TBI Starting Questions

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Jarrett Melvin

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Recently picked up an 89 C3500 C&C. 350 TBI, truck runs and drives. Issue is, truck is real hard to start cold, turns over 30-45 seconds before even making an offer. Put some gas down the throttle body and start right away and starts fine after its been running. PO mentioned a choke and that it was unhooked. Can't seem to find anything tho.

Any input greatly appreciated, thanks.
 

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TBI engines don’t have an actual choke. Check to see if the idle air control valve at the base of the throttle body is hooked up.
 

bucket

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Does the fuel pump prime when you turn the key on to start the truck? If not, check the fuel pump relay.
 

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Time to check the pumps fuel pressure. A new fuel filter might be the answer too if the pump checks out ok.

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Jarrett Melvin

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I was talking the PO afain and questioned him on it. He said " it be should be just unplugged from the side of the carb"

Could this be the TPS he's talking about?
 

bucket

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I was talking the PO afain and questioned him on it. He said " it be should be just unplugged from the side of the carb"

Could this be the TPS he's talking about?

It's anyone's guess what he is talking about. If it's TBI, there's no carb. Or choke.
 

Jarrett Melvin

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It's anyone's guess what he is talking about. If it's TBI, there's no carb. Or choke.


First time ive ever dealt with one, I understand there's no carb or choke. But I am only quoting what I was told when I bought the truck and came here in hopes someone could shine a little light in my problem or perhaps lead in me in the right direction as to what could be wrong.
 

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First time ive ever dealt with one, I understand there's no carb or choke. But I am only quoting what I was told when I bought the truck and came here in hopes someone could shine a little light in my problem or perhaps lead in me in the right direction as to what could be wrong.

Yeah, just don't worry about what the PO says. The first few responses here are the best place to start looking for the cause. Going off what the PO says is just going to have you on a wild goose chase.
 

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