This is one thats kinda got me stumped, so I wanted to see if anyone out there could offer up some insight. I've had a problem lately, just in the last few days, with my 91 dieing right after I start it up. Once it happened twice in a row when it started it up and finally the thrid time I had to sit there and rev the engine for a minute or two to stop it from dieing. The other times it has started up and right after I've started moving or pulled out of the parking space it will idle real low (like 600, maybe 750rpm) and then die. The engine light comes on and I have to put it in park and restart it. Its happened to me when I'm in park and in drive if that helps. I don't actually have a scanner so I don't know the code its throwing(anyone know a good place for obd1 scanners by the way).

So, I was searching throught the forums earlier and someone had a sorta similar problem that was fuel pump related, so that might be a good place to start since it only seems to happen while I'm trying or right after I crank it(except there was one time last year that it randomly did it that was after I had driven a few miles).

The plugs, wires, and battery are 1 year old. I did the delco ICM swap a little after that, which I'm leaning towards maybe I got a bad one. The most recent thing I had done was the upper intake gasket replaced and all the intake cleaned out.....which incedentally, its runs sooooo much smoother after that.....but, seems to die a whole lot easier

But like I said, this ones kinda stumped me a little bit, so if anyone has any good starting points I'd love to hear them.

Thanks again everybody.

Start by pulling the codes. All it takes is a paper clip. The proceedure has been posted on here several times. Basically you jumper out pins A and B ( i think) on the plug and turn the key to the on position (do not start the engine or crank it over). The check engine light will flash, pause and double flash and pause (code 12, this signals start of check). Then it will flash the same way for the codes. Then flash 12 again.


I found the link that explains the code retreival:

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...e=article&k=57

Awesome, thanks for the link, I'll give that a try today. Does it save the last code it throws or am I going to have to wait till it does it again to check it, because once I get it started the engine light goes off.

Thanks again.

The codes are saved until the power is disconnected from the computer, usually by disconnecting the battery. Keep in mind that it will display every code it has seen since the last time the power was disconnected. Be prepared to write down the number of each code as it is displayed in case there is more than one. Also keep a record of which codes have been displayed so that when you reset it, you can tell if it is still showing the same code.
Some people don't like to reset their radio stations so they pull the fuse instead.

Ok.....well....I just did the procedure described in that info artical and it just kept flashing code 12 (one flash followed by 2 short flashes), so I guess its not throwing a code when it dies. But I'm going to carry my trusty paper clip around with me now and try and catch it next time it does it. The mystery deepens

I had a similar problem, but I was getting a TPS voltage low code. I ended up putting a new MAF sensor on it and set the voltage on the TPS.

I was also the one that had the fuel pump problem. My would not restart after it was warmed up and driven for awhile. The garage told me the fuel pump either works or it doesn't, but mine started out 10-15 lbs low when it was cold.

The only thing I can figure is that the fuel pump would seize up when it got warmed up. I replaced the pump and never had the problem again.

You might try putting a gage on your fuel rail and see what ya get. Mine was the original 17 yr old pump.

You might try starting it and letting it die, and then do the code pull.

Good luck.

Here are some things that could cause it to die.
Loose pin connector at ICM or other sensors.
TPS voltage off setting.
PCV hose popped off or vac leak.
Crank sensor going out.
Bad gas or water in fuel.
The list goes on.