Help!! A 94 ZF Vette, about 79K miles. I was driving down the freeway Saturday and went to pass a car. When I hit the gas...nothing. No power. Looked down, tach read 0 and after a sec or two the "service engine soon" light came on. Pulled off the road to take a look see. Everything appeared normal. Tried starting the car but it just turned and turned like it wasn't getting any spark or fuel (full tank of freash gas). It was strange. Car was running great then it wasn't there. No stumble or rough running, sputtering, coughing...nothing. Had to tow it back with a strap (either that or leave it for an extended period and hope the vultures don't circle to quickly). On the tow home with ignition on ASR light comes on then after a bit goes out...on/off repeatedly. Get the car home unscathed. Check for fuel at the intake. Fuel present in the rails (no pressure gauge to measure pressure with). Pull a spark plug wire no arc present. Pulled a few more...no arcing when trying to start. Removed coil and ignition control module for a test...Pass. Reinstalled coil/module. Left the hood cracked overnight (duh) needless to say, battery dead now so I can't try to flash the puter. Have to wait until battery is freash. Kinda wierd...clicking noise coming from passenger side dash with ignition off and key out. So, anyone have any ideas where I should focus my efforts next? Besides charging my battery Car is basically stock with a few exceptions (all mods done within past 6 months):

-relocate IAT
-replace temp sending unit (195 on/175 off)
-replace thermastat (open @ 160)/hoses
-new plugs(Bosch)/wires(MSD)/coil(MSD)
-add MSD 6A

Am well aware of the "delicate" nature of the Opti. Was VERY careful not to splash around with the thermastat and hoses during change. Carefully drained system and placed a mountain of towels around the housing before I cracked it open. Not more then a drop of coolant got away.

Was hoping that flashing the puter would at least give me a general idea of where to look. However...

So, ANY ideas, input, info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Slem

 

Since you lost power on the road AND ran the battery dead, no stored codes will be in the computer. There is a fusible link that supplies power to the computer and if this link is open circuit, then you will be able to crank the engine but there will be no spark and the fuel injectors will not be pulsed. You can put a noid light (available at parts store) or use a low power 12v lamp like the side marker lamp across an injector socket while cranking. If the computer is working, the lamp will pulse during cranking. On a 94, I do not know what else is run by this fusible link, and it is possible that the electrical items you noticed that quit may recieve power from this fusible link. When the battery is charged back up you can measure all the fuses in the fuse block to see which have no power and using the 94 circuit diagram decide if a fusible link is your problem.

 

Thanks. The battery isn't completely dead...yet. Still has enough juice for lights, radio, idiot lights, (no LCD display though) etc. Not enough juice to turn the starter either. If I somehow get enough life back into the battery will the puter tell me anything or will I still have to check circuts like you suggested?

 

If the fusible link that supplies power to the computer is open circuit, then any stored error codes are lost. I would try to retrieve any codes, but the error codes don't include open fusible links. You need to do some circuit tracing to find out where the power is interupted to the dead circuits.

 

OK, thanks! I'm on it. If you see a hammer flying across the street you'll know I haven't found the problem!

 

ACDelco Distributor Terminal Board Links Wiring Harness to Ignition Module

Failure of This Part Will Leave You Stranded

Replacement Suggested Every 75,000 Miles


my two cents
Good luck and keep up the good work.