BlueKitsune

Ok Heres the run down atm

Fuel pump is fixed and running only when its suposto, I just replaced the Alternator and battery.
Now heres whats going on, The car is VERY hard to start, and if it does it runs like crap like its missing badly, already checked the plugs, wires, cap, and rotor.. Oh and the coil. all 6 plugs are making a spark.
When it does run it runs VERY rich, enough to have black smoke fly out the tail pipe, I thought it was the AFM so I replaced it with one I know that works. I have yet to check the TPS, The Fuel Pressure Regulator looks new, Not sure of what PSI the fuel pump is pushing.

Point blank, It runs like **** as if on 3 cylinders, Its got to much fuel, air and spark.

Any Ideas? Please help

PurePontiacKid

you can never have too much spark.

if it's blowing black smoke, then it's not getting too much air.

so therefore it's getting too much fuel.

Have you checked the ignition timing? That could make some of the problem. Also, if all of the smog equipment is hooked up, and the intake manifold is fully stock, try deleting some of the stuff that's on it to simplify what could be going wrong.

OH YEA. check to make sure the little yellow plug that's on the t-stat housing is plugged in and is making contact (it's not corroded or anything)

check the connection at the AFM as well

BlueKitsune

lol Ok I already know the AFM is hooked up right, I just chekd the temp stuff but theres something that seems wrong so heres some pics


What is this???


Not my wiring but if I could read the FSM wiring diagram (its way to blurry to read) I would check it.

Im just about ready to dump this EFI BS and rebuild the SUs I have and slap them on this Z

EDIT: I just tore apart the SPEAKER wire (shown in second pic) and I did a quick check to see which one was the one to the CSV, Turns out the water temp wires were hooked to the thermotime!!! I cleaned the sensor connector re did the wiring (left the CSV and Thermotime unhooked) And the Z fired right up, still not running as smooth as I want, and misses a bit at higher RPMS but it runs somewhat right. Tomorrow when I can take the Z out of the shop and still see, I'll check the timing then do the valves. And probably put my MSD2 Blaster coil on it. Maybe install a 280ZX Dizzy. to see if that helps a bit.
Oh ya, is it ok if I used 1980 ZX plugs in an 78 Z? I know the only diff is the projected tips but if I used the projected tips will it hit the pistons? atm it has bosh platinum's in it.

PurePontiacKid

Just get NGK's and call it a day, spark plugs are cheap from parts stores lol

BlueKitsune

Ya, if they carried them... For w/e reason they dont carry NGKs for a 78 280Z... They can special order them from like $4 a plug....

PurePontiacKid

you ask for them for other years? maybe their system is screwed up and they have it for a different year, try like a '75 and then like a '79 or '80...

So in other words, yes, the L-series uses the same spark plugs pretty much from every year.

BlueKitsune

I know the difference, the 78 (and some other years I forgot which) use a non-projected tip. Im just wondering will that projected tip hit the piston or something?

PurePontiacKid

Everyone I know with an L-series engine (from L28's to L24's) uses the same exact plugs that I do.

BlueKitsune

Thats good enough for me! lol I'll change them tomorrow then when I can see. Bosh plugs dont seem right in a Z

BlueKitsune

Ok got it all figured out! First I had to wire in a new fuel pump relay, the re-hooked up the fuel pump, that fixed the fuel system problem, The I replaced the AFM as it had the wrong one in it (AFM had more pins the the EFI plug did) And I hooked up the temperature sender to the right wire (thermotime and TS where mixed up) then agter all that had to replace the alternator and battery, now she runs like new! Just need to adjust the valves and the engine is good to go! Amazing how well the Auto still works but you can also feel the parasitic drag on it as well.

Oh and I ripped the bumpers off

Now I have a problem with the lights!, Dash lights and park lights work at random. Im guessing it has to do with the dimmer switch...