Thanks everyone in advance for this, I have a 2 part question, I know the first part belongs in this section and the second one does not. Wasn’t sure where to put it, but since they are connected I figured it should go here.

Question 1: I have a ’94 vert auto with 74,000, bought it in June. After the car is warm (200+ degrees) the engine sputters, has no power, and even will stall at highway speed. While stopped at a traffic light the engine will surge then stall. All of the other components of the care work perfect.

It is also overheating, on a cool night at highway speed it is running high 220’s and around town on a 70 degree day it is running 235+, both readings on the digital display.

This all started about a week after I bought it. I brought it to a Corvette specialist (Corvettes & Classics, Taunton, MA); he said it was the ECM and it needed to be reformatted. It took them 6 attempts and 3 months to get it “right”. I just got the car this week and it is even worse than when I dropped it off way back in June. It is running so rough (after warm) that the car dies when I push the gas hard, and struggles starting up again after stalling.

Huge question I know, but can anyone help or does anyone know someone in the SE Mass area that can?

Question 2: I bought this car from a dealer in Rhode Island (Executive Auto in Smithfield RI), I contacted them at the beginning of the issue and throughout the last 3 months. They have reluctantly paid for the “repairs”, but now that it has clearly exceeded RI Lemon Law criteria and I want them to buy the car back, they flat out refuse. I have contacted the Attorney General and channel 12’s consumer protection department but no response yet.

Again, any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks,

C

 

The sputtering, no power, stalling and overheating make me think of ignition timing not advancing enough. So that's where I would investigate first is ignition. Also running very lean could do that. Such as clogged injectors, low fuel pressure, etc.

Really you'd need a scanner to see what's going on. We can't give you much without scanner data.

 

I suspect that the fuel pump in the tank is bad, use a pressure gauge and find out what is going on there...It's the first place i'd start...On the overheating, first check to see if the radiator is clogged up with leaves, trash or other debris..That is a starting point on the journey to find the cause..

 

thanks!

So far I have checked the fuel pressure, it is ok. No trash in the cooling area.

Also, I forgot to mention, once the car warms up the gas mileage goes down to around 12-14 MPG

I will check timing today, thanks, did not think of that.

 

Injectors?

 

opti?

 

The best course is to purchase the Factory Service manual for your year. There are diagnostic charts dealing with problems like this and you can use them to diagnose this problem.

Have you checked for codes? If not, pull them.

Until then, since this is occurring after the car warms up and is going into closed loop, I would look first at the coolant temp sensor on the front of the water pump. Check the connector, its wires and then the sensor.

 

Sounds like your issue is with the shop. You might consider taking them to small claims court to get your money back. You chose the shop (I assume) and the dealer did more than most would on a 20 year old car.
What you have now is an unknown. You don't know what programming they have in it or if it's related to the problem. If it was my car, I'd buy a scanner (handheld or s/w with adapter like Moates) and see what's going on. If this isn't something you feel you're capable of doing, then you need to find someone that can and won't rip you off. Maybe reach out to the local Corvette club? There's probably someone in your area that can help you out.

 

Thank you! Great idea using the local 'vette club, didnt even think of that.

And to everyone else, thanks a lot, very helpful things to look for. Looks like a big weekend ahead for me!

c

 

x2 if that suckers bad it can cause some strange hiccups

May have to learn here to test these parts yourself most shops are just going to guess change parts at your expense and hope it makes it down the street as youve found. Best of luck

Fwiw when it comes to sensors if possible always get the AC Delco. Dealers charge more but they are almost always good
Found out the hard way replacing a few sets of knock sensors bought every brand BUT AC as I didnt want to pay dealer price. Well.....guess what lol.

 

Check Rockauto.com for the sensors, they seem to have an array of Mfgs, including AC Delco, at well below dealer cost. I have used them for various parts on my '96 LT-4. ( I do not work for them either).

Cheers



ken

 

I am going to check the sensors next.

thanks again to everyone!

today i checked the comp. for error codes and there were none. also, it is pretty cool today in mass. so i took her out for a ride, the temp never got above 210 and she ran perfect!!!

anyone think this will help narrow the issues to the temp sensor?

thanks again,

C

 

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...questions.html
IMO you have enough Symptoms to warrant 8 new Injectors and 8 new spark plugs as a base, right off the bat, to Start

 

You might want to talk to BUD here on the forum. He works on Vettes professionally and for a living and he is pretty darn sharp. Give him a holler and maybe he can give you some guidance. Just a suggestion!
Tommy

 

Hey Tommy, don't you mean "DUB"?

 

tommy...hear about the dyslexic atheist..didn't believe in DOG!!!

 

Yuppers-just had the letters backwards is all!!!