1985 Chevrolet El Camino - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

Usually on the starter solenoid

It is either a wiring problem to the injector or the injector drive circuit in the PCM module. It is more likely wiring.

sounds like a short in the efi harness

replace the ecm as the circuit in the ecm is not operating

Front seating area, driver side, under dash, mounted on upper passenger side of steering column support

The linkage ratio is off. This is the measurement from the center of the shifter shaft (the shaft that comes out ot the transmission) to the center of where the linkage cable/rod attaches to the arm that bolts to the shifter shaft. This distance needs to be shortened. THis will allow mre movement to give you 3nd and low.

If you have a weak spark it will not start since under compression it takes a much stronger spark to jump the gap as compared to a spark in normal air pressure. Try a good known working coil.

Contact the manufacture for the issue at there website customer service. This is an after market system and they are all different.

ROFL!! Larry, you'll just need to reach behind the dashboard and turn the socket 1/4 turn to remove the bulb carrier. Replace the bulb (I recall it as being a regular T5 bayonet bulb) and see if the light comes on when you turn the ignition key to ON. If not, manually trace wires back to the ECU (to the other side of the firewall) to verify that someone has not cut them.

In regions where smog checks are required to register your vehicle, YES. In regions where smog checks are not required, you should fix the CHECK ENGINE light anyway, as it is an important warning of engine issues.

It is highly likely, on a vehicle that age, that the bulb is simply burned out for the CHECK ENGINE light. (Should be a T5, if I recall.) If not, you may need to replace the ECU with a rebuilt. Before doing so, check the light circuit to verify that someone didn't unplug it (common practice when unscrupulous people are trying to sell vehicles that won't pass smog due to engine problems).

You will need to either have tomdrop trans out or pull engine for access

detrim door, locate motor, usually mounted with rivets, you must drill out, remove, straight forward operation

I think the fuse block is tucked up under the dash aboe the brake pedal. Not sure, but i think that's right. Fuse should be marked I assuming both windows aren't working??

Since it works in all the positions except forward. Pull the switch, Look at it and take it apart. Clean the contact points. Or just replace the switch, good luck on finding one that is working good.

if your doing this much work buy a service manual it has the information you will need and torque settings that you will need.

If electric choke not working and blade on carb is not fully opened, that would cause your issue...check for power at choke stat, if not, check fuse

Your firing order is:1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 The driver's side cylinders are number: 1-3-5-7 starting from the front. The passenger side is numbered: 2-4-6-8. If you have all the wires off and do not know where any of the go, you have to find top dead center on the compression stroke for the #1 cylinder. After that is accomplished you can check timing tab to see if it lines up with the line in the pulley just to make sure. Do not use the timing tab reference to the pulley only because it also will line up top dead center of the #6 also. Make sure there is compression in the #1 cylinder and make sure you line up the mark on the timing tab on the timing cover with the mark on the pulley. Going CLOCKWISE around the distributor cap and starting where the ignition rotor is pointing, put on the cap and remember which tower the rotor is pointing. That tower is for #1. After all the wires are installed, the timing should be good enough to start the engine, after which the timing should be set with the appropriate tool.

What happens if you unplug the choke ? And the oil pressure switch? On some models the oil pressure switch activates a relay for the choke heater. On other models the choke light acts as a check engine light for the very basic engine computer.

CHECK: FUSES, RELAYS, WIRING, AND SWITCH