major problem!!

[jmeti000]

k... 76 280z fuel injected... turns over and actually starts for about 2-3 sec. and then dies. dont know the technical term but its backfireing out the intake (think that means its lean???) however i have checked the fuel pressure and there is tons going to the engine. the tank has been cleaned, new fuel pump, filter, and injectors, and did a tune up with new plugs, wires, cap and rotor, just 2 days ago. the dang thing ran fine to the store, and when i came out as soon as i turned the key it started doing this just literally at the drop of a hat and now its stuck there....could it possibly the distributor?? i checked all the fuses, and such and there is nothing different, broke or changed from before... any help???

thankyou,

jacqui

[jmeti000]

oh, all the vaccum lines are new as well....

[sblake01]

What's the condition of your temperature sensor and it's connection?

[hls30.com]

Double check for major vacuum leaks-in the intake tubing, maybe in replacing the small vacuum lines you bumped a loose connection on the big stuf and now it is allowing a leak past the AFM.

Will

[Mpower280z]

Coolant Temp Switch. Unplug your coolant temp wires and see what happenes. If that doesnt wok, pull the plugs for inspecion.

[jmeti000]

ok, pulled the plug off the coolant temp sensor, and what do you know it started...so i replaced the sensor.... however i also figured out that the vacuum diaphram on my distributor doesnt work anymore... what exactly does that do? and could that be why it still runs a lil rough??

[DRBall]

It should control the vacuum advance for the timing on the distributor ,if it's torn you need a new one....One reason why I hate any EFI car....That and chasing worn out sensors etc....

[sblake01]

You might want to check inside your distributor and make sure the mechanism that the arm on the vaccum advance moves isn't somehow crudded up or siezed.

[beandip]

ok, pulled the plug off the coolant temp sensor, and what do you know it started...so i replaced the sensor.... however i also figured out that the vacuum diaphram on my distributor doesnt work anymore... what exactly does that do? and could that be why it still runs a lil rough??

The vacuum advance provides about 6 or so degrees of advance for low end performance then the centrifugal advance takes over. I don't know if your '76 dist has the same type of advance ''breaker'' plate that the later ZX unit does. If so they have ball bearings that are in between two plates . This allows the plate to move when the vacuum advance functions . The ball bearings are held in place with plastic keepers. After 30 yrs of use they become brittle and crack and allow the balls to fall out , then the plate cannot move , or barely so . the engine will run sluggishly like a flat spot when you depress the gas peddle from a stop. Gary