Will the engine start without the TPS -or- am I just checking to see if I get a pulse after disconnecting it?

It should start without the TPS connected - my 89 does.

So I'm surmizing then that a bad TPS position could prevent an injector signal during start-up? So that would mean the TPS is tied into the ICM also.

I just received my Chiltons, but have yet to look over the wiring diagrams.

The car started right up everytime today so no checks performed yet. I had almost 1/2 a tank and put some of the Techron fuel system cleaner in it. I used to use it on my VW'* twice a year and they loved it. I find it works better on 10 gallons or less of fuel as long as you're going to drive it all out within a few days. You don't want to pour this, Greased Lightning or Seafoam into a small tank (less than 1/2 full) and let it sit. It starts to attack the rubber after a week and can leave you with a gooey mess and some extra fittings you may have to replace. These products are very similar to what they use in the garage to clean out injectors and other parts that can get lacquered up by the fuel in the fuel system.

Good night all...

If the TPS fails & sends a high voltage to the PCM then the fuel injectors won't fire. I can only recall one case of this happening in the last couple years. It'* just something you want to rule out before buying expensive parts like the ICM or PCM.

I'd like to reiterate my previous mention about the 94/95'* haviing the flukiest pcm'* ever made in history.

Earlier this week another member had symptoms and problems that racked all of our brains and that members patience with his car. PCM swap was a magical thing. I can't say or put any percentage on it fixing your issue.....at this point it honestly seems that you have exhausted nearly every item that should cause this type of issue except the pcm.

I am suggesting swapping the pcm and ensuring that the eprom chip is moved from your old pcm to the new one.

Fortunately I own several other vehicles and a motorcycle, so I can afford to be patient.

This morning'* test was very informative. I placed the 194 bulb in #3 injector harness, turned the key and didn't get a light. I suspected that the car would not start and it didn't. No pulsing of the bulb. Just to make sure I checked the bulbs connection and tried again. The bulb did not light, but this time after a few revolutions of the crankshaft, the bulb flashed once and the car almost started, and then a few revs later it started pulsing normally and the car started. So the car was running (a little rough) and then the bulb stopped pulsing and then the car died.

I'm seriously thinking crankshaft sensor -or- as you folks have proved before on other vehicles that both the ICM & PCM are wonky.

If the ICM fails to start the car if it sees a bad connection to the crankshaft sensor, then I'm thinking bad crankshaft sensor.

If the ICM is blind to seeing a bad sensor, then I think both the ICM & PCM have to be bad since both exhibit the same type of intermittent failure causing the car to either not start, or to die while driving.

Being two seperate electrical devices.. I do not agree with that thought.

The ICM can be bad..however in a 95.. I would say the odds of a bad ICM vs a bad PCM is about 100:1. To further prove that point..if you'd like..I have a spare known good ICM sitting in a parts case that I would send you for testing purposes.

I currently have a 95 in my driveway and if I gather a pcm from one this weekend..I can test it to be known good as well. If we waited until Sunday.. there is a good chance that I could send both for testing purposes.

My logic was intended to be ridiculously flawed...it kind of makes sense though if you don't know how the two communicate between each other.

I will take you up on your offer. The cheapest one I can find at the yards is $75. Our yards around here take everything apart and supposedly test it and certify it. If you buy the part and it doesn't work, you're screwed because it was a certified part and you must have done something to break it. I have had better luck buying used parts from reputable folks on ebay!

I can wait...Thank you.

I also wanted to add that when the car didn't start, that I disconnected the TPS and it made no difference.

And we could have saved you the time. TPS and MAF sensors won't prevent a start. The PCM will use default values.