Paul;
This may take a while, and is going to lead you into doing some research
yourself. As a first step, though, remove the new air filter element and
reinstall the lid tightly, just to make sure you don't have an air leak
induced by a poor fitting air filter element.
Assuming this is not going to help, the next step is to carefully inspect
all the wiring and vacuum hose tubing, making sure all the harnesses are
completely plugged in with all pins and connectors intact, and that the
vacuum hose routing is exactly in compliance with the information on the
passenger inner fender sticker (it's near the hood hinge and may be quite
dirty, but it is there.)
Assuming you haven't yet found a problem, read up in the IML archives about
how to run the car with the air cleaner lid off. Basically, you need to
fool the computer into ignoring the air flow sensor by telling it that you
are cranking to start the engine.
If you haven't been using the IML archives long, you may need to search
around a bit before finding the step by step procedure, but it is there, I'm
sure, because I wrote it.
Once you know the trick for starting the car with the lid off, have a helper
try to start it while you watch the fuel plumbing lines inside the air
cleaner assembly. I'm guessing you will see some liquid fuel leaking from
somewhere, probably the fuel pressure switch tubing, or the nozzle assembly
valves. This is all very simple stuff, which you can remove, disassemble
and clean with spray type carburetor cleaner, so that you get all 8 nozzles
spraying nicely. Then put it back together and reassemble the lid etc., to
see if you've fixed anything.
If still no go, take a very close look at all the other air seals in the
whole top of engine hardware. Pay particular attention to the lid gasket,
and to the one beneath the hydraulic support assembly.
If you don't have the two manuals for this car, get busy on eBay or from a
literature dealer and find yourself a set, these are mandatory for
maintaining this car.
Don't give up - just listen to those of us who have fought our way through
all the sin previously committed by the unwashed in trying to get these cars
to run. Once you have it all back to normal, you will be delighted in the
way the car starts, runs, and drives!
I doubt this is enough information to solve the whole series of complaints,
but see if you can plow through the above and report back to us. There are
5 or 6 people on here who know a lot about these cars, and one of us will
jump in with good advice on every point.
If you don't already have one, it is a good idea to pick up a decent analog
type volt-ohmmeter. Radio Shack has an adequate one for under $50.
As someone else has implied, 90% of the engine problems on these cars are
blamed on "that damned EFI", and when it's all said and done, about 10% of
them turn out to be actually related to its being an EFI car.
Dick Benjamin
----- Original Message -----
From: Paul A. Feeney <paFeeney@xxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, June 05, 2002 12:09 PM
Subject: IML: 82 Imp EFI won't start/run
> Hi All,
>
> I just bought this car a few weeks ago and have since joined the club.
> Thanks for welcoming me. I've enjoyed the club so much in the last couple
of
> weeks that I've already gone out and bought a 68 Crown Coupe (runs great,
> 99.9% original from a man who bought it in 69).
>
> Anyway, about my non-running 82. It has the EFI still installed. I just
put
> new plugs in it and a new 0-2 sensor, fresh gas, new air filter and a new
> battery.
>
> Result- If I crank the car FOREVER, it will fire and immediately stall. If
I
> give it some gas (step on pedal) as it fires it will increase RPM and then
> die within a couple of seconds. If I then crank it again it will fire and
> stay running (very rough) as long as I keep my foot on the gas. WAY DOWN
on
> the gas. It will NOT idle, not even close, it will run above about 2,500
rpm
> only and it sounds like it's running on 5-6 cylinders only. Actually it
> feels like the plug wires are on wrong (they're not, I checked).
>
> Where should I start? I've read briefly through the info on club
> website but most of it deals with vehicles that idle rough or have low
> power. Mine just isn't drivable at all. I'm sure that I'm not the only
> person to come across this problem as I see 81-83 Imps for sale cheap all
> the time that "don't run". This car is extremely clean. No dents, no rust,
> great interior. As soon as I get it running it will go out for a fresh
coat
> of paint.
>
> Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm sure all be back online about
> things on my 68 as I learn more about it. I've already had the VERY
painful
> experience of taking a power window motor off the regulator (watch out,
this
> thing is like a bear trap as the spring will snap it closed on your hand,
I
> got ten stitches out of it)
>
> Thanks,
>
> Paul A. Feeney
>
> 82 Lt Blue EFI Wire Wheel
> 68 Black Crown Coupe
> 97 Dodge Ram 3500 (tow rig)
> 82 Maserati Quattroporte (at least it has a Mopar Trans, starter, and A/C)
>
>
>
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