Timing is everything (puzzle du jour)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 113
Likes: 17
From: Fayetteville GA
Timing is everything (puzzle du jour)
Not engine timing, but the timing of my '96 LT1's dying in the driveway, in relation to tomorrow's expected arrival of the two-volume FSM. 
From a cold start, just started to back up -- engine idling -- and the engine sputtered and died. Wouldn't restart, so left it where it sat and went to lunch. Upon returning, it started right up, so took it on a 10-minute highway loop -- just enough to get an indication on the oil temp gauge. At anything above idle speed, the engine was completely smooth, with full power. Pulling into the driveway, the idle was lumpy, so I parked it to await arrival of the FSM.
First order of business will be to check for vacuum leaks, and the idle air count. Battery and charge voltages are O.K. by the panel gauge; haven't checked them with the Fluke yet. Of course, there are a dozen things that could be related, so I'll just proceed methodically and report back with findings.
Oh -- one odd thing that might or might not be a clue: While the engine wasn't running, the A/C temperature down arrow was inop., but it worked again once the engine was running. Anyone ever seen that caused by low voltage?
From a cold start, just started to back up -- engine idling -- and the engine sputtered and died. Wouldn't restart, so left it where it sat and went to lunch. Upon returning, it started right up, so took it on a 10-minute highway loop -- just enough to get an indication on the oil temp gauge. At anything above idle speed, the engine was completely smooth, with full power. Pulling into the driveway, the idle was lumpy, so I parked it to await arrival of the FSM.
First order of business will be to check for vacuum leaks, and the idle air count. Battery and charge voltages are O.K. by the panel gauge; haven't checked them with the Fluke yet. Of course, there are a dozen things that could be related, so I'll just proceed methodically and report back with findings.
Oh -- one odd thing that might or might not be a clue: While the engine wasn't running, the A/C temperature down arrow was inop., but it worked again once the engine was running. Anyone ever seen that caused by low voltage?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 113
Likes: 17
From: Fayetteville GA
Yep. This morning, before even putting the key in, checked battery voltage and it was over 12.5V. Turned the key and checked for stored codes, and there were none. Started her up, and everything was normal, including the down-temperature button.
The FSM arrived today, so will be checking all the "usual suspects." I got the car six weeks ago with 125,000 very well cared for miles. Have put on another thousand, and except for the flatspotted Nitto 555s, it's been outstanding. Now I just want to keep it that way.
