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

Starting issue on an '84

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Old May 9, 2013 | 06:01 PM
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Default Starting issue on an '84

I just started driving my dads 84. It has been sitting for a couple of years. I drove it a little around town less than two miles, started it several times without an issue except when I turn the key on and to the crank position it would hesitate before it cranked the engine. Then I took it on a maiden voyage of sorts to the gas station 20 miles away, all highway. After filling up I went to leave and the engine would not crank. I checked the fuses (after using the owners manual to locate it) they were all good. It is an automatic so I tried shifting to neutral and cranking but no response. I don't know where the starter relay is and I could not hear it click but if I held the key in start the volts would go down. After about fifteen minutes of trying anything I could I turned the key and it fired right up. Needless to say I drove straight home and when I got there I tried and it started two times in a row without a problem. Has anyone had anything like this before?

Also my check engine light is on, how do I read the code and or erase it?

Thanks, Daniel
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Old May 9, 2013 | 07:02 PM
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I would charge the battery or change it if it was sitting for 2 years dead.
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Old May 9, 2013 | 08:22 PM
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The battery was always disconnected when the car sat. It has been charged as well. The battery cant be the cause because when the car does crank it is fast and fires right up, when it doesnt crank there is no click or slow crank or anything. Like I said in the first post it would not crank at all and then suddenly it fired right up like nothing was wrong. This 84 is pretty much stock, no headers, maybe a muffler change cause it is a little loud but do these cars have a history of heating the starter up? My 71 nova started heating up the started after changing from manifolds to headers, but this car still has manifolds.
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Old May 9, 2013 | 08:33 PM
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I have heat soak problems on my '84 with a hot cam and the heatshields removed. I know I'm not the only one with a relatively stock car with these problems either.
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Old May 9, 2013 | 09:27 PM
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Here's the schematic for the 84 starter, the interrupt relay is located behind the instrument panel..



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Old May 9, 2013 | 09:30 PM
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Interrupt relay location..




Last edited by ccrazor; May 10, 2013 at 10:55 PM.
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