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Start problems ...any thoughts please?

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Old Oct 9, 2014 | 11:31 AM
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Default Start problems ...any thoughts please?

I posted about my no start problems before. the engine cranks over but doesn't start. it was doing it intermittently at a frequent interval leaving me stranded. the dealership replaced the ECM and it has done much better however every other day or so it will not start up and when I leave it for an hour or so it will start up ok. It will do it when it is hot or cold...doesn't seem to matter. the ECM was remanufactured, (it's hard to find a new one now), I'm wondering if it could be a bad ECM again. Has anyone else ran up against this problem? thanks in advance for your help!
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Old Oct 9, 2014 | 01:40 PM
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Lets check spark. Is there spark? Fuel pressure? Are the injectors original?
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Old Oct 9, 2014 | 02:08 PM
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I really helps to post the year and model of the car. A no start on a stick shift 90 ZR-1 can be much different than an automatic 84.
You can diagnose this yourself by purchasing the appropriate factory service manual (FSM) and following the "no start" flowchart that is included in the book or CD.
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Old Oct 9, 2014 | 02:20 PM
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IIRC, it was an 88. 4+3 trans
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Old Oct 9, 2014 | 02:29 PM
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I'd be wanting to see fuel pressure when you're cranking and it doesn't start.....of course the advice to follow the fsm chart is the best for you...
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Old Oct 10, 2014 | 10:19 AM
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Originally Posted by playsdixie
I'd be wanting to see fuel pressure when you're cranking and it doesn't start.....of course the advice to follow the fsm chart is the best for you...
I assume FSM means fuel, spark, and M?. It has always done it to me when I'm alone. If it does it when I'm with someone I can pull a plug wire and ground it while they try to start the car. I remember that from the "old days" when I did my own mechanical work on pre '70 vehicles. I'm almost 70 now and it's been a while! I'm still able to get in and out of them...lol! I have a bump starter with alligator clips but I'm not sure how to hook it up to one of these vettes. I used to connect it to the solenoid on the older cars and it was easy to get at. I sometimes even jumped across it with a pair of pliers........ahh the good old days! I is an '88 4+3
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Old Oct 10, 2014 | 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by spartangreek
I assume FSM means fuel, spark, and M?. It has always done it to me when I'm alone. If it does it when I'm with someone I can pull a plug wire and ground it while they try to start the car. I remember that from the "old days" when I did my own mechanical work on pre '70 vehicles. I'm almost 70 now and it's been a while! I'm still able to get in and out of them...lol! I have a bump starter with alligator clips but I'm not sure how to hook it up to one of these vettes. I used to connect it to the solenoid on the older cars and it was easy to get at. I sometimes even jumped across it with a pair of pliers........ahh the good old days! I is an '88 4+3
thanks,
spartangreek
Factory Shop Manual
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Old Oct 10, 2014 | 01:14 PM
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Originally Posted by aklim
Factory Shop Manual
gee I guess I'll have to order one
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Old Oct 10, 2014 | 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by spartangreek
gee I guess I'll have to order one
Ebay
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Old Oct 10, 2014 | 01:30 PM
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Originally Posted by spartangreek
I remember that from the "old days" when...I used to connect it to the solenoid on the older cars and it was easy to get at. I sometimes even jumped across it with a pair of pliers........ahh the good old days!
Same thing today. If it's intermittent,
Jack it up, get under it and attach a wire w/a ring connector to the small post on the starter solenoid. Run that wire (in a safe way) up to an accessible place above the engine, and secure it. Maybe make it long enough to reach the battery.

When your symptom occurs, leave key on, in neutral, brake on, get out, open hood, touch your wire to B+ and the engine will crank...just like the old days. Now you can check spark and fuel pressure when you're alone.
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Old Oct 12, 2014 | 05:50 PM
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Do you hear the fuel pump prime the system. I had similar problem and it was the fuel pump relay.

Last edited by 88JDO; Oct 12, 2014 at 05:51 PM. Reason: .
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Old Oct 12, 2014 | 05:59 PM
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Originally Posted by 88JDO
Do you hear the fuel pump prime the system. I had similar problem and it was the fuel pump relay.
Might be better if you take a fuel pressure gauge and take a run
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Old Oct 12, 2014 | 09:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Tom400CFI
Same thing today. If it's intermittent,
Jack it up, get under it and attach a wire w/a ring connector to the small post on the starter solenoid. Run that wire (in a safe way) up to an accessible place above the engine, and secure it. Maybe make it long enough to reach the battery.

When your symptom occurs, leave key on, in neutral, brake on, get out, open hood, touch your wire to B+ and the engine will crank...just like the old days. Now you can check spark and fuel pressure when you're alone.
that is great info thanks! I assume touching the wire to B+ means the positive terminal of the battery. Excuse my ignorance here. also I will have to listen more carefully for the fuel pump. my old ears are getting a case of tinitis and I usually hear what sounds like a low growl for about 2 seconds when it starts. I'm not sure I hear that when it doesn't. Is it possible that the relay can work sometimes and not others? I ordered an ignition module and accel coil to put in it just for "whatever". It's something I can do on my own. I noticed in Ecklers there is also something called a distributor terminal board. I may get that too. those items will about cover every possible electrical item because the previous owner replaced everything else! I smell fuel when it won't start so I expect no spark but will definitely run the wire and check it. the dealer also said it is very likely the remanufactured ECM they installed could be faulty. thanks!
spartangreek
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Old Oct 12, 2014 | 11:15 PM
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Yes, B+ is the battery positive terminal.

If you can't hear the pump, that is where a pressure gauge can help you see what is going on. It is possible for a fuel pump relay to work intermittently, but the car should start eventually...pump powered by the oil pressure switch.

Looking forward to hearing what you find...
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Old Oct 13, 2014 | 02:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Tom400CFI
Yes, B+ is the battery positive terminal.

If you can't hear the pump, that is where a pressure gauge can help you see what is going on. It is possible for a fuel pump relay to work intermittently, but the car should start eventually...pump powered by the oil pressure switch.

Looking forward to hearing what you find...
I found a used shop manual for my '88 on amazon for $69. There was two for sale one was in better condition for $125 but the cheaper one looked like it will do fine. the vette started right up twice this morning. it is a real mind twister. I will need to order a fuel pressure hose/guage tester. I saw one in Ecklers for $49. When I get the new coil and ignition module I'll install them and see what happens. Have you ever installed any of the performance chips and if so what was your take on them. when I bought my first '88 4+3, new, the dealer put one in for me and it did make a difference in acceleration. the service manager was a friend of mine and he put a different kind in not the usual that was used back then and I don't remember the details on it.
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Old Oct 13, 2014 | 02:22 PM
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pretty sure you can get a guage and hose at a auto parts store for a lot less than 50 bucks
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To Start problems ...any thoughts please?





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