1982 Collector will not start
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 10
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1982 Collector will not start
I had my 82 collector running yesterday as I have done regularly over the winter. It ran for about 15 minutes and then stopped. It will now not restart. The engine cranks, there is spark to the plugs and there is fuel to the throttle body. Where do I go from here? Is it probable that the issue is a failed ECM? How can I test for this?
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 1,185
From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
Did you check to see if something set in the ECM yet? Do you have a GM service manual? You can find them on eBay and try and find an original manual with the color diagrams, easier to troubleshoot stuff. Start with the basics
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Warrington PA
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
If you haven't already....check out the "sticky" above......https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...solutions.html and go to SECTION THREE.....(NO START CONDITION(S)) that may help you diagnose your problem.....
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 188
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From: Rockaway NJ
There is a fuse in the battery compartment that powers the ECM. Pull it check it and reinstall. It might reset the ECM
also, the oil pressure switch will shut off fuel supply if it fails or senses low/no oil pressure. Check the connector
also, the oil pressure switch will shut off fuel supply if it fails or senses low/no oil pressure. Check the connector
Last edited by Drifter36; Mar 10, 2019 at 07:54 AM.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 10
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wasn't aware the oil sensor could do this. I will have a look at that one. I did check the 20 amp fuse and the fuses for the injectors, all of them are good. Pulling the fuse for the ECM did not help, neither did completely removing the battery for a while. I am going through the things in the sticky to see if anything there helps. Just not sure why if there fuel to the throttle body and there is spark to the plugs why will it not fire?
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 1,185
From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
If the 20 amp fuse in battery compartment is bad/blown, you will not get any fuel pressure. You said you had fuel at the injectors, right?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2017
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I have gas dripping into the throttle bodies so I assume the pump is working. I can hear it when I turn on the key. The 20 AMP fuse to the ECM is good, I removed it, cleaned it a bit and put it back in. I am thinking I will just order a rebuilt ECM and see if that is what it takes.
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 188
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From: Rockaway NJ
You should see a conical pattern from the fuel injectors, when cranking. If you have only a drip, that may be your problem. You can try pouring a small amount of gas into the intakes and see if it fires. When was the fuel filter last changed? I doubt that the problem is your ECM.
Last edited by Drifter36; Mar 10, 2019 at 04:47 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 1,185
From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
OK, I don't think we have ALL the correct information on what is really going on. Have someone take a short video of you trying to start it with the airbox off looking right at the injectors. If it's just dribbling when cranking, it isn't right. What is the fuel pressure? The pump may be bad.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2017
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Well, I got it running. The clue was the injectors were just dripping fuel not spraying it. I have never started it with the air cleaner off so did not know what to expect. Turns out the fuel pump connection inside the tank was a bit flakey, it would just pump enough to prime but not to actually start. Cleaned all the connections and put it all back together (the pump was replaced last summer) and it fired up right away.
Thanks to everyone for you help with this. I was thinking it was a lot more serious than that. Now I can get it out on the street as soon as the snow melts. We have 2 - 3 feet of snow still.
Thanks to everyone for you help with this. I was thinking it was a lot more serious than that. Now I can get it out on the street as soon as the snow melts. We have 2 - 3 feet of snow still.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 1,185
From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
Awesome! 
You really do need to get a GM Service Manual though and you need to find out what your fuel pressure is. Set it at 13psi and you'll be a happy camper as well as your motor. 
You really do need to get a GM Service Manual though and you need to find out what your fuel pressure is. Set it at 13psi and you'll be a happy camper as well as your motor.