Well its been unseasonably (sp?) cold here in FL lately (low 30's). This morning the vette won't start at all. Full power to everything; it just turns over and there's no fire. Any ideas? Unfortunately I had to get to work right away, so I drove my Durango in. Its a 1991 TPI motor, automatic transmission. I haven't had any starting issues to this point, and the fuel filter should be ok as I havent had any surging or "chugging" at all. PLus it never gets too low on gas and I only use 93 in it.
Again any help would be greatly appreciated!

Devon

 

Just because the battery has enough power to turn it over doesn't mean that it is putting out enough volts to run the computer too. I am not certain but I have been told you need about 11 volts to the comp while the engine is turning to start an LT1. I know you've got a L98 though so YMMV.

Rotation: ok (Was it spinning at the same speed as normal?)
Spark: Verify that you're getting spark at whatever wire is easy to reach.
Fuel: You need both good fuel and fuel pressure. Test the pressure. Drain out some fuel from the bottom of the car at the filter and look for water. A bud vase will work. If there is water you'll see it seperate into gas on top water on bottom.
Air: make sure there's nothing blocking the intake.
Compression: I doubt that you lost enough compression from one day to the next to make a difference.

Many years ago I had an Olds that broke the camshaft's socket where the timing gear's bolt screwed in. I found that by observing that the rotor button did not spin. Last year I had a jeep break a timing set that put the valves in the wrong orientation to the crank. Both of these happened on cold start mornings.

I really suspect your battery is the cause here.

BTW I was really disapointed in the Jeep because it only had 210k on the clock and it was starting to give me problems

 

I would check fuel pressure to start with. Turn the key on and go to the schrader valve on the passenger side fuel rail. A fuel pressure gauge would be nice to have to verify fuel pressure, but you can just press on the valve with a screwdriver to see if fuel comes out under pressure. Yes or no?

Check for spark as stated. If you have both spark and fuel pressure, then check for injector pulses.

 

I heard it on the phone, car sounds fine, just not firing, sounded like maybe fuel? I know the car needs plugs/wires. It never had any issues before firing off (he got the car from me) but nothing wanted to fire easily this morning here, it was in the 20s last night. I know it's not that cold, but it sure is for FL lol

 

Thanks guys. I'll check the schrader valve tonight when I get home. I'll go ahead and pull the plugs tomorrow also. If I get the chance I guess i'll do a full tune up asap on it. I just hope this is an easy fix for me.

 

Got home late last night and couldn't find the schrader valve for anything! It def has spark (wife shocked me as I pulled the boot off...thanks hun). The battery is pretty low now, but was a new battery before it died. I mean a few months old tops. I can hear the pump prime, and there is no odor of fuel under the hood.

 

I do suspect the battery, the colder it gets the less ampherage it puts out.

But check the normal, check for spark, fuel pressure, double check distributor connections, etc.

The shrader valve is on the fuel rail.

 

Will start on starting fluid.

Where's the relay for the fp? Any pics of location?

 

Should be right next to the brake power booster, underneath the wiper motor housing. Driverside (just to be absolutely clear)

 

Thanks, I hope this does it. Part is cheap. Under $10. So hope it fixes it! Its been a week since I've been able to drive it