1990 Convertible

I have a 1990 Corvette convertible (As my user name states) and it ran fine yesterday, went to go start it up today and...nothing. The dash lights go dim when the key is turned and nothing happens. When the ignition is first turned on, you can hear the fuel pump coming on for a second, so I'm pretty sure that's fine. I used a remote starter on the starter and the engine turned over, but didn't fire up. Made sure that the distributor was getting fire, and it is.


Any ideas?

Silver85

Does the battery take a charge? That would be the first issue I would address.
Verify fuel pressure? Maybe pull a plug and look to see if it's getting fuel?

1990 Convertible

Didn't bother checking the battery since the remote starter that I hooked up turned the engine over just fine with the battery that's in the car.

Silver85

Yeah, probably not keeping the car from starting but it will need to get addressed at some point. I have an 85 without the VATs so i don't know if that could have something to do with it. Not sure how it acts when voltage drops on the system.

aklim

Crank it and spray some ether in the manifold. If it catches, we have a fuel issue

1990 Convertible

Tried another battery that was fully charged out of a chevy 1500, same issue, turn the key and nothing happens except the dash lights dimming. Starter won't even turn over. Since I had a remote starter hooked up to the starter to make sure the starter was working, I now know that it's not the starter, and it's not the battery either since that battery will start the truck every time.

VATS issue, or maybe a starter relay issue?

aklim

I'd have say I would take the starter out and have it looked at by a rebuild shop. VATS would not dim the light.

If that isn't the issue, you may have to tow it to do a draw test

1990 Convertible

Checked the engine trouble codes, code 12 three times followed by code 46 three times, then starting over again.

Code 46 - VATS.

aklim

OK. Thing that bothers me is that it dims the lights like there is a current draw. Do you have another key you can try? Maybe we can see if it gets a signal to the starter just to eliminate that.

Any way to scan if the pass key is and is authorized by the ECM?

Silver85

Might check the ground cables for corrosion where they connect to the chassis. Especially since it turned over when connected to a starter that was providing a different ground but wont even with a fresh battery.

aklim

IDK. I agree it is possible but how to have it checked without a VAT 40 meter? I had a bad starter once and it would start when it was jumped or battery charged. Happened often enough that it worried me. For ***** and giggles, I hooked the battery to another car and it worked. Thing I am worried about is that if the starter is old enough, it might not be a wise thing to assume it is in good shape. Doesn't hurt to look before he tows it for a starter draw test.

jv9999

This might help.

aklim

But if the engine will not crank, why does it have the lights dim? Doesn't that indicate that a huge amount of power is demanded hence the dimming of lights? Assuming battery is ok, that is. Pump should be on for 2 seconds and not much of a draw. So what is causing that draw?

Silver85

And my understanding is that with a VATS issue the motor would still turn with the starter, just not crank. The lights dimming make me think there is an amp draw on the battery that the circuit can't carry and causing a severe voltage drop. My vote is for a wiring issue. Corrosion, frayed connection, bad cable......

aklim

I'm not following. Turn with the starter but not crank? I just taped my key pellet and it wouldn't turn or crank.

Silver85

I thought it would turn over but not crank up. Guess I was wrong on that one.

But if it was the VATS how is it turning over on a starter and not without it?

aklim

If VATS doesn't like you, it won't crank. I just did it on mine. You will hear it prime the pump. It just won't crank. No starter action. It won't throw the actuator or turn

Think you are going to crank it immediately after trying? Think again, buddy. No cranking for 10 minutes for you.

Signed: The VATS ****

Silver85

Hahaha!!! Glad I don't have it!

aklim

I suspect it is more whipped up trouble than actual trouble.