MODs made, Now 88 Corvette won't start
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Shreveport Louisiana
MODs made, Now 88 Corvette won't start
I made the following changes and now the car won't start. I took apart everything down to the lower intake. I removed all the EGR equipment and installed the block off plates. I tucked the old connectors out of the way. I installed an AFPR, 1997 LT1 injectors. I removed the 9th injector and installed the plug at the end of the fuel rail and in the side of the intake runner (I got both from S&P) ans tucked away the old connector. I smoothed out the inner casting of the runners and inside the plenum. Lastly I installed the 1" inch TB spacer (also from S&P). I connected everything back up and the car just turns over and over, but won't start. I know I am getting fuel to the fuel rails because I installed a fuel pressure gauge to set the new fuel psi. The only thing I can think of is the 9th injector being the problem. I have heard of others taking it off and not having a problem. Do I need a new chip that deletes the Cold Start Ijector or what. Please Help!!
Thanks,
John
River City Corvette
Thanks,
John
River City Corvette
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
You are getting fuel pressure, but are you getting spark? Pull a plug wire and throw a screw driver in the plug boot and lay it on the engine so that the screw driver's handle is holding the metal shaft 1/8 to 1/4 inch from a metal surface. Then turn over the car and see if you get a spark. If not, check your wires. GOOD LUCk
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 325
From: San Antonio Tx
To check for spark I hook up a timing light and point it at the windshield so I can see it from the drivers seat. I also use an injector tester that will tell me if the injectors are pulsing. I deleted the cold start on my 86 because I have an lt4 intake. I programed the chip with the 89 bin file that doesn't use cold start. Should be able to start it without in warm weather.
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: Lady Lake FL
Since you have disabled the 9th injector, you need to have a new chip that adds in the extra fuel that the other injector was adding.I did this same thing on a '88 GTA and it won't start with the stock programming, I put in a chip with a bin file from a '89 and it fired right up. Unless you've left something unplugged, this should be all that is keeping it from starting. You could, just to check, put the extra injector back in and see if the car starts, then you would know for sure if that was the problem.
KC
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 792
Likes: 1
From: Stanfield NC
I disagree with those that think you need a new chip. I installed a Mini Ram on my 88 eliminating the 9th injector. The car needs to be cranked a few more times, but starts and runs fine. I have NOT installed a new chip nor had my chip re-programmed.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,789
Likes: 0
From: [Quote=WOEII] Is dried brown doodie powders man! [/Quote]
Occasionally my 88 without the cold start injector is hard to start and will flood. Opening the throttle a little bit while cranking will usually do the trick (think starting a carbed car). If you think it's flooded, try putting the gas pedal to the floor while you're cranking, just don't hold it there once it starts 
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,332
Likes: 262
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
I bet something may not be plugged in properly. Fuel pressure doesn't mean much if the injectors aren't firing. Use a noid light or a test light and check to see if the injectors are firing. One side of the injectors is always hot with key on and the other side gets the ground from the ECM. Once you have tested for spark and injector firing you'll be closer to finding the answer. Here is some info from my 86 manual.
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/En...ButWontRun.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/Fu...mDiagnosis.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/En...ButWontRun.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/Fu...mDiagnosis.pdf
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,966
Likes: 709
From: WI
My '88 starts fine without the CSI plugged in so it's not that. You could try starting fluid if you think it's to lean to start. I think the PCV line goes into the intake, to use for the spray? With the AFPR you can tune the larger injectors, so it's not that. What pressure is there when the car cranks? Did you take apart the distributor at all?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Shreveport Louisiana
I re-charged the car and tried the idea of the starter fluid in the PVC port. It never started, but a couple of times I got a small grumble when I let off the ignition key. I rechecked all of my electrical connections. The Only 3 still disconnected is the one to the EGR temp sensor at the back passenger side of the manifold, the main EGR sensor at the water neck at the front of the maifold and the 9th injectors connector. All of the other connectors are tight. I never took apart or disconnected the distributor, I just had the NEG side disconnected for safety. She still won't start I'm stumped.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 926
Likes: 2
From: chandler az
I just did this job all the way down to the deck.
engine top end tear down
Did you remember the connector under the manifold?
Did you remember the brake booster connection? That makes a huge vacuum leak. (ask me how I know)
Did you verify that you had spark?
You said you added the one inch spacer. Did you reposition the throttle cable mount? This is a long shot but you know if you are pressing on the throttle (which is what the ecm would sense if the throttle cable wasnt lengthened) the ECM will assume you are telling it that the engine is flooded and not provide any fuel.
engine top end tear down
Did you remember the connector under the manifold?
Did you remember the brake booster connection? That makes a huge vacuum leak. (ask me how I know)
Did you verify that you had spark?
You said you added the one inch spacer. Did you reposition the throttle cable mount? This is a long shot but you know if you are pressing on the throttle (which is what the ecm would sense if the throttle cable wasnt lengthened) the ECM will assume you are telling it that the engine is flooded and not provide any fuel.
