1987 Won't Start
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
1987 Won't Start
I just bought an 87 Vette,
I drove it home, it was missing pretty badly.
1. replaced the fuel pump, (had 30 psi, now I have 42)
2. replaced spark plugs, and wires
3. fuel pump comes on when cranking
4. I have plenty of spark at the spark plugs
5. I have trouble code 33 and 36 only, (maf sensor) (should start anyway)
6. I put the scanner on and the maf sensor reading does move when cranking
7. I installed a noid light on the injector plug and it does not light up or blink
8. there is 12 v at the injectors
9. When I apply 12v through a test light to the ppl/wht wire on the distributor, the noid light will blink and the fuel pump runs, with the ignition on of course
I obviously have a problem with firing my injectors
Does the security system disable the injectors on an 87? (My ignition key does have a resistor in it)
I have read (on the internet) that this could mean a bad ignition module in the distributor.
Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with this problem.
I don't have an 87 service manual yet.
I drove it home, it was missing pretty badly.
1. replaced the fuel pump, (had 30 psi, now I have 42)
2. replaced spark plugs, and wires
3. fuel pump comes on when cranking
4. I have plenty of spark at the spark plugs
5. I have trouble code 33 and 36 only, (maf sensor) (should start anyway)
6. I put the scanner on and the maf sensor reading does move when cranking
7. I installed a noid light on the injector plug and it does not light up or blink
8. there is 12 v at the injectors
9. When I apply 12v through a test light to the ppl/wht wire on the distributor, the noid light will blink and the fuel pump runs, with the ignition on of course
I obviously have a problem with firing my injectors
Does the security system disable the injectors on an 87? (My ignition key does have a resistor in it)
I have read (on the internet) that this could mean a bad ignition module in the distributor.
Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with this problem.
I don't have an 87 service manual yet.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Acton, MA 1990 ZF6 Coupe, Z51
Hey Gord, congrats on your purchase...
Sounds like the security system (VATS) to me, although your statements 7 & 8 conflict.....How worn is your ignition key, an older one can cause your problem, the reader in the ignition column senses too high resistance in your key pellet...
There is a two wire plug under the dash you can use to bypass the key to detirmine if this is the problem, wire color coding is different for different years, a service manual will help with this or maybe someone with an 87 will jump in...The VATS modules do go south, too...
Good luck..
Sounds like the security system (VATS) to me, although your statements 7 & 8 conflict.....How worn is your ignition key, an older one can cause your problem, the reader in the ignition column senses too high resistance in your key pellet...
There is a two wire plug under the dash you can use to bypass the key to detirmine if this is the problem, wire color coding is different for different years, a service manual will help with this or maybe someone with an 87 will jump in...The VATS modules do go south, too...
Good luck..
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,316
Likes: 246
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Congrats and welcome aboard. If it was a vats problem, you would not be able to crank the engine. Sounds like the ecm is not getting a reference from distributor. Here's a little reading material till you get a manual 
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/Code%2033.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/Code%2036.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/EC...%20Sensors.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/En...agram%2086.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/En...ButWontRun.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/Fu...l%20System.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/Ig...System-EST.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/Fu...mDiagnosis.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/agent86/Theft...ent%20Vats.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/Code%2033.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/Code%2036.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/EC...%20Sensors.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/En...agram%2086.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/En...ButWontRun.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/Fu...l%20System.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/Ig...System-EST.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/Fu...mDiagnosis.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/agent86/Theft...ent%20Vats.pdf
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
I'm glad to be here, seems like a lot of useful information here in this forum.
I had to bypass the vats on my 91, I do have the service manual so I was able to do it.
I know that I have key #10 resistance of 3740 ohms, I would like to jump it out also.
Can anyone tell me what the wire colors are and which connector at the base of the steering column it is?
I will dig into the reading, I want to get it running today.
I had to bypass the vats on my 91, I do have the service manual so I was able to do it.
I know that I have key #10 resistance of 3740 ohms, I would like to jump it out also.
Can anyone tell me what the wire colors are and which connector at the base of the steering column it is?
I will dig into the reading, I want to get it running today.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
As already said, you don't have a VATS problem. To bypass VATS (why? you want your vette stolen?) pull the hush panel above drivers feet. Locate two white wires that come out by the steering column and go to a 2 pin connector. The wires from the wiring harness (go to the VATS module) is where you connect your 3740 ohm resistor. Check for pulses on the purple/white wire from the distributor when cranking, this is the distributor reference. An ac voltmeter ought to see something. Borrow someones ECM and see if it will start. Borrow the same someones VATS module and see if it will start.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
If the engine cranks, it is not vats. Check both sides of the engine with the noid light. Occasionally, a driver goes bad in the ecm, resulting in 1 bank only firing. If one side works and the other doesn't that would confirm ecm being bad.
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: VA
I had this problem on my 87 vette about two weeks ago, although it started and ran for about 10 seconds and died. Prior to this the car sat for about 2 months, so I pulled all 8 plugs as the car was running pig rich and thought they might have been fouled. Anyway, I cleaned the plugs, checked for fuel and went to start it and nothing, next checked for spark, nothing, so I pulled the dist cap and found the rotor had loosened it self and came off, I replaced the rotor and she fired right up, so in closing sometimes it's the simple things that can cause a mishap, hope this helps you. 
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Acton, MA 1990 ZF6 Coupe, Z51
My bad...Agent 86 and jfb are correct, there is a starter disable relay w/ VATS, so this is not your problem..
However, if the ECM was not getting feedback pulses there should be no fuel pump operation while cranking....
Sounds like Pete K is onto something, this would explain 7 & 8....
However, if the ECM was not getting feedback pulses there should be no fuel pump operation while cranking....
Sounds like Pete K is onto something, this would explain 7 & 8....
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Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
It's Fixed
It turned out being the ingnition module in the distributor, 29.99. I replaced it and it fired right up. You're right about it not being vats, the starter would have been disabled, I will of course leave the vats alone.
Now all I have to do is replace exhaust manifold gaskets and the AIR pump.
Thanks all of you guys for answering so promptly!!]
I own 2 other vettes, 84 and 91, so of course you will be seeing me here on this forum from now on.
Mike 
Now all I have to do is replace exhaust manifold gaskets and the AIR pump.
Thanks all of you guys for answering so promptly!!]
I own 2 other vettes, 84 and 91, so of course you will be seeing me here on this forum from now on.
Mike
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,001
Likes: 1
From: sd
Glad to hear its fixed and welcome aboard! Now that your problem is fixed get the next peice of the puzzle from www.helminc.com and you'll be steps ahead for the next occurrence. The FSM is way better than any Chilton manual and the troubleshooting pages are highly detailed!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
one of the most important things here is posting what cured the original problem-that lets us all know what WEshould look at so
for posting the fix OH, andn BTW,for any having their ignition module checked-make sure they (whoever)
run it through at least 10 cycles to get it hot.
