Only starts on second try????
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,444
Likes: 4
From: Hawthorne NJ
Only starts on second try????
Bought '89 coupe 2 months ago. Replaced fuel pump, fuel filter, adj. fuel reg. (42 psi), cleaned and set TPS, IAC, and throttle body, removed and cleaned rails and injectors,new coil, cap,platinum plugs, wires, set timing 6BTC, new air filter, flushed and filled coolant, added lucas fuel treatment and new battery. All of which were added because car has98K on it and I wanted these parts in good shape from start of my ownership. The car will not start on first turn of key ( tried waiting w/key on for 20 seconds) no matter what I do, but seems to start on second try regardless of how short a period the first try was...it just won't start till second try!!???
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,786
Likes: 5
From: Florida
Re: Only starts on second try???? (joseph p)
Could be the contacts (brushes) on your starter going. I had this exact same condition a little over one year ago. I had the starter rebuilt ($91 - much cheaper than a new LT-1 starter) and the problem went away immediately.
What happens is that you turn the ignition and the brushes do not make enough contact on the first engagement, so you get a nice "click" and nothing else. On the second try, they are in a bette position to more fully engage and you get a start condition. It's a frustrating condition, especially when you know the battery and charging (alternator) systems are functioning properly. Yeah, I even swapped in a new battery thinking that would cure the ills.
Good luck!
[Modified by CaliforniaLT-1, 2:02 PM 10/31/2001]
What happens is that you turn the ignition and the brushes do not make enough contact on the first engagement, so you get a nice "click" and nothing else. On the second try, they are in a bette position to more fully engage and you get a start condition. It's a frustrating condition, especially when you know the battery and charging (alternator) systems are functioning properly. Yeah, I even swapped in a new battery thinking that would cure the ills.
Good luck!
[Modified by CaliforniaLT-1, 2:02 PM 10/31/2001]
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 0
From: West Islip New York
Re: Only starts on second try???? (joseph p)
Did the car start on the first crank before you replaced those parts?
The reason I ask because there is an interesting article in the December Corvette Fever in the 'wear and tear' write in section.
The jist of this letter/reply concerns the programming of the 89 prom which delays producing injector pulses for seconds after cranking the engine. The author theorizes that this was done to cure a hot start problem with emisions testing and to remedy fuel injector leak problem on 85-88 cars which caused them to have excessive fuel on start-up.
My own 89 will sometimes start on first crank and always start on second.
The reason I ask because there is an interesting article in the December Corvette Fever in the 'wear and tear' write in section.
The jist of this letter/reply concerns the programming of the 89 prom which delays producing injector pulses for seconds after cranking the engine. The author theorizes that this was done to cure a hot start problem with emisions testing and to remedy fuel injector leak problem on 85-88 cars which caused them to have excessive fuel on start-up.
My own 89 will sometimes start on first crank and always start on second.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,444
Likes: 4
From: Hawthorne NJ
Re: Only starts on second try???? (1MoorTym)
It doesn't seem starter related...it cranks, it just won't turnover and start until second try. Don't know if it did it before "tune-up" because all was done within first week of ownership.
Injector pulsing seems like it could be the area to check, or should I consider two starts as normal operating procedure for these cars??
Injector pulsing seems like it could be the area to check, or should I consider two starts as normal operating procedure for these cars??
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,022
Likes: 37
From: SW Fla
Re: Only starts on second try???? (joseph p)
I wouldnt consider two starts as normal. Mine always starts on the first try no matter what. Or at least it did until my starter started crapping out on me.:)
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2022
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I know this thread started 21 years ago but I just picked up a 89 Corvette from distant relative. Car sat for 6 years. Running on 6 cylinders when I got it. Also the heater core was leaking real bad. Change the heater core ( not that bad of a job) and installed all new fuel injectors, plugs, cap,rotor, gas filter, fuel pump relay. Car runs great now. My car also starts only a second try. No matter if first start of day or it’s warmed up and I just turned it off. Fuel pressure is perfect. Does not bleed down. I get 40 psi when I turn key to on and pump goes on for 2 seconds. Did you ever find the cause? Just curious. It really doesn’t bother me that car starts on 2nd attempt.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,348
Likes: 322
From: San Antonio Tx
If I recall correctly the early ECM's did not fire the prime fuel pulses until after six ignition pulses. It was an annoyance especially on the first start of the day. I used to bump the starter, wait three seconds then had an instant start. When tuning I used to set it to prime on the first ignition pulse. Also if the injectors have been changed and the voltage offsets don't match, the voltage drop while cranking can cause a slight lean condition,. Check your battery voltage while cranking. Sometimes a new battery to replace a tired one makes a big difference.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 616
Likes: 118
From: Alpharetta GA
If I recall correctly the early ECM's did not fire the prime fuel pulses until after six ignition pulses. It was an annoyance especially on the first start of the day. I used to bump the starter, wait three seconds then had an instant start. When tuning I used to set it to prime on the first ignition pulse.
I can't help but laugh reading this.
disclaimer; 2/3 of my vehicles are GM products
