vette wont start
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Joined: Dec 2008
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From: California
vette wont start
when my vette cranks up it wont go all the way and start. can it be the cap and rotor??distribitor??? m i getting a spark or not???? how do check or diagnose/trouble shoot it???
thanks in advance.......
thanks in advance.......
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Duvall, WA
You can test for spark by putting a timing light on a spark plug wire and cranking the engine over. Or you can take the electrode tip off a spark plug, pull a plug wire, insert the spark plug in the wire end and hold the spark plug with insulated pliers about 1/8" from a metal part of the engine, like the head. You should see spark when cranking the engine.
Team Owner
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From: In limbo
St. Jude Donor '13-'15, '17 thru '22
You started another thread saying the starter motor doesn't turn the car over. Which is it? The starter turns the motor and it doesn't fire, or the starter doesn't turn the engine? Knowing the answer to that would be a big help toward diagnosis.
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From: California
im having both problems not......i post 2 so i get 2 seperate answes cause i dont want to get confuse
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 71
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From: California
You can test for spark by putting a timing light on a spark plug wire and cranking the engine over. Or you can take the electrode tip off a spark plug, pull a plug wire, insert the spark plug in the wire end and hold the spark plug with insulated pliers about 1/8" from a metal part of the engine, like the head. You should see spark when cranking the engine.
what about putting a starting fluid on the carb?? and if it dont start i guess it has no spark.... will that work??????
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Duvall, WA
You have an HEI ignition, I assume? If so, it could be the ignition module inside your distributor. That's an easy fix. If you have a voltmeter, turn your ignition to the on position and check to see if you have 12 volts going into the distributor. Do this after checking for spark, though.
Don't use starter fluid.
Don't use starter fluid.
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From: California
You have an HEI ignition, I assume? If so, it could be the ignition module inside your distributor. That's an easy fix. If you have a voltmeter, turn your ignition to the on position and check to see if you have 12 volts going into the distributor. Do this after checking for spark, though.
Don't use starter fluid.
Don't use starter fluid.
thanks ill try that also..............
why not use a starter fluid??? will i break anything
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Duvall, WA
Starter fluid is intentionally quite explosive. I had a friend in high school who would start his small block in the morning with a squirt of starter fluid. One morning he called me to pick him up because he used a bit too much and blew a head gasket.
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Thread Starter
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From: California
ok... can it be the ignition coil also????????
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From: Duvall, WA
Le Mans Master
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Here is another place that good old 12v testlight will save a bunch of effort and guesswork
Put the testlight to the tach terminal on the HEI and crank it- if the testlight flashes, then the module AND pickup coil are good. (disconnect the tach wire from the HEI)
No flash then 1st the module and then the pickup coil. If it flashes, then very possibly the ignition coil.
Put the testlight to the tach terminal on the HEI and crank it- if the testlight flashes, then the module AND pickup coil are good. (disconnect the tach wire from the HEI)
No flash then 1st the module and then the pickup coil. If it flashes, then very possibly the ignition coil.
Le Mans Master
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From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Spend $200 for a new distributor or $25-$30 for a module. No choice IMHO.
troubleshooting these things is not that tough. it's easy to stand back and throw parts at them and hope you get it right.
Worst case here- you lost the timing chain- it's weekend to change it if you've NEVER done one before. Minimum investment in tools, (buy exactly what you need), BORROW the specialized stuff from your parts store, and spend UNDER $100 for top quality parts. ASK questions about the things you don't understand. I don't recommend anyone getting a Chilton or Haynes manual, but they're way cheaper than the GM Factory Service manual and you can get them just about anywhere. They're not a perfect 100% everytime correct manual, but most of the troubleshooting stuff is close enough to get you going.
Sorry for the rant!
troubleshooting these things is not that tough. it's easy to stand back and throw parts at them and hope you get it right.
Worst case here- you lost the timing chain- it's weekend to change it if you've NEVER done one before. Minimum investment in tools, (buy exactly what you need), BORROW the specialized stuff from your parts store, and spend UNDER $100 for top quality parts. ASK questions about the things you don't understand. I don't recommend anyone getting a Chilton or Haynes manual, but they're way cheaper than the GM Factory Service manual and you can get them just about anywhere. They're not a perfect 100% everytime correct manual, but most of the troubleshooting stuff is close enough to get you going.
Sorry for the rant!