82 crossfire injection

[Carl H.]

Recently purchased a 22,000 mile 82 that has not been driven much in a long time. Fuel guage is not operating, pegged at 1/4 tank. At cold start rpm goes from stall speed to 1200 rpm, up and down until temp rises. Smooths out when warm with idle slightly too high. Above 40 mph it will surge when accellerating. Since I know I have to pull the sending unit, should I suspect the fuel pump may not be supplying steady pressure? Replace it now? Have already changed fuel filter.

[Dick W.]

Re: 82 crossfire injection

Carl, there was a problem with the idle on some of these cars when they were new. The GM TBS's referred to it as "cold idle chuggle", ever what a chuggle is. Their solution was a couple of generation of prom's to cure this problem. There are a few cars out there with the last generation prom that still have this problem

[Carl H.]

Re: 82 crossfire injection

Thanks for the comeback. I think I will run it for awhile with a lot of techron in the tank before I do anything else. No way they ran like this new.

[Jim T.]

Re: 82 crossfire injection

Carl is there anywhere that a direct connection can be made to the fuel line to the injectors and use a pressurized can of injector cleaner?

[Carl H.]

Re: 82 crossfire injection

Carl is there anywhere that a direct connection can be made to the fuel line to the injectors and use a pressurized can of injector cleaner?

It would be very easy to tap into the fuel line at the filter. Is that too far away to do any good?

[Terry M.]

Re: 82 crossfire injection

No that is where some injector cleaning kits are designed to hook into the fuel line. One connects the can of injector cleaner to the fuel line at the filter, and removes the fuse to the fuel pump and runs the car using the contents of the injector cleaner. We use one in school, and use FORD fuel injector cleaner -- very effective.

I can't see the economics of buying one of those kits just for one car. Lots of independent shops have them though. You will just have to find one (a shop that is) that you trust.

[Carl H.]

Re: 82 crossfire injection

Well, I am kind of embarrassed. Just checked the trouble codes (like I should have done before begging for help) have a code 33 (MAP sensor low voltage condition). Anybody know if it has to be replaced or can I remove and clean something? I do not see any item on the judging sheets where the map sensor is judged for date codes, serial numbers, etc. This car probably has serious potential for Bowtie and I don't want to make any mistakes.

[Arland D.]

Re: 82 crossfire injection

Carl,

Your fuel gauge may be pegged at 1/4 tank because the sending unit float is stuck on the bladder in the tank. If you remove the sending unit (it can be done from the top) and shorten the sending unit arm, you may cure the constant gauge read out. While it's out, you may want to replace the short piece of rubber fuel line above the pump with a piece of fuel line that is compatible with the newer fuel formulas and won't dissolve. Regards,

Arland

[Carl H.]

Re: 82 crossfire injection

I have the fuel sending unit/pump assembly loose and disconnected from all wires and hoses. I have not been able to wiggle it through the hole in the body. Will it go through the hole for sure without dropping the tank?

[Arland D.]

Re: 82 crossfire injection

Carl,

As long as the lid/hinge assembly and rubber boot are removed, it should come out. It will take a little jockeying to get the pump and float arm though the tank hole but it is definitely possible without dropping the tank. Many of us have dealt with sending unit issues this way

Arland

[Carl H.]

Re: 82 crossfire injection

Well, I finally got that huge asssembly out of that tiny hole. Installed new fuel pump and screen, cleaned the potentiometer, and got it all back in the tank. No fuel getting to the engine. I am wondering if I could have reversed the two rubber lines that go to the carbon canister, and if so would that stop fuel delivery? Everything else should be fine, unless a wire got disconnected while reinstalling the thing in the tank. Not going back in the tank anytime soon, worse job I ever tackled. Anybody know which fuse the fuel pump is on?? Owners manual does not provide a clue. Thanks to you all. Carl

[Jim T.]

Re: 82 crossfire injection

Carl I am not familiar with the 82's in tank pump. I have removed the in tank pump on my 85 and 96. Removed the filler neck and had plenty of room to remove the fuel pump and gas guage assembly.

[Arland D.]

Re: 82 crossfire injection

Carl,

If you turn the ignition key to 'on' without starting the engine, can you hear the fuel pump running? If not, it may be a wiring or fuse issue like you mentioned. If you can hear it running and nothing is coming out of the fuel line at the throttle body end of the line, it may involve the short piece of rubber line that connects the fuel pump to the metal fuel line in the tank. They have been known to dissolve, break, leak, etc. due to the effects of the newer fuel on the old rubber material. If that is the case, the pump will stir the fuel in the tank and not get any through the line to the front of the car. If you do not currently have a shop manual for your '82, this may be a good time to get ahold of one - it has been a huge help for this owner over the years. Regards,

Arland

[Carl H.]

Re: 82 crossfire injection

Thanks much. I hear no sound with ignition on so I can assume no power to the pump, or new pump is bad out of the box. Guess I have to go back into the dreaded "hole".

[Terry M.]

Re: 82 crossfire injection

Be sure the fuel pump fuse is good.