'86 Corvette will not start! HELP!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 13
'86 Corvette will not start! HELP!
Hey guys...
Having the "no start" issue myself here with my '86 Corvette. Car turns over, but won't catch. This car sits around a lot, and needless to say I have gone through more than a few batteries with it. This time I charged up the battery, and after a "no start" I suspected maybe the fuel had gone bad. Put some fresh gas in it, and no luck...so I figured, maybe the fuel pump rusted up. Changed that out, and while I was at it I cleaned the sending unit, gas tank, the fuel lines, put a new fuel filter on it, cleaned the MAF sensor,and changed the oil and oil and air filters. Before trying it again, I changed several fuel related fuses, but still no luck. I hear the familiar...what I think is the fuel pump priming when I turn the ignition, and it turns over...but still "no start". Tried a little bit of starter spray, but nothing. Can't say I smell any raw fuel or anything like that, so looking for some troubleshooting advice on how to start checking for fuel, spark etc.
Well, that's about it. Looking forward to hearing some of your replies so I can start troubleshooting...
Having the "no start" issue myself here with my '86 Corvette. Car turns over, but won't catch. This car sits around a lot, and needless to say I have gone through more than a few batteries with it. This time I charged up the battery, and after a "no start" I suspected maybe the fuel had gone bad. Put some fresh gas in it, and no luck...so I figured, maybe the fuel pump rusted up. Changed that out, and while I was at it I cleaned the sending unit, gas tank, the fuel lines, put a new fuel filter on it, cleaned the MAF sensor,and changed the oil and oil and air filters. Before trying it again, I changed several fuel related fuses, but still no luck. I hear the familiar...what I think is the fuel pump priming when I turn the ignition, and it turns over...but still "no start". Tried a little bit of starter spray, but nothing. Can't say I smell any raw fuel or anything like that, so looking for some troubleshooting advice on how to start checking for fuel, spark etc.
Well, that's about it. Looking forward to hearing some of your replies so I can start troubleshooting...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
Are plugs wet indicating fuel is getting into the cylinder?
No kick with starter fluid would indicate no spark
Do you have strong spark at plugs?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 13
1st thing to check is fuel pressure at fuel rail.
Are plugs wet indicating fuel is getting into the cylinder?
Hi, and thanks for your reply.
What's your reccomendation on checking the fuel pressure?...preferably without a pressure gauge. Would bleeding the schrader valve work? Or should I pull a plug?...or another idea?
No kick with starter fluid would indicate no spark
Do you have strong spark at plugs?
Are plugs wet indicating fuel is getting into the cylinder?
Hi, and thanks for your reply.
What's your reccomendation on checking the fuel pressure?...preferably without a pressure gauge. Would bleeding the schrader valve work? Or should I pull a plug?...or another idea?
No kick with starter fluid would indicate no spark
Do you have strong spark at plugs?
Again...thank you
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,292
Likes: 239
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI
If you have a timing light, connect it to any plug wire and crank. If the light flashes, you have spark in that cyl. This is easier with an inductance-type light, but any timing light will work. If no spark there, test the primary coil wire (in the center of the dist. cap) the same way.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 512
Likes: 0
From: Anniston Alabama
My '89 had a similar problem about a month ago. I replaced the battery, fuel filter, the rotary cap and button, plus had the fuel system cleaned out.
Turns out the Ignition Control Module in the distributer was bad. I took it to the auto parts store so they could test it. They normally test the I.C.M five times and if it fails once they say its bad, mine failed twice in a row. I spent about $400 just to find out a $30 was bad.
.
Turns out the Ignition Control Module in the distributer was bad. I took it to the auto parts store so they could test it. They normally test the I.C.M five times and if it fails once they say its bad, mine failed twice in a row. I spent about $400 just to find out a $30 was bad.
.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 13
Some great stuff to look over here. As always, thanks for your help!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 13
If you have a timing light, connect it to any plug wire and crank. If the light flashes, you have spark in that cyl. This is easier with an inductance-type light, but any timing light will work. If no spark there, test the primary coil wire (in the center of the dist. cap) the same way.
I figured the timing light idea would be a good way, but I don't have one. Might be a good time to get one, or I might be able to borrow one.
Thanks again!
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 13
My '89 had a similar problem about a month ago. I replaced the battery, fuel filter, the rotary cap and button, plus had the fuel system cleaned out.
Turns out the Ignition Control Module in the distributer was bad. I took it to the auto parts store so they could test it. They normally test the I.C.M five times and if it fails once they say its bad, mine failed twice in a row. I spent about $400 just to find out a $30 was bad.
.
Turns out the Ignition Control Module in the distributer was bad. I took it to the auto parts store so they could test it. They normally test the I.C.M five times and if it fails once they say its bad, mine failed twice in a row. I spent about $400 just to find out a $30 was bad.
.
But getting some good tips here, so I might wait a bit.
Again, thank you.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 512
Likes: 0
From: Anniston Alabama
Wow, this could be a big help! Looks like you pretty much did the same stuff I did. I am more of a "throw parts at it kind of guy", and the next part I was planning to try was a distributor, haha.
But getting some good tips here, so I might wait a bit.
Again, thank you.
But getting some good tips here, so I might wait a bit.
Again, thank you.
I've got plenty of help from the guys here so I try to help out when I can. Good luck with your trouble shooting and hope you can get it back on the road soon.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 7
From: Madison, MS
I had the same issue with my 86.. The guy who had it before me didnt start it to often and it went through a battery. It would take a couple of cranks to get it to turn over but the day I bought the car it would not start at all.. Just crank and crank.. We changed the Fuel filter and it fired right up. It still is tough to start if it sits for a couple days without starting. I might have to try a new cap as well..
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI
You can also take a plug wire and prop it near the block, or stick an old plug in the wire, crank the engine and watch for spark.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI
Wow, this could be a big help! Looks like you pretty much did the same stuff I did. I am more of a "throw parts at it kind of guy", and the next part I was planning to try was a distributor, haha.
But getting some good tips here, so I might wait a bit.
Again, thank you.
But getting some good tips here, so I might wait a bit.
Again, thank you.
This is not usually the right approach, as you will wind up with lots of misses for each hit... and your wallet will suffer the consequences.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 13
I'm a "throw parts at it" guy too. I will admit I'm not a mechanic by any means, but I have learned alot since owning a Corvette. Some actual experience and most by just reading things on here.
I've got plenty of help from the guys here so I try to help out when I can. Good luck with your trouble shooting and hope you can get it back on the road soon.
I've got plenty of help from the guys here so I try to help out when I can. Good luck with your trouble shooting and hope you can get it back on the road soon.
I have also received some pretty good help/ideas on here over the years as well.
Thanks for your input...It's encouraging when you see someone that's had the same problem, and tried the same things...well, at least for us "throw parts at it" types
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 13
I had the same issue with my 86.. The guy who had it before me didnt start it to often and it went through a battery. It would take a couple of cranks to get it to turn over but the day I bought the car it would not start at all.. Just crank and crank.. We changed the Fuel filter and it fired right up. It still is tough to start if it sits for a couple days without starting. I might have to try a new cap as well..
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 13
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 13
Parts cleaning and filters are one aspect, but if I have to pay $200 for something from a Chevy dealer that comes in a 2"x2" box, I will probably rethink things a bit...
Thanks for the replies...
