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What works choke on a 1988 Corvette?

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Old 11-14-2017, 01:09 PM
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Default What works choke on a 1988 Corvette?

1988 Corvette when it sits i have to spray ether in it to crank it.Then its fine for a few hours
Old 11-14-2017, 04:15 PM
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Check fuel, spark, and then I'd double check the readout from the computer for IAC counts and TPS voltage and just make sure the throttle stop screw wasn't misadjusted.

But I'd bet on fuel or spark. Buy a FP gauge, come back and tell us what it reads when you turn the key to Run, then how it behaves when you fire it.

I would pull a plug wire to see if I had spark but there are testers for this as well.
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Old 11-14-2017, 06:34 PM
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I'd also see if the plugs are old and nasty. Somehow get it running and see if it leaks from the plug wires in a dark garage with a water bottle spraying a fine mist AROUND the wires.

Beyond that, check the spark quality (must be solid blue), check the fuel pressure when you turn the key on, see if it holds that pressure and see what it does at WOT
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Old 11-14-2017, 06:38 PM
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The fact that either will get it going pretty much means you have a cold fuel delivery problem. The ignition system must be functioning or the either wouldn't help. Checking fuel pressure is the first place to start.
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Old 11-14-2017, 07:18 PM
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As Aklim siuggested, check the plugs. If too cold or fouled, they will have trouble starting a cold motor. I would check the engine coolant temperature sensor also.
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Old 11-14-2017, 11:03 PM
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Originally Posted by 383vett
As Aklim siuggested, check the plugs. If too cold or fouled, they will have trouble starting a cold motor. I would check the engine coolant temperature sensor also.


And to answer the specific question presented by the OP, the ECM (computer) commands the injector(s) to spray more fuel. In the case of the 85-88 Corvettes, the computer sprayed it's extra fuel via the 9th injector aka "cold start injector". So, it's possible that is clogged or bad.

If you Google "1988 Cold Start Injector Corvette", you'll find some threads on that subject too. But the first thing is to determine what temperature the computer "thinks" the engine is?

Last edited by GREGGPENN; 11-14-2017 at 11:04 PM.
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Old 11-14-2017, 11:18 PM
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I wonder how faulty ignition performance (for any reason) could fire either but not gasoline ?
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Old 11-15-2017, 12:45 AM
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Haven't some people say that they removed the CSI and. It made it harder to start. Not this hard though.
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Old 11-15-2017, 12:53 AM
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Originally Posted by PatternDayTrader
The fact that either will get it going pretty much means you have a cold fuel delivery problem. The ignition system must be functioning or the either wouldn't help. Checking fuel pressure is the first place to start.
Originally Posted by PatternDayTrader
I wonder how faulty ignition performance (for any reason) could fire either but not gasoline ?
It's ETHER.

Last edited by 383vett; 11-15-2017 at 12:55 AM.
Old 11-15-2017, 01:08 AM
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Nobody has answered the OP's question! There is no choke in a fuel injected car.

Can you hear the fuel pump run for about two seconds when you first turn on the ignition? A fuel pressure test should verify this issue.

Old 11-15-2017, 03:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Hot Rod Roy
Nobody has answered the OP's question! There is no choke in a fuel injected car.
Kinda thought I answered it back in post #6.
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Old 11-15-2017, 07:55 AM
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Originally Posted by 383vett
As Aklim siuggested, check the plugs. If too cold or fouled, they will have trouble starting a cold motor. I would check the engine coolant temperature sensor also.
Old 11-15-2017, 07:58 AM
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Default Engine coolant sensor

Originally Posted by Dirttracker
Where is the engine coolant sensor?I had a car years ago that had one for guage and one for computer.
Old 11-15-2017, 08:02 AM
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Originally Posted by 383vett
It's ETHER.
You don't happen to know where i can get a 400 sbc.Was gonna put one in my 80 vette but the block was no good.Got 6" rods,pistons and crank but no block.Thanks
Old 11-15-2017, 08:04 AM
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Originally Posted by GREGGPENN


And to answer the specific question presented by the OP, the ECM (computer) commands the injector(s) to spray more fuel. In the case of the 85-88 Corvettes, the computer sprayed it's extra fuel via the 9th injector aka "cold start injector". So, it's possible that is clogged or bad.

If you Google "1988 Cold Start Injector Corvette", you'll find some threads on that subject too. But the first thing is to determine what temperature the computer "thinks" the engine is?
Old 11-15-2017, 08:16 AM
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Originally Posted by 383vett
It's ETHER.
Lol I'm a little better at my spelling now.
Old 11-15-2017, 09:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Dirttracker
Where is the engine coolant sensor?I had a car years ago that had one for guage and one for computer.
We don't care what the gauge does. Get the computer one. That is how you know what the computer sees. With the thermometer, you know what the sensor should be reporting. Sensor is at 200 degrees and if the ECM doesn't see that, it will act according to what it sees. Maybe the wire is grounding somewhere or maybe the sensor is bad. Eliminate things one at a time

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To What works choke on a 1988 Corvette?

Old 11-15-2017, 01:15 PM
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Originally Posted by GREGGPENN
Kinda thought I answered it back in post #6.
Old 11-15-2017, 01:19 PM
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On an '88?

i'd say the TPI
Old 11-15-2017, 05:51 PM
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Originally Posted by ihatebarkingdogs
Negative, Ghost Rider.
The Cold Start injector is NOT ECM-controlled. It is only powered when the key is in START, and the thermo-time switch grounds it. The lower the temperature, the longer the time switch will allow injection before it shuts off to prevent flooding.


In the 88, the cold start injector has its own fuse behind the radio in a 4-fuse aux holder. If hot restarts are OK, and only the cold start is affected, I would check this fuse.
Thanks for the clarification. As an 89 owner, I've read lots of things on the differences between it and earlier TPIs but hadn't heard that before.

Is the "termo-time" switch a separate switch vs. the temp switch in the front of the (my) intake?

I think the OP was on the right track trying to figure out HOW TPIs get more fuel when cold.



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