Help! Starting issues

[knelson]

Hello,
I own a 1982 Collectors Edition (Cross-Fire) and am now having problems starting the vehicle. It ran fine and then had to let it set in my garage for nearly 8 months. Now it will turn over but not start. I have it in a shop right now and the mechanic replaced the fuel pump as it was bad and it will still not start. He thinks it is the Power Control Unit (PCU) but neither of us can locate one. Chevy dealer said that part has been discontinued and they can not get it either. First of all I am not sure that is the complete issue and second can anyone help me locate this part?
Thanks.
Ken

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

I know little/nothing about crossfire equipped engines, but it sounds like your mechanic doesn't either as he's 'guessing' what might be wrong. You could go broke or become old and grey waiting for this to get fixed by guessing.

Unless there's solid evidence that this part is faulty, I'd take the car somewhere else. There's several people here that are good with crossfire, I'd await their opinion.

 

[Hib Halverson]

The engine controller (ECM) is a metal box, in the well, behind the driver seat, ahead of the battery. A bad ECM is possible but, given the scant information above, I think it not likely if the engine had been running when you parked the vehicle.

If you've gotten past the basics...checking to make sure you have fuel and spark, if you're going to continue to trouble shoot this problem yourself, you, need the factory service manual.

 

[knelson]

Thanks for the info. Some more information. The fuel pump is not getting any power, however, when direct wired (by-passing the ECU & PCU, the engine starts and runs. That is the reason the mechanic feels that the problem is with one of these electrical parts. I can not find any place that carries either an ECU or PCU for my vehicle. Do you know where I might check, maybe there is a company that can re-build the ones I have.
Thanks,
Ken

 

[Hib Halverson]

If the ECM was bad, the engine would not run, regardless of how the fuel pump was wired.

You need to read the factory service manual and troubleshoot accordingly.

I have the 82 book but not the time to research it for you. My guess is 82s have a fuel pump relay and that relay is either bad or the wiring between the ECM and the relay or between the relay and the pump is problematic.

I wouldn't assume the ECM has failed unless the manuals troubleshooting information leads you to that conclusion.

You can buy the factory service manual from CAC sponsor, Zip Products.

My belief is that there are businesses which "rebuild" ECMs. One of the experts on the late C3 engine controls systems here on CAC probably knows the sources for this serivce.

 

[knelson]

Thanks for the information. I will order the factory service manual and take your advice.
Ken