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

85 Won't Start - Code 12 - Low Oil Presure?

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Old Apr 7, 2010 | 11:09 AM
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Default 85 Won't Start - Code 12 - Low Oil Presure?

Alright, so I've been fighting with this for a few weeks and now asking for help. My 85 won't start. Had it running perfectly in January, didn't have time til 3 weeks ago to try to get it going again. The only thing odd I see on the cluster is my oil pressure is real low, 6 at max, usually around 4 while trying to crank it. The paperclip trick is showing 12, no codes. So, now I'm stumped. Battery is newer, bought it last spring. Help?
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Old Apr 7, 2010 | 12:33 PM
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Check fuel pressure
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Old Apr 7, 2010 | 12:41 PM
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Low oil pressure will not keep an engine from starting. Code 12 tells you the ECM is powered and passed self checks. Can you hear the fuel pump run when the key is turned to "Run"?? Have you checked for spark?
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Old Apr 7, 2010 | 12:57 PM
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check for spark and the signal from the distrib to the fuel pump
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Old Apr 7, 2010 | 03:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Midnight 85
Check fuel pressure


agreed
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Old Apr 7, 2010 | 07:04 PM
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Hi. Check the fuel pressure.
When you turn the key for ignition before starting the fuel pump activates for a couple of seconds. Then stops. WThis is to ensure the pressure is ok. Measure this pressure.It shall be between 36 and 39psi if I am correct.
When cranking there is a fuel pump switch enabled by the oil pressure. Thisfuel pump switch is placed behind the distributor under the fire wall.
It may be the fuel pump relay that is bad to. If I remember coorectly it is placed together with the overdrive relay mid on the firwall on the driver side.
Read in the manual how these fuel relay and oil switch and also the rpm sensor sequence is. There can be hidden the solution there.
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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 08:16 AM
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Yea the fuel pump is definitely engaging, I'll check pressure on it. Better have spark, newer plugs/wires and the distributor worked fine 2 months ago...
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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 08:25 AM
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Three things needed-fuel,spark,compression.Check those,should find one missing or weak.Then deal with low oil pressure or switch to a thicker oil & see if that helps
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Old Apr 8, 2010 | 08:43 AM
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Put a timing light on one of your wires and turn the engine over while looking for the timing light probe to flash on and off,,,,

no flash = no spark
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