I have a 91 si with a d16 sohc in it. It cranks over hard, but does fire. Then it will stay running for about 3 seconds and then die. Even if I am in the car holding the gas, it will still die and shut off. I am not quite sure what it could be, any suggestions?

Thanks

 

check your battery and alternate charge. enough fuel?

 

Yeah, it's getting fuel. I charged the battery overnight. I was thinking alternator, but hoping not.

Smash

 

If your headlights brighten and dim then it's your battery or alternator. You throwing any CELs?

 

Man that **** happened to me, I went through all of the regular problems, fuel, fuel pressure, spark, etc. Well I got spark, but when I popped the Dist cap just to check things out the rotor screw was missing and the rotor was only catching enough to start the motor then it would die. I looked around the dist. and on the bottom magnets, I found the screw! Put it back together and no probs.

 

Throwing no codes, but will check the distributor.

Thanks

 

When you first turn the key to 'ON', can you hear the fuel pump run for the second or two that the CEL lights up? If not, check the main relay.

 

Yeah, the fuel pump runs. I was thinking alternator, but the lights stay on bright and never dim. I know the starters going bad, but it still starts, I just need to know what's making it die.

Smash

 

check engine light? pull the passenger carpet down, check for flashing CEL L.E.D.

if not, then distributor would be my next stop, clogged fuel filter, if you hear the pump priming, double check you have gas in there. i know its been said but that was it for me when i had the same symptoms once.

was this motor running ok before, did you have it apart for any reason? because then your timing could be an issue.

for that 3 seconds does it sound ok?

its prolly your dizzy. or clogged/not firing injector. thats my guess.

 

It is throwing no codes. The car started up fine 3 days ago. I didn't try starting it for a few days and when I went to start it again this is what happened. It ran and drove fine. That's why it's so weird. It is getting fuel. I checked the timing and it's on. When the car does start up for those 3 seconds it sounds perfectly normal.

Smash

 

Any more suggestions?

Thanks

 

sounds most def like a fuel problem to me. Even though you said that the fuel pump was turning on doesnt mean its working properly when the car actually starts.

 

pull your fuel rail and injectors off. Leave the injectors in the fuel rail, have someone turn the key for a few seconds and make sure all injectors are spraying full. SOmething like this happened to me when I converted to MPFI, and the problem was 2 clogged injectors

 

Thanks for all the helps guys. I'll keep you posted.