1996 Corvette won't start
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
1996 Corvette won't start
Hello! I'm new to this. I inherited at 1996 Corvette LT4 that has been sitting a long time. The gas gauge reads empty and the car turns over but won't start. I've replaced the fuel pump/gas sending unit assembly and drained and cleaned the fuel tank. The gas gauge still reads empty and the car does not start, same as before. VATS seems to be working ok and all other electrical systems work as expected. I can hear the fuel pump run for a few seconds after I turn to key to run. Any insight is appreciated.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,648
Likes: 1,059
From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
You need to get (borrow/rent/purchase) an induction timing light and see if you are getting spark. Alternatively, just pull a plug and hold it to ground and see if it's sparking.
You can also smell the plug and see if it's getting fuel. Just because it spins over doesn't mean it's getting fuel or spark.
You can also smell the plug and see if it's getting fuel. Just because it spins over doesn't mean it's getting fuel or spark.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,191
Likes: 1,317
From: LeClaire Iowa
drcook is correct. First thing is to find out if it is missing fuel or spark. fasted way is, as he says, pull any spark plug and ground it to something solid. Have someone crank it over and see if the plug sparks. If it does spark then you can work to find out why it is not getting fuel. Did you replace the fuel filter? After trying to start have you pushed the pin on the fuel pressure gauge connection to see if you have pressure. Don't smoke and protect your face when doing this. If you have spark and pressure then next step is to get a noid light to see if the injectors are being activated. The injectors could be all gummed up. Dan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,649
Likes: 863
drcook is correct. First thing is to find out if it is missing fuel or spark. fasted way is, as he says, pull any spark plug and ground it to something solid. Have someone crank it over and see if the plug sparks. If it does spark then you can work to find out why it is not getting fuel. Did you replace the fuel filter? After trying to start have you pushed the pin on the fuel pressure gauge connection to see if you have pressure. Don't smoke and protect your face when doing this. If you have spark and pressure then next step is to get a noid light to see if the injectors are being activated. The injectors could be all gummed up. Dan
Fuel
Spark (at approximately the right time)
Compression
So - Where I'll offer differing advice from whaleman and drcook is that first off - I'd listen for the fuel pump to run for a couple of seconds after you turn the ignition on (before you turn the key all the way to crank). If you don't hear that - there is a high likelihood that the fuel pump has failed. Then after that (assuming that you hear the pump run) - what whaleman said is what I'd do...
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
To all: thanks for the replies. Unfortunately, the car's electrical system is now completely dead. I was going about checking for spark when I heard a click and that was it. The battery voltage is nominal, so it's a major electrical issue.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,648
Likes: 1,059
From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Then take the battery and have it checked. If it has been sitting a long time, the battery is probably toast and if you put a new one in, that doesn't mean that it is good. Batteries are hit and miss anymore.
