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

90 Corvette Hesitation and Missing

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Old Apr 23, 2009 | 11:14 PM
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Default 90 Corvette Hesitation and Missing

This is my first post on this forum so bare with me lol. I have a base 90 corvette 6 speed. Whenever I crank the car up and i run it while its cold it runs great. After about 5-10 minutes of driving it starts to stumble and hesitate at low rpms. At WOT the car will clear up but at idle or if you have it in a gear and give it some gas it will stumble and hesitate. It has new plugs, wires, filters, etc. Also whenever you run all electronics, especially A/C, it gets a lot worse. You have to take off at around 2500 RPMs just so it doesnt stumble and stall. I'd appreciate any suggestions.
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Old Apr 23, 2009 | 11:26 PM
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Well I am kind of new here to but this is what advise you are going get.

1) Have you read the codes. There are several threads covering this issue. The codes may indicate the problems. One can borrow a code reader from Autozone, etc.

2) Could be the mass air flow sensor. Tap it and see if the engine misses or runs funny. Then try just diconnecting it.

I am not sure if a 1990 has an OptiSpark those can cause problems.
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Old Apr 23, 2009 | 11:35 PM
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Is it tripping any codes? You might check just to see if a code or two have been stored.

I would start by cleaning the throttle body and pay close attention to cleaning the IAC. (Idle Air Control servo) It's mounted on the side of the throttle body. Just be careful with the pintle. The IAC controls A/F ratio at idle.

Once you come off idle, the IAC is not doing anything.
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Old Apr 23, 2009 | 11:38 PM
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Originally Posted by conrarn
Well I am kind of new here to but this is what advise you are going get.

1) Have you read the codes. There are several threads covering this issue. The codes may indicate the problems. One can borrow a code reader from Autozone, etc.

2) Could be the mass air flow sensor. Tap it and see if the engine misses or runs funny. Then try just diconnecting it.

I am not sure if a 1990 has an OptiSpark those can cause problems.
1) It's an OBD1 computer rather than OBD2. I wish it was an OBD2, it'd make this whole diagnostic a lot easier. I work at Advance so it'd be convenient.
2) I don't think there is a MAF sensor on the 90s. Maybe I'm wrong ??

Thanks for the response
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Old Apr 23, 2009 | 11:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Shaybob the builder
Is it tripping any codes? You might check just to see if a code or two have been stored.

I would start by cleaning the throttle body and pay close attention to cleaning the IAC. (Idle Air Control servo) It's mounted on the side of the throttle body. Just be careful with the pintle. The IAC controls A/F ratio at idle.

Once you come off idle, the IAC is not doing anything.
I have seen it throw the occasional check engine light; but not most of the time.

Yeah I thought about trying the IAC but that really wouldn't explain the hesitation at normal speeds.

The A/C and electronic thing is what trips me out.

EDIT: Oh yeah, and it seems to be running rich. I don't know if it's normal for these cars, but the exhaust smells like gas most of the time. I didn't think it was supposed to be that much of a gas smell. Thanks
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Old Apr 23, 2009 | 11:40 PM
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Originally Posted by unkn0wndj
This is my first post on this forum so bare with me lol. I have a base 90 corvette 6 speed. Whenever I crank the car up and i run it while its cold it runs great. After about 5-10 minutes of driving it starts to stumble and hesitate at low rpms. At WOT the car will clear up but at idle or if you have it in a gear and give it some gas it will stumble and hesitate. It has new plugs, wires, filters, etc. Also whenever you run all electronics, especially A/C, it gets a lot worse. You have to take off at around 2500 RPMs just so it doesnt stumble and stall. I'd appreciate any suggestions.
1st thing is ohm check the injectors,, It won't cost a penny and will save you a ton if they are bad. To learn how go to the injector video at the top of this forum and view the video "how to ohm check injectors" report your findings
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Old Apr 23, 2009 | 11:42 PM
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Originally Posted by unkn0wndj
1) It's an OBD1 computer rather than OBD2. I wish it was an OBD2, it'd make this whole diagnostic a lot easier. I work at Advance so it'd be convenient.
2) I don't think there is a MAF sensor on the 90s. Maybe I'm wrong ??

