HELP: Garaged 93 Corvette won't start
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Joined: Sep 2001
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From: NEwhere Ohio
HELP: Garaged 93 Corvette won't start
I start my stored Corvette about once a week.
I went in to start it today, and it started and ran rough for about 20 seconds at low idle RPM, and then died.
I tried to restart it, and it acts like it is going to start for a split second, then dies. Battery is new. Opti spark is new . Fuel filter is new. I didn't see anything obviously wrong when I looked under the hood (like a ignition coil wire off or anything)
Has anybody had this happen to them? I will say this....a throttle bytpass hose leaked about 2 months ago, I believe on my alternator, and possibly the brand new vented opti causing either the alternator to short out, or <gasp> maybe a short around the distributor. I replaced the leaking bypass hose, and an hour later the car started. I drove the car almost every day for a month after that before putting it up for the winter....
The garage the car is stored in is not temperature controlled, and its recently dropped into the low 20's here....
Does anybody have any suggestions
I went in to start it today, and it started and ran rough for about 20 seconds at low idle RPM, and then died.
I tried to restart it, and it acts like it is going to start for a split second, then dies. Battery is new. Opti spark is new . Fuel filter is new. I didn't see anything obviously wrong when I looked under the hood (like a ignition coil wire off or anything)
Has anybody had this happen to them? I will say this....a throttle bytpass hose leaked about 2 months ago, I believe on my alternator, and possibly the brand new vented opti causing either the alternator to short out, or <gasp> maybe a short around the distributor. I replaced the leaking bypass hose, and an hour later the car started. I drove the car almost every day for a month after that before putting it up for the winter....
The garage the car is stored in is not temperature controlled, and its recently dropped into the low 20's here....
Does anybody have any suggestions
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,674
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From: NEwhere Ohio
Re: HELP: Garaged 93 Corvette won't start (1991C4)
I just got down unplugging and examining every 'vital' fuse on both the passenger area, and the maxi fuse block located behind the battery.
All fuses look good, none are blown. After plugging all the fuses back in, I still have the same problem....It won't start.
This is probably the coldest weather I have ever tried to start it in (its only like 25F) I have a 160F thermostat, and a throttle body bypass....could these be problems?
I am going to try unplugging the battery overnight....Hope this does something, although I'd like to know 'what' it does.
As for if its getting fuel. I don't know...How will I know?, I smell some gas from me trying to start it.....
Tomorrow I might try disconnecting an ignition wire and see if I am getting spark.....
If anybody has had a similar problem, please let me know!
All fuses look good, none are blown. After plugging all the fuses back in, I still have the same problem....It won't start.
This is probably the coldest weather I have ever tried to start it in (its only like 25F) I have a 160F thermostat, and a throttle body bypass....could these be problems?
I am going to try unplugging the battery overnight....Hope this does something, although I'd like to know 'what' it does.
As for if its getting fuel. I don't know...How will I know?, I smell some gas from me trying to start it.....
Tomorrow I might try disconnecting an ignition wire and see if I am getting spark.....
If anybody has had a similar problem, please let me know!
Thread Starter
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From: NEwhere Ohio
Re: HELP: Garaged 93 Corvette won't start (dizwiz24)
I just tried spraying starter fluid in the intake hose by pulling out a sensor (temp?) on the passenger side, and spraying it through the hole....
It was dead. The starter fluid had no effect whatsoever. I mean, normally cars are like boom! they start (or at least stumble)with starter fluid, but not this car : (
The last time I started the car was X-mas day, and I didn't do anything special other than give it a couple quick revs (probably no higher than 5000) to clear it out.
Tomorrow I am going to pull an ignition wire and put in an old spark plug into the ignition wire, crank the engine, and have a friend watch it to see if it sparks. That way I'll know if the ignition system is giving it juice.
-Dave
It was dead. The starter fluid had no effect whatsoever. I mean, normally cars are like boom! they start (or at least stumble)with starter fluid, but not this car : (
The last time I started the car was X-mas day, and I didn't do anything special other than give it a couple quick revs (probably no higher than 5000) to clear it out.
Tomorrow I am going to pull an ignition wire and put in an old spark plug into the ignition wire, crank the engine, and have a friend watch it to see if it sparks. That way I'll know if the ignition system is giving it juice.
-Dave
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,535
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From: Rochester NY
Re: HELP: Garaged 93 Corvette won't start (dizwiz24)
your coil is bad. When you try to pull a plug and crank it over to see if you have any spark. you will probably see some sparks but very weak that is why your car won't start or can stay idle. That has happend to me in the pass. Replace new coil. Its fire right up. Good luck
Bruce
93LT1 Conv w/ZF6
top end mods
jetted 150hpNX
Bruce
93LT1 Conv w/ZF6
top end mods
jetted 150hpNX
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
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Re: HELP: Garaged 93 Corvette won't start (dizwiz24)
I just tried spraying starter fluid in the intake hose by pulling out a sensor (temp?) on the passenger side, and spraying it through the hole....
BTW, if you crank it too much with now spark it's really easy to foul a set of plugs, so you might have to fight that after you replace the coil.
[Modified by Nathan Plemons, 7:58 AM 12/29/2001]
Thread Starter
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From: NEwhere Ohio
Re: HELP: Garaged 93 Corvette won't start (dizwiz24)
New update :
I took off the ignition coil wire at the distributor end, and hooked up an old lawn mower spark plug in it. I cranked the engine, and the test spark plug sparked....somewhat eratically (not bright blue each time).
I then put the ignition coil wire back on the distributor, and disconnected a spark plug wire from a spark plug. I put the dummy lawn mower spark plug into it, and cranked the engine. At first it didn't spark, and then I realized I needed to ground the spark plug so I hooked a wire to it, and a metal part of the engine. Sure enough it sparked.....So I think the opti is working.
