I have a 1983 280zx turbo 2+2. It sat for about a year I started it up and drove it to my new house about 20 minutes away it ran fine. I took it about a week later ran fine then died after having it in a parking lot for about twenty minutes. Finally got it started it ran really rich alot of black smoke then died again had it towed home. Was able to get it started still was running really rich and not idling right after inspecting it thoroughly noticed the the cylinder head temperature sensor had come loose plugged it back in and now when I start it cold it starts right up but backfires and sputters sometimes stalls out until it get to normal operating temperature. Any ideas or comments would be appreciated. Thanks new to this forum.

 

Welcome to Zdriver!

I would say clean all your connections and contacts. And see if that helps. These cars are quite picky when it comes to sensors and electrical issues. If things aren't quite working out right. It wont run correctly. Hope that helps, and good luck.

 

I'd go with a tuneup, what all did you do when you bought the car, I hope you didn't just drive around town in a car that was parked for a year..

 

after simple tune up and cleaning of connections like mentioned i would check IC module, and air flow meter(afm) along with ecu. I had the same problem, turned out i had a faulty IC module and a failing fuel pump relay too. As for the running rich and idle problem that can be caused by a faulty afm. Good luck and search engine on this forum along with the FSM is your friend ;D

https://www.zdriver.com/forums/showt...e+this+one+out
and if you live near or in CA go to Mikes Z shop in Whittier ;D

 

Before I parked it I recently changed all the spark plugs and wires along with a new fuel pump, fuel filter and fuel pressure regulator. I don't believe the car is running rich anymore since I found the disconnected cylinder head temperature sensor was unplugged I was wondering if since I had running rich if I possibly got a bunch of carbon gunked up in my catalytic converter and if there was an easy fix for that?

 

Remove it, gut it, straightpipe it. It'll sound better, and you'll no longer have a clogged catalytic converter!