starting problems / electrical ??? 85 c4
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 162
Likes: 27
From: Clifton City Missouri
St. Jude Donor '20-'21
starting problems / electrical ??? 85 c4
My car was running and starting great when I put it in the garage for the winter, When I went to start it about a month later, the battery was low but it started but would not idle. I bought a new battery and installed it and now the dash lights will come on for about 3 seconds then goes out and the car will run but immediately die when letting off the gas. Where would a person start to figure out what is going on ? Thinking it might be more electical than mechanical at this point, Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated,
Navigator
Joined: Dec 2019
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I'm no expert, but I do have some experience. My son and I are currently trying to start a 92 that sat in storage for about a year. We've learned some things about the C4's EFI system.
First of all, you need a good manual. We bought a Haynes on eBay for $20. It has a lot of good info.
Next, I'd check the fuel pressure when it fires up and runs and closely watch the gauge as it sputters and dies. Our Haynes manual says it should be somewhere close to 40 or 45 and should not leak off after it dies. That info plus the manual would get your thought processes started.
If the fuel pressure is good, then I'd start looking in other directions of which there are several. Again, the Haynes manual helps.
The 40 or 45 for the fuel pressure reading is for the 92. I'm not sure it's the same for the 85 but the manual will say for sure.
First of all, you need a good manual. We bought a Haynes on eBay for $20. It has a lot of good info.
Next, I'd check the fuel pressure when it fires up and runs and closely watch the gauge as it sputters and dies. Our Haynes manual says it should be somewhere close to 40 or 45 and should not leak off after it dies. That info plus the manual would get your thought processes started.
If the fuel pressure is good, then I'd start looking in other directions of which there are several. Again, the Haynes manual helps.
The 40 or 45 for the fuel pressure reading is for the 92. I'm not sure it's the same for the 85 but the manual will say for sure.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 162
Likes: 27
From: Clifton City Missouri
St. Jude Donor '20-'21
Thank you for the response ......... I was thinking this might be an electrical situation considering the dash lights going off so quick and did notice that it idled shortly prior at a very low idle and the lights were dim..........this is when i thought the battery could have went bad and replaced it......starts alright but will not idle.,, maybe a sensor of sorts going south ..........
I am going to do a fuel pressure test on it tho.......not a bad idea.........
I am going to do a fuel pressure test on it tho.......not a bad idea.........
