Break Down! It finally happened...
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Martinsburg West Virginia
Break Down! It finally happened...
I start the vette and drive 3 miles down the highway. I come to the off-ramp and while sitting at the red light, the idle starts to get a little rough. I turn the A/C off and it gets worse. The engine then quits.
I drift to the side of the road and try cranking her over. Cranks really nice, but won't turn over. Fuel? I wait for awhile and the engine starts! It runs for about 2 minutes and when I put it in gear, it stops and won't start again!!
I have the car towed (I have a picture for later...) to a garage that I find out is CLOSED for vacation the next week.... damn. I wait the night, go to the car and again it starts and runs for about 3 or 4 minutes. I don't put 'er in gear, but it then stops just like before.
So my car is sitting in this garage lot and I need some help! Can anyone give me some?
Thanks!
I drift to the side of the road and try cranking her over. Cranks really nice, but won't turn over. Fuel? I wait for awhile and the engine starts! It runs for about 2 minutes and when I put it in gear, it stops and won't start again!!
I have the car towed (I have a picture for later...) to a garage that I find out is CLOSED for vacation the next week.... damn. I wait the night, go to the car and again it starts and runs for about 3 or 4 minutes. I don't put 'er in gear, but it then stops just like before.
So my car is sitting in this garage lot and I need some help! Can anyone give me some?
Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 2
From: Prather, California -1990 ZR-1 White/Flame Red- -SOLD!!-
Sounds like a fuel problem. Especially since it starts up again after you let it sit. You should hook up a fuel pressure guage to the fuel rail and watch the fuel pressure while its running to see if it drops just before the engine quits. Maybe your fuel pump is going bad, or you might have a clogged fuel filter. Just my 2 cents. 
When you said the idle was getting rough, did it sound like it was running out of gas?
When you said the idle was getting rough, did it sound like it was running out of gas?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
From: Mount Clemens Michigan
sounds like a Fuel Pump issue... it sounds as if its some sort of Fuel issue for sure... check your fuel relays, check your pump, check to see if any codes have been thrown. check injector pulse...
in my opinion i would go through all the fuel stuff first... this is exactly what happened with my 89 the first couple months i had it.. i replaced the relay and i replaced the pump and BOOM running again...
in my opinion i would go through all the fuel stuff first... this is exactly what happened with my 89 the first couple months i had it.. i replaced the relay and i replaced the pump and BOOM running again...
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland Tennessee
I know this may sound stupid but does the car have sufficent amont of gas in it.Our c4's a notorious for gauges being wrong.If it does then it sounds like a fuel pump or relay issue..Good Luck keep us posted alot of smart people around here to help you out....
Also post this in the regional forums you might find someone nearby that will lend a hand..
Also post this in the regional forums you might find someone nearby that will lend a hand..
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Martinsburg West Virginia
Ah, yes, the ignition module. I read a thread about that. I also thought about the guage not reading correctly. I had just filled up the day before and it still had a healthy amount of gas.
I'm still leaning toward buying the relay, trying that and then the fuel pump if that doesn't do it. If that's not it, I'm going to let the mechanic take it from there. Oh, crap..
Anyway, I'll keep you posted on the outcome!
Thanks
I'm still leaning toward buying the relay, trying that and then the fuel pump if that doesn't do it. If that's not it, I'm going to let the mechanic take it from there. Oh, crap..
Anyway, I'll keep you posted on the outcome!
Thanks
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Martinsburg West Virginia
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 10,878
Likes: 1
St. Jude Donor '07
Don't feel bad. I have a friend whose car is named Cleopatra. It's black & sexy. Every man wants his hands on and in it. You hear it coming miles away. It turns every head when it goes by. It is dripping with power and allure. AND it often returns home on a covered platform on another man's back.
To the point:
Do you hear the fuel pump kick in when you turn the key forward to the 'on' position? Do you hear a click from the relays on the firewall?
Filters and relays are cheap and easy to do. Start there.
If you hear the relay click, but not the pump, check the fuse. If the fuse is OK, you might have a bad pump. Pull it from the top. Don't drop the tank like the FSM says.
Pull the vac line off the pressure regulator under the plenum. Is fuel in the line? That would mean a bad diaphram. ~$80. Get the AFR while you're at it and set it to ~45psi primed.
Keep us posted!
To the point:
Do you hear the fuel pump kick in when you turn the key forward to the 'on' position? Do you hear a click from the relays on the firewall?
Filters and relays are cheap and easy to do. Start there.
If you hear the relay click, but not the pump, check the fuse. If the fuse is OK, you might have a bad pump. Pull it from the top. Don't drop the tank like the FSM says.
Pull the vac line off the pressure regulator under the plenum. Is fuel in the line? That would mean a bad diaphram. ~$80. Get the AFR while you're at it and set it to ~45psi primed.
Keep us posted!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,356
Likes: 2
From: No HOA, New Hampshire
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Martinsburg West Virginia
I did hear the pump when I turned the key. I don't ever remember hearing the relay. I don't think I've ever heard the relay.....
Hmmm.
Going to order the relay.
I also have a guage on the fuel rail. The wife watched it come up to full pressure when the car would start, but we didn't watch it when it quit. Damn. I'll go take a look tonight!
I miss my car, man.
Hmmm.
Going to order the relay.
I also have a guage on the fuel rail. The wife watched it come up to full pressure when the car would start, but we didn't watch it when it quit. Damn. I'll go take a look tonight!
I miss my car, man.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 10,878
Likes: 1
St. Jude Donor '07
Leave the guage attached and tape it to the windshield. Prime it. Note the pressure. Start it. Note the pressure. Let it idle for a while (or until it quits). Note the pressure. If it doesn't die, rev it at ~ 1500 and note the pressure as it dies.
If the pressure stays above 30-35 when it dies, it's not likely fuel related.
Could just be something goofy when it hits closed loop.
BTW: If your pump engages, it might not be the relays. Not a bad idea to replace them and the filter, since they're both cheap. It eliminates a possibility.
If the pressure stays above 30-35 when it dies, it's not likely fuel related.
Could just be something goofy when it hits closed loop.
BTW: If your pump engages, it might not be the relays. Not a bad idea to replace them and the filter, since they're both cheap. It eliminates a possibility.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Martinsburg West Virginia
I was thinking the same thing about the fuel pump relay. I guess because it was so cheap to replace. You know, start with the least expensive first, then move on from there kinda thing.
I know some guys here carry spare parts in the car.
Maybe it's time for a good thread on what extra replacement parts people carry with them in case of breakdowns.
I know some guys here carry spare parts in the car.
Maybe it's time for a good thread on what extra replacement parts people carry with them in case of breakdowns.
