Electrical Problems
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Electrical Problems
My '88 Corvette is not starting. After being jumped, it runs for a minute at the most, battery charging well (14.2) but then the lights and dash start flickering and it dies.
I was told the battery is full of charge.
Any ideas on what the problem could be?
Thanks.
I was told the battery is full of charge.
Any ideas on what the problem could be?
Thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI
When the car won't start, you need to determine if you are lacking spark or fuel. Squirt a small sniff of ether into the intake while cranking. If the car fires, even briefly, you can assume you have a fuel problem. Could be as simple as a plugged fuel filter, could be a bad pump, or several other causes.
If the car won't even try to start with ether, you likely have no spark. To confirm this, test a plug wire while cranking, by putting an old plug in the wire and grounding it on the engine somewhere, or by using an inductive-type timing light.
When you know what general direction to head in, you can diagnose the specific problem with the FSM.
If the car won't even try to start with ether, you likely have no spark. To confirm this, test a plug wire while cranking, by putting an old plug in the wire and grounding it on the engine somewhere, or by using an inductive-type timing light.
When you know what general direction to head in, you can diagnose the specific problem with the FSM.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
88 Vette - electrical problems
Thank you all for your suggestions. As you can tell, I know nothing about cars. I will try your advice.
My fear is that when I take it to the shop, they could tell me that everything and anything is to blame - when there isn't much wrong at all.
I realize that at the car's age, it hasn't been driven much with such low mileage (I'm the only owner) - the thing that keeps it young may be making it really old - fast. But I can say this - it has been maintained.
Thanks again. I will keep you posted.
My fear is that when I take it to the shop, they could tell me that everything and anything is to blame - when there isn't much wrong at all.
I realize that at the car's age, it hasn't been driven much with such low mileage (I'm the only owner) - the thing that keeps it young may be making it really old - fast. But I can say this - it has been maintained.
Thanks again. I will keep you posted.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI
Thank you all for your suggestions. As you can tell, I know nothing about cars. I will try your advice.
My fear is that when I take it to the shop, they could tell me that everything and anything is to blame - when there isn't much wrong at all.
I realize that at the car's age, it hasn't been driven much with such low mileage (I'm the only owner) - the thing that keeps it young may be making it really old - fast. But I can say this - it has been maintained.
Thanks again. I will keep you posted.
My fear is that when I take it to the shop, they could tell me that everything and anything is to blame - when there isn't much wrong at all.
I realize that at the car's age, it hasn't been driven much with such low mileage (I'm the only owner) - the thing that keeps it young may be making it really old - fast. But I can say this - it has been maintained.
Thanks again. I will keep you posted.
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: state of insanity
A while back i had a similar problem,mine will sit months at a time,i pull the cover off the car ,take off the charger and go.heres the deal ,i startedthe car ,it shut right off.would not start again.dead batt. I put on a 10 amp charger,went out a couple hours later,nothing.checked battery voltage with a hand held volt meter showed 13 plus volts. Turned out the 13 volt was a false reading,i finally checeked the batt. Fluid level ,the batt was bone dry.added water ,charged overnite ,started fine.stuck in a new batt. Been fine every since..turned out my main. Charger went bad and boiled the batt. Dry. Got a new main. Charger.the new battery is main. Free ,i hope.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI