1981 Corvette Won't Start - - Help!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
I got a reburbished ECM from O'Reilly's today for $82 w/ exchange. Car runs now, but doesn't run nearly as good, and the check engine light stays on. I didn't do anything special, just plugged it in and started it up. Do I need to reset the timing? Or is it just a matter of the ECM relearning the engine?
J
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,704
Likes: 27
Problem solved!!! I took the ECM out and removed the PROM cover, the PROM had popped out and not even in the slot! (and he attempted to install it backwards which is why it didn't seat down all the way). I turned it around and pushed it down in place. Started it up, nice crisp throttle response and no check engine light! Getting ready now to cruise around the block...thanks guys!! 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
Problem solved!!! I took the ECM out and removed the PROM cover, the PROM had popped out and not even in the slot! (and he attempted to install it backwards which is why it didn't seat down all the way). I turned it around and pushed it down in place. Started it up, nice crisp throttle response and no check engine light! Getting ready now to cruise around the block...thanks guys!!
1st Gear
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Chromy01
I just come across this forum and read about the 81 vette not starting I’m also having this problem car was running fine then all of a sudden I can’t get it to start I replaced the coil and no change also checked to make sure I’m getting the 12 volts from the battery at the coil fuel pump is getting gas to the carb I thinkI’ll check the ecm tomorrow
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,966
Likes: 6,196
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
I just come across this forum and read about the 81 vette not starting I’m also having this problem car was running fine then all of a sudden I can’t get it to start I replaced the coil and no change also checked to make sure I’m getting the 12 volts from the battery at the coil fuel pump is getting gas to the carb I thinkI’ll check the ecm tomorrow