Maybe the ignition coil is getting weak.....? All I know is that I am sure my plugs are oil-fouled now. Battery is in great shape because its new....
I took off the ignition coil wire at the distributor end, and hooked up an old lawn mower spark plug in it. I cranked the engine, and the test spark plug sparked....somewhat eratically (not bright blue each time).
I then put the ignition coil wire back on the distributor, and disconnected a spark plug wire from a spark plug. I put the dummy lawn mower spark plug into it, and cranked the engine. At first it didn't spark, and then I realized I needed to ground the spark plug so I hooked a wire to it, and a metal part of the engine. Sure enough it sparked.....So I think the opti is working.
Maybe the ignition coil is getting weak.....? All I know is that I am sure my plugs are oil-fouled now. Battery is in great shape because its new....
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: NEwhere Ohio
Re: HELP: Garaged 93 Corvette won't start (dizwiz24)
I put a new MSD ignition coil on the car. It still won't start.
I am getting spark to the ignition wires.......so I know the distributor isn't working.
I just think its a PO$....Maybe I should've bought a porsche
I am getting spark to the ignition wires.......so I know the distributor isn't working.
I just think its a PO$....Maybe I should've bought a porsche
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 154
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From: sarasota fl
Re: HELP: Garaged 93 Corvette won't start (dizwiz24)
just a shot in the dark...
my 94 was stalling and would not start and then it would start the next day as if nothing was wrong, drove me nuts.
after replacing the opti, coil modulator, plugs, wires, computer etc etc.
i checked for spark, it had it
check for fuel, turn key without starting, does fuel pump make noise, yes
got frustrated and floored the gas pedal (these cars usually start without touching the gas pedal) the car coughs to life and starts right up
if the car is flooded, flooring the gas pedal shuts off the fuel and cranking the engine for less than 15 secs at a time won't hurt the starter and will clear the flooded condition.
cause was finally diagnosed as a corroded wire at the cold air sensor that sent a code 50 (i think) and dumped fuel and flooded the engine out. replace the cold air sensor and a $45 wire harness and all is well
good luck
david
99 pewter coupe 6 spd
94 dark red coupe 6 spd (for sale)
86 dark red coupe (gone gone gone)
my 94 was stalling and would not start and then it would start the next day as if nothing was wrong, drove me nuts.
after replacing the opti, coil modulator, plugs, wires, computer etc etc.
i checked for spark, it had it
check for fuel, turn key without starting, does fuel pump make noise, yes
got frustrated and floored the gas pedal (these cars usually start without touching the gas pedal) the car coughs to life and starts right up
if the car is flooded, flooring the gas pedal shuts off the fuel and cranking the engine for less than 15 secs at a time won't hurt the starter and will clear the flooded condition.
cause was finally diagnosed as a corroded wire at the cold air sensor that sent a code 50 (i think) and dumped fuel and flooded the engine out. replace the cold air sensor and a $45 wire harness and all is well
good luck
david
99 pewter coupe 6 spd
94 dark red coupe 6 spd (for sale)
86 dark red coupe (gone gone gone)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
Re: HELP: Garaged 93 Corvette won't start (l8apex)
You can't just start the car up after it sits for a long time and rev it a few seconds and shut it down. This will kill your battery. I know you said it is new but that doesn't mean it is known good either.
The car should run for a few minutes each time at least just to recharge the battery, especially in cold weather. Recharge your battery some. Good luck....I'm in the same boat with you, but I think I have it licked...... :chevy
The car should run for a few minutes each time at least just to recharge the battery, especially in cold weather. Recharge your battery some. Good luck....I'm in the same boat with you, but I think I have it licked...... :chevy
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: NEwhere Ohio
Re: HELP: Garaged 93 Corvette won't start (Goody)
Battery is good. In fact, I have been recharging it throughout this whole dilemma with the trickle charger, and am getting good voltage (Seen through digital volt gauge)
Its 20F here. Maybe I had condensation in the gas tank that has now frozen in the fuel line...I put HEET (like DRYGAS) (alcohol) in the gas tank. It said it absorbs water in the gas tank....I wouldn't be suprised if a couple days later if it warms up, to see it start up fine.....
Its 20F here. Maybe I had condensation in the gas tank that has now frozen in the fuel line...I put HEET (like DRYGAS) (alcohol) in the gas tank. It said it absorbs water in the gas tank....I wouldn't be suprised if a couple days later if it warms up, to see it start up fine.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
Re: HELP: Garaged 93 Corvette won't start (dizwiz24)
Well, I called a corvette only repair shop and discribed my problems to them and the gent stated that I need a new Opti-poop. So more wrenching in the works for me. Let me see if my idle stumble disappears now. Good luck with yours.
What DTC codes are you getting??
What DTC codes are you getting??
Thread Starter
Race Director
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From: NEwhere Ohio
Re: HELP: Garaged 93 Corvette won't start (Goody)
I haven't hooked up or attempted to get any codes out of it. Right now, I have the battery disconnceted. Maybe it'll reset something. Who knows.
My opti-spark was replaced in Otober 2001. I think it might have been leaked on when a throttle bypass hose leaked.....But I still think it should be ok with new seals, being driven everyday, and stuff.
A local (good) mechanic thinks my plugs are fouled which caused this whole mess.
My opti-spark was replaced in Otober 2001. I think it might have been leaked on when a throttle bypass hose leaked.....But I still think it should be ok with new seals, being driven everyday, and stuff.
A local (good) mechanic thinks my plugs are fouled which caused this whole mess.
