1984 Corvette Cranking Problem
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
1984 Corvette Cranking Problem
I have a 1984 C4. For as long as I have had the car, it's had one persistent issue. Sometimes, seemingly at random, when you attempt to start it, all you hear is the starter and not the engine cranking. I thought putting in a new ICM would have fixed the issue, but it has not and now I am kind of stumped. Ive never really ran into an issue like this before and I don't really know what the culprit . Anybody know anything?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 1,312
Likes: 384
From: Northern California
Can you be more specific? Do you mean you hear the starter spinning but the engine does not turn over and try to start? Or do you mean that the starter / engine both rotate but the engine won't fire into an idle?
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Yeah, sorry about that. The starter spins, but the engine doesn't crank. Usually when this happens it takes 2-3 tries before the engine finally starts to start cranking
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 1,312
Likes: 384
From: Northern California
That sounds like an intermittent problem with the starter itself (Bendix drive pinion) rather than ICM or ECM related. Others can chime in as they see fit.
Have you replaced the starter since this started happening? Or has it been the same one all along?
Cheers.
Have you replaced the starter since this started happening? Or has it been the same one all along?
Cheers.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,228
Likes: 698
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Thanks, the only people I have talked to about this have told me its not the starter, so I decided to look into other areas that could be causing this issue. I'll get one ordered right away and post an update after its installed.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 1,185
From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
I'm still wondering how the ECM has anything to do with the starter working and the motor is not physically cranking? Maybe your just not explaining it right? I would HIGHLY suggest that you get a 84 GM service manual. It has a lot of good troubleshooting information in it and is worth its weight in gold for sure. GL
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,228
Likes: 698
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
If the starter is working but the engine is not turning, of course it's a starter problem