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

Starting Problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 12, 2007 | 11:45 AM
  #1  
biglou71's Avatar
biglou71
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,099
Likes: 0
From: Springfield PRoP
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Default Starting Problem

Hi all, i have an 88 coupe, 2 weeks ago I replaced the Plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor, and coil. It ran great for about 8 days. Then last sunday, it just wouldnt start, nor did I hear the fuel pump prime. Having researched on here, I decided to just replace the crank fuse, fuel pump relay and fuel pump and be done with it. So today, I do all this, and...... It just cranks, no start. And yes, I now hear the fuel pump.

So question is, whats next?

Thanks

Lou
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2007 | 12:18 PM
  #2  
jfb's Avatar
jfb
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Default

Engines require spark and spark at the right time, fuel and air and in the correct ratio, and compression in order to start and run. First, recover any error codes if there are any. Next, use your timing light while someone cranks to see if you have spark and spark at the right time. Next, put a fuel pressure gauge on the shrader valve on the end of the fuel rail and see if you have pressure and if it holds up for a long time with the ignition turned off. Rapid decay indicates possible leaking injector/s which cause a too rich condition to start. Put a noid light (available at parts stores) or a low power 12v lamp like a 194 side marker lamp across an unplugged injector socket to see if the light pulses during cranking proving the injectors are being pulsed by the ECM. Remove the flexible coupling on the MAF and try a start to see if the air filter is clogged preventing enough air to start. Unplug the MAF and try a start (defective MAF). Run a compression test.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2007 | 12:29 PM
  #3  
rick lambert's Avatar
rick lambert
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
Default

jfb covered most of it...as usual you may want to check your injector fuses as well.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2007 | 12:32 PM
  #4  
InHot's Avatar
InHot
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by biglou71
Hi all, i have an 88 coupe, 2 weeks ago I replaced the Plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor, and coil. It ran great for about 8 days. Then last sunday, it just wouldnt start, nor did I hear the fuel pump prime. Having researched on here, I decided to just replace the crank fuse, fuel pump relay and fuel pump and be done with it. So today, I do all this, and...... It just cranks, no start. And yes, I now hear the fuel pump.

So question is, whats next?

Thanks

Lou
Looks like you just threw parts at it. What kind of troubleshooting did you do?
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2007 | 12:49 PM
  #5  
biglou71's Avatar
biglou71
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,099
Likes: 0
From: Springfield PRoP
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Default

Ok, no codes stored.. However, either my timing light is busted or I am getting no spark pulse at all. When hooked up the light didnt even try to flash.

So what does that indicate? I have done routine stuff before, but this is going further than I have ventured.

Thanks again

Well, the plugs, wires, cap and rotor were all just me doing routine stuff that I felt could be needed on a used car with 165k on it. The fuel related items were from things I read on here, IE not hearing the fuel pump prime, which I did before.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2007 | 01:22 PM
  #6  
rick lambert's Avatar
rick lambert
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
Default

Did you replace the coil? if so, did you install the ground strap?
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2007 | 02:09 PM
  #7  
biglou71's Avatar
biglou71
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,099
Likes: 0
From: Springfield PRoP
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Default

Yup, replaced the coil and installed the ground strap.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2007 | 02:11 PM
  #8  
Da Mail Man's Avatar
Da Mail Man
Safety Car
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,845
Likes: 30
Default

.....what about the ignition module under the distributor cap?
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 12, 2007 | 02:28 PM
  #9  
InHot's Avatar
InHot
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Default

Put the timing light on another car so you will know if it works.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2007 | 02:32 PM
  #10  
Da Mail Man's Avatar
Da Mail Man
Safety Car
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,845
Likes: 30
Default

Originally Posted by biglou71
Ok, no codes stored.. However, either my timing light is busted or I am getting no spark pulse at all. When hooked up the light didnt even try to flash.

So what does that indicate? I have done routine stuff before, but this is going further than I have ventured.

Thanks again

Well, the plugs, wires, cap and rotor were all just me doing routine stuff that I felt could be needed on a used car with 165k on it. The fuel related items were from things I read on here, IE not hearing the fuel pump prime, which I did before.
re: timing light...hold a wire close to the block/bolt and have someone crank the car...you should have a spark...
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2007 | 02:52 PM
  #11  
InHot's Avatar
InHot
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Default

I think your best optition is to buy a FSM and follow the troubleshooting guide for "Cranks but won't start." www.helminc.com
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Starting Problem





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:10 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE