ScaryFast

Ready to be baffled?

I have a mind numbing problem with the car staying running. I can start it, it runs for a second or two, then stalls.

First thought is fuel, but fuel pump works fine, pressure is good. Sometimes the car will run and I can drive it around.

Checked spark, have it at at least four plugs (didn't check all of them, doesn't seem to be the problem).

It has to be something electrical. I've been chasing a high current draw for days, I'm sure some of you have seen that thread.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...36&forum_id=48

Someone suggested that if my battery voltage falls below 10 V the ECM will shut the car down. This is possible, since something is playing hell with my battery right now. However, I checked it and it's at 12.4 V. I suppose that the drain from the starter could drop it below 10 briefly and cause the ECM to panic, but most cars are designed to handle these dips during ignition.

I thought maybe it was anti-theft since I've removed the PKE module, but the car's been running for months since I removed the interior before this mess started. Plus, doesn't that system keep it from even turning over?

What the hell could this be? I'm out of ideas for both my high draw and this odd intermittent starting issue. If the damn car starts, why would it shut itself off right after?

Coming soon...my next thread on what it takes to replace the factory ECM and wiring harness...

CentralCoaster

Sounds to me like a power signal to the fuel pump. It's intermittent.

The short starts are running off the primed system, but the pump isn't running on these I bet. Hook a test light to the fuel pump relay output, and see if it goes out just before the car dies.

It's not antitheft, that system disables the starter solenoid.

AGENT 86

Will it stay running with the gas pedal depressed ??

rons85

Unplug the MAF sensor - then try it. Quick check for the MAF being bad...

runner140*

You probably wrote it but I couldn't find it, any codes?

ScaryFast

Update:

Last night I put a charger on the battery (which was already at 12.4 V, remember?). It pumped 12 A through then slowly ramped down and within 10 minutes the battery was FUL according to my charger. Guess what? Car started up and ran flawlessly.

I ran it for 5 minutes, shut it off, and started it again. No problem.

Then I shot the MF with a 12 guage 100 times until I felt better.

So...it's obviously something with the electrical. If the battery is not 100% charged the car will not stay running. Once it's running, the alternator is fine and keeps it charged.

Any more thoughts on this nightmare other than carrying a long extension cord and a battery charger with me everywhere I go?

ScaryFast

Oh, and I tried to get the DTC's but I couldn't communicate with the vehicle. I have to trace which wire I cut from the OBD connector next.

It never ends.

CentralCoaster

Ask bogus, he had a similar problem. It was the battery and alternator I believe. He thought it was fuel at first too.