C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Cold starting problems

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Old Nov 12, 2006 | 06:09 PM
  #1  
justpapaw's Avatar
justpapaw
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Default Cold starting problems

Corvetter's greetings! Just found this forum and got lots of questions for you smart folks. I'll attack only one at a time. I have an 89 Coupe, six speed that will not start when the temp goes below aproximately 45 degrees. Turns over great but not a single hit. Shoot starting fluid through the throttle body and it starts right up, and will start great till it sits for 8 hours or so and cold soaks. I was told the coolant sensor was bad, replaced it and no difference. (How I long for a manual choke!)
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Old Nov 12, 2006 | 08:22 PM
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It's time to break out the FSM and start following the trouble shooting charts. The three most common causes are fuel pressure bleeding off, a defective ECT sensor, and a bad fuel pressure relay. All these causes can be diagnosed and components tested before you start buying parts.

RACE ON!!!
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Old Nov 12, 2006 | 09:09 PM
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Definitely check the fuel pressure. I had a similar problem, wouldn't start cold on the first try (usually would catch on the third). If you hook a fuel pressure gage to the fuel rail and turn the car on (don't crank it), the fuel pump will cut on for 2 seconds and the pressure should go up to about 45ish psi. If it starts to bleed off rather quickly (mine bled to 0 psi in about 5 seconds) after that 2 seconds is up, then you have a leak somewhere. Mine was an injector.
There is a great flow chart on page 6E3-A-19 of the service manual that describes the fuel system diagnosis, but of course, I'd be sure to test everything (not just fuel). Parts get expensive quick.
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 08:58 AM
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Test your fuel delivery
Are there any codes stored ??
Here's some reading from my 86 manual. Should be very close to 89 with the exception of the cold start valve.
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/En...ButWontRun.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/Fu...mDiagnosis.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/Co...0View%2086.pdf
http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/No...it%20Check.pdf
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