1985 won't start
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Florida
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
1985 won't start
I just replaced the battery, the starter seems to be turning over fine...
Any ideas why my little red won't start?
Could use some feedback so when I go to the shop, I don't get ripped off. I am a newbie with all of this.
Thanks!
Any ideas why my little red won't start?
Could use some feedback so when I go to the shop, I don't get ripped off. I am a newbie with all of this.
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6,605
Likes: 0
From: Wait 'til next year!!!!!! ---Emerald Coast of Florida
St. Jude Donor '10
let's start with fuel.... when you turn the key on..... but not to the crank position.. do you hear the fuel pump (whirring sound)?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6,605
Likes: 0
From: Wait 'til next year!!!!!! ---Emerald Coast of Florida
St. Jude Donor '10
also, on an 85, you may have triggered the security feature on the car which disables the starter. Try unlocking the driver's door with your key.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Saugus MA
i feel so bad for you, you have no idea
, im in the same prediciment myself funny, mines a red 85 as well, im just about outta the water with it tho, deff check your fuel pump, injectors! you would not believe how important even 1lb of loss of pressure in your pump or a slightly leaky injector can do to NOT make the car start....trust me it sucks to not know that in the begining.....hope this helps my friend!
, im in the same prediciment myself funny, mines a red 85 as well, im just about outta the water with it tho, deff check your fuel pump, injectors! you would not believe how important even 1lb of loss of pressure in your pump or a slightly leaky injector can do to NOT make the car start....trust me it sucks to not know that in the begining.....hope this helps my friend!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
85 wont start? Theres something wrong with it.......pull a plug wire and stick a good plug in it and ground it out to see if theres a spark. If theres a good spark, check a plug to see if its wet, if its dry theres no fuel. If theres no fuel push in the scharder valve to see if theres any pressure there, the valve looks like a tire air pressure valve.
You need igniton, compression, and fuel. I fall three are present the engine will run.
You need igniton, compression, and fuel. I fall three are present the engine will run.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Florida
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I will check on these tomorrow and let all of you know. I really really appreciate the feedback. I am no mechanic but will give it a try.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Let's check fuel pressure first. Attach a gauge to the schrader valve on the fuel rail, turn the key on, and post what the gauge reads. Watch it after the pump times out (2 seconds) and note if the pressure falls off.
Post the results of that test and we'll go from there.
Like Redwing said, they need 3 things to run.
1. Suitable compression.
2. A suitably strong spark delivered at the correct time.
3. The correct air / fuel ratio.
If those three conditions are met, the engine will run. Find which area is deficient, correct the deficiency, and the car will start. Troubleshoot, and use process of elimination. Don't replace any parts until some tests have been run.
Post the results of that test and we'll go from there.
Like Redwing said, they need 3 things to run.
1. Suitable compression.
2. A suitably strong spark delivered at the correct time.
3. The correct air / fuel ratio.
If those three conditions are met, the engine will run. Find which area is deficient, correct the deficiency, and the car will start. Troubleshoot, and use process of elimination. Don't replace any parts until some tests have been run.
Last edited by Frizlefrak; Sep 10, 2008 at 11:45 PM.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,004
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From: Tampa Florida
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
the hot rod is on the roll back...to the shop 
when he pulled her, i saw puddle of oil...oops..called the shop and asked for them to try to diagnose that first.
She is paid for and everyone tells me to move up to a newer model. My life is not ready for that and I do enjoy my car.
I am hopeful that I can get things address and fixed will not breaking the bank.
when he pulled her, i saw puddle of oil...oops..called the shop and asked for them to try to diagnose that first.
She is paid for and everyone tells me to move up to a newer model. My life is not ready for that and I do enjoy my car.
I am hopeful that I can get things address and fixed will not breaking the bank.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Florida
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
would you guys believe they called me and said she started right up?? What?? I would not call a wrecker if she would crank. Told them to keep looking at her.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Florida
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
PS-no car payments here for the vette or my honda. I believe the Dave Ramsey way...live debt free. Trying to get close to that and not having a car payment is a big relief. 
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Intermittent problems are the absolute worst to diagnose....the car will never malfunction when you want it to. Let us know what you find out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6,605
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From: Wait 'til next year!!!!!! ---Emerald Coast of Florida
St. Jude Donor '10
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 921
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
the hot rod is on the roll back...to the shop
when he pulled her, i saw puddle of oil...oops..called the shop and asked for them to try to diagnose that first.
She is paid for and everyone tells me to move up to a newer model. My life is not ready for that and I do enjoy my car.
I am hopeful that I can get things address and fixed will not breaking the bank.
when he pulled her, i saw puddle of oil...oops..called the shop and asked for them to try to diagnose that first.
She is paid for and everyone tells me to move up to a newer model. My life is not ready for that and I do enjoy my car.
I am hopeful that I can get things address and fixed will not breaking the bank.
So you have a pesky electrical problem. So you need valve cover gaskets. Buying a newer C4 is going to be any better because they have their own problems unique to their years.
I could mention "VATS", or "OPTI". Any of those ring a bell?
If you like the C4, fix and maintain the one you already have. It beats the he!! out of another car payment!
