1992 corvette won't start
08-11-2018, 12:38 PM
#1
1992 corvette won't start
I have a 1992 corvette that I do not drive very often. It is garage kept. I do take it out of the garage at least twice a month and run the engine in the driveway until the oil shows a hot temp. The other day I was running the engine in my driveway for several minutes, as I always do, and the engine shut off. I thought it ran out of gas so I poured in 3 gal. of high test and try to start the car. It would crank properly and I am sure I can hear the fuel pump priming. Before starting the engine, I always wait until I hear the fuel pump stop. However, it still will not start. I checked the fuel rail and there is plenty of pressure. I am at a loss as to what it could be? I think perhaps I am not getting spark to the system. Any ideas where I should start looking? Thank you in advance, Frankdidit
08-12-2018, 08:57 AM
#7
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Oct 2004
Location: South-central Missouri
Posts: 6,314
Received 500 Likes
on
395 Posts
But, really...never assume that just because a part was replaced recently that it must be "good". Always start with a clean sheet (so to speak) and gather evidence:
Fuel - Air - Spark What is missing? Start "building a case" from there.
AND, based on it just suddenly shutting off and no start, the Opti-spark module would be my first suspect - especially since you already have checked fuel pressure. I'd be pulling a plug wire and inserting a spare spark plug (unless you have a NOID LIGHT) and grounding it while someone PRESSES THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR TO AVOID FLOODING THE ENGINE as they turn the key to START position. If there is no spark, then you can start there.
Just to add...IF after it cools the motor and it will now start, know that is a classic symptom of a failure of an electrical nature.
Last edited by Paul Workman; 08-12-2018 at 09:02 AM.
08-12-2018, 04:43 PM
#9
'92 Starting Problem
I have a 1992 corvette that I do not drive very often. It is garage kept. I do take it out of the garage at least twice a month and run the engine in the driveway until the oil shows a hot temp. The other day I was running the engine in my driveway for several minutes, as I always do, and the engine shut off. I thought it ran out of gas so I poured in 3 gal. of high test and try to start the car. It would crank properly and I am sure I can hear the fuel pump priming. Before starting the engine, I always wait until I hear the fuel pump stop. However, it still will not start. I checked the fuel rail and there is plenty of pressure. I am at a loss as to what it could be? I think perhaps I am not getting spark to the system. Any ideas where I should start looking? Thank you in advance, Frankdidit
The following users liked this post:
frankdidit (08-12-2018)
The following users liked this post:
frankdidit (08-14-2018)
08-14-2018, 06:01 PM
#12
Race Director
Need to pull the codes. . . look for DTC 36 (or 16). List
You can hear the fuel pump go on.
Put a noid light on the injectors; that will tell you if they're firing.
I'd assume that unless something catastrophic happened, you should still have compression (can't hurt to check though!)
Grab a spare spark plug, ground it by clamping it to something on the engine; crank and look for spark. When Opti-sparks **** the bed, a lot of times they'll still fire but it will be extremely intermittent and the spark will look week.
I've been through my shares of Opti's. They're a plague.
You can hear the fuel pump go on.
Put a noid light on the injectors; that will tell you if they're firing.
I'd assume that unless something catastrophic happened, you should still have compression (can't hurt to check though!)
Grab a spare spark plug, ground it by clamping it to something on the engine; crank and look for spark. When Opti-sparks **** the bed, a lot of times they'll still fire but it will be extremely intermittent and the spark will look week.
I've been through my shares of Opti's. They're a plague.
Last edited by RandomTask; 08-14-2018 at 06:02 PM.
The following users liked this post:
frankdidit (08-15-2018)