1990 won't start no crank
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
1990 won't start no crank
Just bought my first corvette. It's a project car. Brought it home today and tried to start but it won't crank. This is what happens turn it on radiator fans engage the check gauges light is on the door ajar service engine soon and service abs. The speedometer doesn't turn on and when I crank it the brake light comes on. Dunno what the problem is? Any help would be great.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 7
From: Greenville Texas
Does the SES light come on at all?
Nevermind, just read it all. First things first, are you getting spark and fuel? Quick way to check for fuel is try to crank it for a second or two, then pull the easiest spark plug. If its wet or reaks of fuel, you're propbably good there. To check for spark, take that spark plug, stick the wire on the end of it and rest it somewhere really close to metal like a ground bolt. When I say close, I mean close, but not touching. Have someone try to crank the car while you're looking at the spark plug. See if there is any spark.
These are quick and easy to me, but might not be for you. If not, get a scan tool of some sort.
Nevermind, just read it all. First things first, are you getting spark and fuel? Quick way to check for fuel is try to crank it for a second or two, then pull the easiest spark plug. If its wet or reaks of fuel, you're propbably good there. To check for spark, take that spark plug, stick the wire on the end of it and rest it somewhere really close to metal like a ground bolt. When I say close, I mean close, but not touching. Have someone try to crank the car while you're looking at the spark plug. See if there is any spark.
These are quick and easy to me, but might not be for you. If not, get a scan tool of some sort.
Last edited by whitehooptie; Nov 11, 2010 at 01:32 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,444
Likes: 0
Is the battery charged? If so try a known good battery it could be shorted.
If battery is OK, check your fusable links, grounding strap, see if you can turn the engine with a breaker bar connected to the crank bolt to see if it seized, could be a bad starter. Can you hear the solonoid engage the starter, a click/light thunk sound when turning the key?
Is the security light lit with no click? If so it is VATs. Vats is a security thing that reads the value of a resister built into the key. After a while it can go bad producing the wrong value and the car thinks your trying to steal it.
This should get you started.
If battery is OK, check your fusable links, grounding strap, see if you can turn the engine with a breaker bar connected to the crank bolt to see if it seized, could be a bad starter. Can you hear the solonoid engage the starter, a click/light thunk sound when turning the key?
Is the security light lit with no click? If so it is VATs. Vats is a security thing that reads the value of a resister built into the key. After a while it can go bad producing the wrong value and the car thinks your trying to steal it.
This should get you started.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Just bought my first corvette. It's a project car. Brought it home today and tried to start but it won't crank. This is what happens turn it on radiator fans engage the check gauges light is on the door ajar service engine soon and service abs. The speedometer doesn't turn on and when I crank it the brake light comes on. Dunno what the problem is? Any help would be great.
