Fuel Issue 83 280ZX

[Arminas]

Im not sure if yall really deal with the fuel injection, or the 83 model.. I really dont know a lot about these cars yet other than I love the body style of them and think there very pretty vehicles. Im having what I belive to be a fuel delivery issue with my 83 280ZX. the car will start after the fuel pump kicks off, rev to 1.5K run for a second or two, then stutter and stall. the fuel pump is running when the car dies and runs for a moment and when it kicks off the car will start again and repeat the same thing. if you touch the throttle at anytime the car will just flat out die. Im thinking a computer may be buggerd but I have no idea, the injectors look like they've all been changed, Ive replaced the fuel filter and checked, I KNOW fuel is flowing good to the pressure regulator but Ive no idea about the condition of the injectors, or of the pressure regulator. Im a novice mechanic but I have worked as a mechanic a few years, I know a little bit about a little bit but most of my work is on american cars and I never worked on the fuel systems. quite honestly my specialty is more geared twords jap bikes, working on cars is just somthing Ive done to pay for my hobbies Im thinking about buying an intake and carbs from another L6 Datsun engine, throwing a fuel cell in the car, and running an aftermarket fuel pump and pressure regulator. I eventualy plan on running the car as a drag car with a 350 V8 and a T350 transmition, but for now I would like to run the car on the street if I can to play with it while I build the engine and transmition slowly over the next year (I have a lot of projects and not so much money) Does anybody have any idea as to what I should check? common problems? is the carb route a good idea? or should I just save my money tear it down and throw the V8 in it?

[Mr Camouflage]

Oh man, thats hard reading. Paragraph breaks are your friend. I only got half way through it, and couldn't read anymore, probably got half way more than anyone else, which is probably why no one replied.

I've heard these cars have problems with the cold start valve, or thermotime switch. I think they are just different names for the same part The system keeps the fuel rich enough for cold starts. When they go it makes the car impossible to start.

So I'd start with that. Also hybridz.org is probably a better place to ask about EFI, and definitely the place for ZX and V8 swap info.

[Arminas]

Thanks, I did a search after I did the post I figured that somebody else had to have my problem and I found a couple of things to try, somthing in particular about a tach circuit to the ECU from the coil.

And yes, punctuation is not one of my strong suits sorry. Hard to belive I make some money writing isn't it? I have to have everything proof read by a real writer before I submit it :nervous:

I'm not really going to dump any money into the car. I was looking at the carb route but found that I could get a poorly running V8 for almost the same price as shipping a set of carbs and an intake out here that I was watching on E-bay so Im going to take one more day playing with the electrical in the car instead of the fuel and if I cant get it to go Im just going to dump a V8 in it.

[Bleach]

There are better cars to use as a drag racer than a 280ZX.

Keep the fuel injection.

Check your intake. Make sure the Air Flow Meter (AFM) is connected tight and the hose going from it to the throttle body is solid and all connections are on there. You dont want a huge air leak.

It sounds to me like your AFM is just unplugged. Check the plug on the bottom. Make sure it is clean and dry. (and plugged in)

[Arminas]

I bought a 350 for the car today but Im going to play with the 6 a little more.

The conector on the AFM was tight, one of the first things that was checked, its also sending a good signal. haven't checked the ECU tach reading yet, sombody else on the forum seemed to have a similar problem and that was suggested as a possibility, I also have yet to check the thermotime sensor.

Didnt really play with the car today as I spent my day ripping into the 350

[Mike's "Z" Shop]

On that year there is a Relay behind the glove Box. It's the EFI/Fuel Pump and Bright Green in color! This will shut down the injectors and or the Fuel Pump! Put a Fuel Pressure Gauge on your in line after the Fuel filter and make sure your not running out of Gas!

[sblake01]

Mike, I used to work right down the street from your shop at the Ralph's at Telegraph and Carmenita. I retired in 2002 (5 years ago today!) and from what I understand, that Ralph's has closed down. Haven't been in that area in years but I've actually been in your shop a couple of times. Small world.

[Arminas]

Okay, so I used to think the car wasnt getting any fuel, but today for shits and giggles I taped the mass air meter wide open and the bugger ran.. you have to be careful with the throttle and there isnt enough power to move it, but it will idle and sumble to 3k if your VERY light on the throttle.. so now Im thinking the car is running Super rich..

So any ideas as to why my fuel injection would be dumping excess amounts of fuel?

[Friar-Tuck]

Arminas,

I believe the '82 & 83's are pretty close (depending on build date)

FSM's are pricey but worth it if you can afford one.

Snooping around this site, may help.

http://carfiche.com/fiche009/s30/index.pl

Tuck\o/

[sblake01]

I believe that 82 used the regular EFI system until mid year and from then on through the 83 year, the ECCS was used. That's why I haven't offered any suggestions in this thread since I've don't have any experience with the ECCS.

[Arminas]

Eh, I switched to a set of carbs I got for $75 yesterday with intake and hardware, car runs much better now.. needs some minor tweeks yet (carbs probobly need a cleaning out) but it will tach out now. need to get a fuel pump some new lines and Im planning on throwing a fuel cell in it and dropping the gas tank out.

[sblake01]

I'm glad that worked out for you. You'll definately need to drop that fuel pressure down to something more inline with carbs. IMO, however, you haven't solved a 'fuel issue' as the thread is entitled, you've just switched over to a different set of fuel issues. Seems to me that the stuff you mention, carbs and intake, fuel pump, fuel lines, a fuel cell, etc would cost more than correcting the EFI problems. Especially if you're contemplating things like putiing a V8 in it and making a 'drag car' out of it. My approach would have been much different but it's your car.