Diagnostic help
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Diagnostic help
We try to start our new 1990 vette, and we have to twist the distributor to get it to idle, but then it just dies again. Battery is good, and its cranking, but it just wont get going. Is it a vacuum hose or distributor, or what does this sound like?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,939
Likes: 1
From: Vero Beach Florida
First off did the car run when you brought it home? Did you do anything to the car? Was the dizzy loose and not tighten down? If you are trying to set timing you have to disconnect the EST connector in the wire loom that runs by your brake booster look for a light brown wire then you can set timing to 6* BTDC. Why did you move the distributor? Check out the electrical connectors that run to it maybe you pulled one loose.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
First off did the car run when you brought it home? Did you do anything to the car? Was the dizzy loose and not tighten down? If you are trying to set timing you have to disconnect the EST connector in the wire loom that runs by your brake booster look for a light brown wire then you can set timing to 6* BTDC. Why did you move the distributor? Check out the electrical connectors that run to it maybe you pulled one loose.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
You put the key into the ignition lock and you need a new ignition lock. The ignition switch is activated by a rod from the lock and the switch is in the lower part of the steering column slightly behind the dash.
You might need the idle speed set, you also should check to see if you have adequite spark. During cranking with a plug wire removed and a grounded wire brought close to the plug wire, you should easily see a 1/2 inch snappy spark. Another good test is to unplug the mass air flow sensor and see if it will start and run, you may have a defective MAF (mass air flow sensor).
You might need the idle speed set, you also should check to see if you have adequite spark. During cranking with a plug wire removed and a grounded wire brought close to the plug wire, you should easily see a 1/2 inch snappy spark. Another good test is to unplug the mass air flow sensor and see if it will start and run, you may have a defective MAF (mass air flow sensor).
