???) fuse and a 4th wire with a fusible link.
Cleaned up some of the cables.
Cleaned and reattached the battery -> chassis ground cable.
Golan fuel filter cleaned
I cleaned the fuel filter.
Most junk was around the small metal screen on the intake side, even though this stuff looks like is fine enough to pass that screen. I guess due to the diagonal installation position, the stuff slowly drips off the main filter screen and collects on these edges.
Another shot of the intake side
Exit side looks clean, except...
For these particles under the O-ring. So apparently these particles are small enough to pass the filter.
I soaked the filter screen in paint thinner & rinsed it under running water, but I didn't see any dirt coming off it.
All assembled, including the pipe fittings
Mounting point
Most junk was around the small metal screen on the intake side, even though this stuff looks like is fine enough to pass that screen. I guess due to the diagonal installation position, the stuff slowly drips off the main filter screen and collects on these edges.
Another shot of the intake side
Exit side looks clean, except...
For these particles under the O-ring. So apparently these particles are small enough to pass the filter.
I soaked the filter screen in paint thinner & rinsed it under running water, but I didn't see any dirt coming off it.
All assembled, including the pipe fittings
Mounting point
Videos
A couple of videos demonstrating the problem. On idle, but the symptoms look the same on the highway as well.
91 Firebird TBI, bad idle, starting w/ charger off
91 Firebird TBI, bad idle, starting w/ charger off, w/ EST bypass
(not embedding the clips because loading them would take forever)
91 Firebird TBI, bad idle, starting w/ charger off
91 Firebird TBI, bad idle, starting w/ charger off, w/ EST bypass
(not embedding the clips because loading them would take forever)
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