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

Help please????

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Old Nov 20, 2011 | 01:53 PM
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Default Help please????

I have recently purchased a 1985 corvette and the car had a carb on it when I bought it. I've had my mechanic reinstall the factory f.i. system. Everything works on the car except there is no ground to the injectors. All other systems seem to be fine. Can anyone please help me with this?? Thanks.

Last edited by jls85vette; Nov 20, 2011 at 01:56 PM.
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Old Nov 21, 2011 | 03:19 AM
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The injectors are grounded by the ECM.

The ECM needs to see that the inputs and outputs are connected. If everything is not as it should be the ECM will not function. It does have a limited ability to work without everything being correct (limp mode), but you still need to have almost everything connected for that to work.
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Old Jan 3, 2012 | 03:02 PM
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Thanks for that info, but. We're still where we were on this. Everything is hooked up and all systems are good. Still no ground to the injectors. We have checked all the straps,wires,connectors. Almost to point of giving up and selling it. Any more suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again!!
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Old Jan 3, 2012 | 03:32 PM
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This is kind of a loaded thread/question.

You need to mention that you pretty much just got this car and that it had a carb installed on it when you got it...and for whatever reason you've swapped it back to the stock FI setup.

I'm sure there is a lot of stuff that more than likely got "messed" with by the previous owner (P.O.) during the swap....perhaps a question to ask yourself or better yet the P.O. is why did the P.O. go to a carb in the first place.

I recommend you get ahold of a year specifc factory service manual (1985 FSM) and dig in.

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Old Jan 3, 2012 | 04:17 PM
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Originally Posted by jls85vette
I've got an 85 vette that has no ground on the injectors.
How are you checking?
If the engine is not running you will (should ) see no ground
The injectors are grounded by the ECM to operate them
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Old Jan 3, 2012 | 04:38 PM
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While engine is turning over, taking a test light and probing the wires. they both show to be positive. Yes, it did have a carb on it when I got it. When I asked the previous owner why, He responded with he has his reasons. So, we're going in blind and trying to get it all back original. All pieces are here and on the car. Just no fuel getting to the injectors. You can spray fuel into it and it will run until it burns what little fuel is there gets gone. I'm at my wits end almost.
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Old Jan 3, 2012 | 04:40 PM
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Thanks!!
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Old Jan 3, 2012 | 05:06 PM
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I certainly am no expert, but are you sure the ECM is good?
That is what controls the injectors, also (I'm sure you have) make sure you have fuel pressure at the rail on the intake.

There are lots of experts, so here's a bump!!

Oh, and we all get discouraged and want to junk the car on a regular basis. Then something goes right, and we re-group our efforts.

Good luck!
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Old Jan 3, 2012 | 05:16 PM
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Well, I bought a new/rebuilt ecu from Advance. So, this could be an issue. Everything else works though. That's what's got me scratching my head and ready to scream and take a sledge hammer to it.
Yes, fuel pressure is at rails and pump and relays all seem to be fine. New pump and filters along with lines too. Thanks!!
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Old Jan 3, 2012 | 05:24 PM
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Originally Posted by jls85vette
, taking a test light and probing the wires.
Should be using a noid light to test for inj pulse

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...tor-pulse.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...tor-pulse.html

Last edited by rodj; Jan 3, 2012 at 05:48 PM.
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Old Jan 3, 2012 | 05:25 PM
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Ok, Thanks will see what type he's using.
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Old Jan 3, 2012 | 05:54 PM
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Originally Posted by jls85vette
Thanks will see what type he's using.
Have you ohm tested the injectors to see if they are within spec.
One bad injector will prevent the ECM firing the whole bank
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Old Jan 3, 2012 | 06:46 PM
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If you end up selling it and want another one, I have a nice 85 that I just put up for sale that's mostly stock and runs great. Have to make room for the new ZR1.
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Old Jan 3, 2012 | 07:17 PM
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this is going to sound symplistic, but, jumper the ground wire on the individual injectors to ground, actually might get away with grounding one on each bank, in other words, provide the injectors with a ground. if that gets it to burp on its own, take all related grounds loose and wire brush them.....
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Old Jan 3, 2012 | 07:19 PM
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Originally Posted by jls85vette
Thanks for that info, but. We're still where we were on this. Everything is hooked up and all systems are good. Still no ground to the injectors. We have checked all the straps,wires,connectors. Almost to point of giving up and selling it. Any more suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again!!

Gotta ask. Do you and your mechanic have the Factory Service manual? Cliff has a good point about the ECM. Sure all the systems may be good, but are all the conditions met? There's a sequence of events that the ECM needs to fulfill and see before putting the ground to the injectors. Also, are there any codes being thrown?

None of this is easy, but keep plugging away here and the forum will help out.
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Old Jan 3, 2012 | 07:25 PM
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another place to check, up by the thermostat housing there's a wire or group of wires with an eyelet big enough for a bolt to go thru, thats usually the ground for most of the things that need ground on the top of the engine, make sure it has a bolt thru it and is making clean contact. also at the back of the engine block. If you still have trouble, msmoore is better than most folks who claim to be mechanics at trouble shooting . hope this helps

Last edited by oldalaskaman; Jan 3, 2012 at 07:39 PM.
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Old Jan 3, 2012 | 07:53 PM
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Originally Posted by jls85vette
Still no ground to the injectors. .. Any more suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Pointless running two threads on the same question
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...lp-please.html

Five min after answering here you asked exactly the same question again ( but left out the important info about repairing a carb car !)
Just confuses everyone as to what else is being said elsewhere.
If you are not happy with the answers 1st time around just bump question back to the top
There are commercial online sites that will give you instant answers ( for $$$ );
free advice takes a little longer

Last edited by rodj; Jan 3, 2012 at 08:01 PM.
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Old Jan 3, 2012 | 08:02 PM
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Does it fire at all when you try to start it? i.e. catch briefly while you're cranking but nothing more?
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Old Jan 3, 2012 | 08:19 PM
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Originally Posted by jls85vette
I have recently purchased a 1985 corvette and the car had a carb on it when I bought it. I've had my mechanic reinstall the factory f.i. system. Everything works on the car except there is no ground to the injectors. All other systems seem to be fine. Can anyone please help me with this?? Thanks.
Ummm....at the risk of sounding stupid and pointing out the obvious, if you are just using a DVM to check for ground at the injectors when the car is not running you should see a high impedance path. Remember, 12V is constantly fed to one end of the injector, so if ground were there all the time then the injector would be constantly on whenever the car was in the "on" position. The low side is switched. You need to check the waveform at the injector with an o-scope or if you have a more advanced DVM there are some of them that can check it.

--Calvin
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Old Jan 3, 2012 | 08:26 PM
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Originally Posted by calvinlc
Ummm....at the risk of sounding stupid and pointing out the obvious, if you are just using a DVM to check for ground at the injectors when the car is not running you should see a high impedance path. Remember, 12V is constantly fed to one end of the injector, so if ground were there all the time then the injector would be constantly on whenever the car was in the "on" position. The low side is switched. You need to check the waveform at the injector with an o-scope or if you have a more advanced DVM there are some of them that can check it.

--Calvin
this is good info , many thanks,
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