thomas280z

1980 280zx I'm installing a new Intake/exhaust gasket, the manual doesnt say anything about using any type of gasket sealer on the gasket. What do you think?

Thanks MDbrandy, the manual was a great help. The manual states that the ECU completes the ground for the injectors, thus firing them. And seeing that the injectors are firing eractically, I suspected the ECU is malfunctioning. After replacing it, problem fixed. And Organdonor, I appreciate the attempt to help but your advice was way off. First, according the manual, the ICM that you suggested was the culprit, has nothing to do with the firing of the injectors. The firing of the injectors is triggered from the negative side of the coil. And also the dropping resistor does not normally get that hot as you suggested. Its was overheating in my situation because the ECU was grounding the injectors all the time, thus causing the flooding and the overheating of the resistor. Dont get me wrong, but offering no advice is better that offering bad advice.

Well I tried that, that wasnt it. You are talking about the ignition module right? The little black box that bolts to the distributor? I did some more troubleshooting. The problem only crops up after it is run awhile and gets hot. When it started messing up, it smelled like raw fuel going out the exhaust. I cut the engine off, actually it died, I pulled the wires going to the injectors, connected a voltmeter, and I was reading 12v with the key on and the engine off. On all the injectors!!! Its just injecting fuel all the time!!! What would cause this?? The ECU?? Help!!

Bump, can anyone explain how the Fuel Injection works. With the erractic firing of the injectors, I'm thinking a bad (or going bad) ECU. But I've heard the AFM (Air flow Meter) on these cars has a high failure rate. What are the symptoms of a bad AFM? Thanks

'80 280ZX Seems to be flooding real bad. It runs fine when it runs and then just cuts off like its an electrical problem. When I try to restart it, its so flooded, it wont start. I removed the fuel pump relay to prevent it from running, then it will crank eventually. I checked the plugs, they're firing. What I did notice is that the fuel injectors are firing erratically. I can hear them firing when the car is not running and the key is on! I did a search on this site and found an article about the "AFM" not sending the right signal to the ECU. What is thhe AFM? I noticed one thing that might have something to do with the problem. The dropping resistor/sensor for the injectors gets extremely hot. Too hot to touch after just a short period of running. Is this normal? Any help would be appreciated. Also, what tells the ECU when to fire the injectors. Is this triggered off the ICU located on the side of the distributor? Thanks Joe