scc944

My 87 turbo wouldn't start - I replaced the fuel pump, filter, DME relay and pressure regulator. It will start now but only runs for a few minutes and then shuts down. When it is running it accelerates fine. But I can't figure out what the problem is - anyone got any ideas on what I should do next?

jerome951

Sounds like you've replaced many of the likely culprits. Have you tried swapping with a known good DME to eliminate that as the source of the problem?

I'm sure you live near another Rennlister who will let you borrow their DME.

Turby

clogged injectors?

mein51

Are your plugs fouling out?

ehall

Have you checked all of the grounds? The grounds get old, and bad on our cars, and cause people to do massive replacing of parts before they ever think to check there. Ask me how I know
After that check your reference sensors. If they are in bad shape, or their connecters are, you will have this problem.
Lastly, when you say it doesn't start, what do you mean? Does it try to turn over but not fire? Does it not even crank? Can you here the starter solenoid engage? All of the three I mentioned could cause the problem.
If all of those check out, come back, and we'll work on more.

testarossa_td

Some guesses...
Does your TPS click?(Throttle Position Sensor)
Check idle screw.
Check the door on your AFM.

scc944

thanks I'll check the 1st 2, but what is the AFM???

Rip It

Did it start before u did something to it ? If so check all your work, avoid buying and replacing expensive good parts. A large vaccuum leak could cause this. Check all the simple things first, clean battery connections ?

testarossa_td

Air Flow meter. Behind filter. Pull turbo script cover, and remove filter, push on the door with engine running. (I used the blunt end of a long screwdriver)

Of course realize that while doing this your intake air is not being filtered.
Also make sure there are no loose screws.(if a loose screw gets sucked in it will destroy your turbo!)
In fact do this at your own risk
You can do the same with the engine off, but you will not be able to notice the results directly unless you get an ohm meter out and a bunch of other steps.

ckkrause

Before you go any further buying parts, go through Clark's fuel pressure check procedure. Does it just die out suddenly or get rough and then die a slow death? If it does this it could very well be a fuel pressure/flow problem... my $.02...

-CKKrause