Hello All,

A brief history to preface my question. I have a 1990 L98 which is my weekend driver. In Feb. of this year, the car died on me and I had to have it towed home. The day before the car died, I noticed the car really labored to start , my digital speedometer went crazy flashing partial numbers and my rear hatch release button on the door stopped working. After a few days of investigation, I found that the ignition pickup coil had gone bad. Taking precautionary measures to the extreme, I replaced the complete distributor assembly - top to bottom.
When the job was complete, the car still didn't start as fast as it use to, but it started, my digital speedometer came back and my hatch release was working again. Well today I went out to go to breakfast. The car labored a bit but started and got me there and back. After a hour of sitting, I went out to leave again, went to start the car and the car labored 2x as much to start. Next I noticed my digital speedometer was going crazy and the rear hatch release stopped working. I am afraid to drive the car as I don't want to be stranded again.
Anyone out there have any ideas where I should start checking for the problem? Should I start at the distributor again or somewhere else?
Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks and to All Happy Easter.

c4tonezone

 

Any help out there ?

 

Wow...This is a 1st. Any suggestions would be appreciated. You guys are making me feel like a outsider with the silent treatment.
Please throw me a bone if you have any ideas.

 

I've got nothing......just wanted to reply so you didn't feel too lonely!!

 

Have you checked spark and fuel pressure yet?

 

Thanks for the replies. The car will start, but it labors to. As I mentioned, the last time it died on me , it had the exact same characteristics - labored to start, digital speedometer went crazy , and my rear hatch stopped working.
I'm going to start where I did the last repair - at the distributor and work backward.

Thanks again for replying....it was feelin' a little chilly for awhile if you know what I mean.

 

It could be that your starter is going south or the cable to the starter is bad or the ground is not good.

 

Check your ground wires. At the battery and to the back of the block. Clean um up!!

 

Have you checked for codes? Un plug MAF and see if it runs better.

 

When strange electrical problems occur the battery, charging system & ground wires would be my first area of concern.

If the car labors to start are you saying it cranks for a long time before it starts or is the starter laboring & turning the engine over slowly?

If it cranks normally but takes a long time to start the fuel pump relay may have died. The fuel pump will begin to operate once the engine builds oil pressure = long crank time. To test turn the ignition on (do not start) & listen for the fuel pump to cycle. If the fuel pump does not cycle replace the relay.

If the starter is laboring.

Check the battery ground wires on the frame & engine block.

Charge the battery & have it load tested. Replace if necessary.

Check the alternator output.

Check starter draw.

 

Thank You My Vette Brothers...Now that I have some direction, I'm gonna get busy. back shortly with my findings....You guys are the best!

 

Just a quick update - To those who responded, Thanks Again for your wisdom. I took all of your suggestions and pretty much went through them all...literally. I am glad to say that the car starts as it should - right away and I have my digital speedometer back. The rear hatch is a little unpredictable, so i think I'll probably replace the switch.
I am not sure which of your suggestions actually cured the problem as I didn't stop to test after each was done.

Again, Thanks so much for the help. I REALLY appreciate it.

 

There are 3 switches for the hatch, center console & one on each door. Try using a different switch when checking. This will tell you if the switch you use all the time is malfunctioning or the problem is related to the hatch mechanism.

If you need a hatch release mechanism I have an extra one that was removed from an 88 model.

 

I think we can rule out the MAF.