i got a 1989 rs with a tbi and it starts and sounds stong but dies soon after the initial start. i replaced my fuel filter and o2 sensor thinking that would be it but no luck. it wont even stay running long enough to pull a code up from the dummy light. now im thinking that its gotta be my idler control sensor. the cars got 185,000 miles on it if that helps. what do you guys think

 

Check for a vacum leak the injectors and fuel pump. You also may need to change the filter again. My dad sold a truck for less than it was worth because of he already changed the pump and filter my cousin changed the filter again and flushed the tank unlike my father and has been driving it since.

 

Definatly check the fuel pump. And you dont need it running to get codes. If there are codes stored just jumper the a and b terminals and turn the key on, engine off.

 

With TBI youcan look inside the throttle body & see if the injectors are spraying fuel before the engine shuts off.

 

one problem is that there could be water in the gas tank, usually the car would just run like crap if that was it, but it is possible for it to stall out a lot, i'd drain the fuel system and get some fresh gas in there, that could solve your problem.

 

if none of the stuff everyone else tells you works see if you can try and change the coil and see if that changes anything cause my 91 camaro had that same problem after i changed everything that i thought it would have been and it still didnt change anything then i change the coil and the plug wires again and it runs fine