Thanks for the response
Good point. I was thinking of my 94. Sorry for the bad advice.
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Old Apr 23, 2009 | 11:42 PM
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Probably your injectors, if they are stock Multecs they could be failing. Hopefully you haven't ran Seafoam or another brand of injector cleaner thru them, that could have killed them. Try putting an Ohm meter on each injector top and check the impedence. They should be around 16-18 ohms, mostly they should be fairy close. Check those and report back.
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Old Apr 23, 2009 | 11:42 PM
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Originally Posted by FICINJECTORS
1st thing is ohm check the injectors,, It won't cost a penny and will save you a ton if they are bad. To learn how go to the injector video at the top of this forum and view the video "how to ohm check injectors" report your findings
Yeah, I saw the video. I don't want to break the connectors that connect to the injectors. What would be the easiest way to take them off without breaking anything? Do I just pull up on the metal piece or?

Thanks
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Old Apr 23, 2009 | 11:43 PM
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Originally Posted by conrarn
Good point. I was thinking of my 94. Sorry for the bad advice.
It's all good man. Bad advice is better than none at all .
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Old Apr 23, 2009 | 11:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Dads90
Probably your injectors, if they are stock Multecs they could be failing. Hopefully you haven't ran Seafoam or another brand of injector cleaner thru them, that could have killed them. Try putting an Ohm meter on each injector top and check the impedence. They should be around 16-18 ohms, mostly they should be fairy close. Check those and report back.
I was actually contemplating using Seafoam today. Thanks for that info. I do need to take the top connectors off of the injectors to use the multimeter to check the Ohms right?
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Old Apr 23, 2009 | 11:44 PM
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Originally Posted by FICINJECTORS
1st thing is ohm check the injectors,, It won't cost a penny and will save you a ton if they are bad. To learn how go to the injector video at the top of this forum and view the video "how to ohm check injectors" report your findings
Dang, Jon you beat me to the punch. Couldn't type fast enough.
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Old Apr 23, 2009 | 11:47 PM
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The top of the injector has a metal clip on it. Just push it in with a screwdriver and pull the plug off at the same time. If you pry on the side it could go "BOING" and fly off somewhere.
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Old Apr 23, 2009 | 11:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Dads90
The top of the injector has a metal clip on it. Just push it in with a screwdriver and pull the plug off at the same time. If you pry on the side it could go "BOING" and fly off somewhere.
Haha I appreciate the advice. If one or two are bad do I just replace those or do I have to replace all 8 of them?
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Old Apr 23, 2009 | 11:49 PM
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You need to check the fuel pressure. If you have the FSM it tells you how to do a leak down test on the injectors.You also should check the ohms on the injectors with a digital ohm meter. They should be at
16 ohms. GM says less than 10 replace, from what I have learned under 12 they are headed south and time to replace.
Yours sounds a little like mine before I replaced the injectors with the Bosh III from FIC

Scav.
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Old Apr 23, 2009 | 11:52 PM
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Actually you could bend a paper clip and it will do fine. Use a stock one as a templet and shape the clip accordingly. It is working on two of mine injectors.
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Old Apr 23, 2009 | 11:54 PM
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Originally Posted by scavanger
You need to check the fuel pressure. If you have the FSM it tells you how to do a leak down test on the injectors.You also should check the ohms on the injectors with a digital ohm meter. They should be at
16 ohms. GM says less than 10 replace, from what I have learned under 12 they are headed south and time to replace.
Yours sounds a little like mine before I replaced the injectors with the Bosh III from FIC

Scav.
I was also thinking fuel pump aswell. I'll check the injectors tomorrow and if they are bad i'll get some from FIC and hopefully that'll be it.
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To 90 Corvette Hesitation and Missing

Old Apr 23, 2009 | 11:54 PM
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injectors, or IAC
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Old Apr 23, 2009 | 11:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Dads90
Actually you could bend a paper clip and it will do fine. Use a stock one as a templet and shape the clip accordingly. It is working on two of mine injectors.
Oh, lol. No I was talking about the injectors themselves.
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Old Apr 23, 2009 | 11:56 PM
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Originally Posted by pologreen1
injectors, or IAC
I'll be testing the injectors tomorrow and if that doesn't work i'll buy an IAC.
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