92 vette won't run
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,076
Likes: 281
From: Dyersburg TN
First and always is the check engine light on and what codes does the computer show?
You have fuel at rail but did you verify with a fuel pressure gauge? If so what was the reading?
Spark is there but is it a strong spark or weak one?
And always did something happen right before this like getting fuel at a new gas station?
You have fuel at rail but did you verify with a fuel pressure gauge? If so what was the reading?
Spark is there but is it a strong spark or weak one?
And always did something happen right before this like getting fuel at a new gas station?
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
Still won't run
No check engine light,no codes have 47 psi at rail,new pump,new filter,new injectors,new coil,new wires,new plugs, Brite blue spark at plugs,pass key is good,msd billet Opti, I'm running out of ideas, I've worked on cars for 30 years, this has stumped me, thanks for trying to help me
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,162
Likes: 813
From: Chapel Hill NC
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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As already asked does it fire up with staring fluid?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,235
Likes: 3,063
From: So Cal
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
With the engine not turning (ie not cranking or running), the check engine light must be solid-ON. If it isn't, the ECM is not powered-up.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The 1992 has onboard diagnostics.
Put a jumper wire in the ALDL between A and G. (Top right and bottom left.)
Turn key to RUN.
Watch the speedo.
There are (3) modules in a 1992. 1=CCM, 4=ECM, 9=ABS/ASR. The module is indicated by the little number in the fuel info area of the LCD.
Let all the codes run, and write them down including the Module number and the C or H. If you get lost, or want to see them again, turn key OFF, wait a bit, turn key to RUN. They run again. Report back.
There are combinations of codes in the 3 modules that hint as to the root cause. Rather than speculate, I'll wait for the report on what you have. Cheers.
F-E-D-C-B-A
G-H-J-K-L-M
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The 1992 has onboard diagnostics.
Put a jumper wire in the ALDL between A and G. (Top right and bottom left.)
Turn key to RUN.
Watch the speedo.
There are (3) modules in a 1992. 1=CCM, 4=ECM, 9=ABS/ASR. The module is indicated by the little number in the fuel info area of the LCD.
Let all the codes run, and write them down including the Module number and the C or H. If you get lost, or want to see them again, turn key OFF, wait a bit, turn key to RUN. They run again. Report back.
There are combinations of codes in the 3 modules that hint as to the root cause. Rather than speculate, I'll wait for the report on what you have. Cheers.
F-E-D-C-B-A
G-H-J-K-L-M
Last edited by IHBD; Apr 30, 2025 at 12:44 PM.
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Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
I think I found the problem, after gulling the plugs back out and grounding the plugs I have week orange spark, it's time for new Cap and rotor,I replaced the coil, has msd distributor, everything else is doing what it is supposed to do, no codes in the ECM, I'm new to this type of distributor, going to pull it apart and see, I'll let you all know what I find, and think you all for the help
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,076
Likes: 281
From: Dyersburg TN
The Opti distributor just gives the order to fire. Actual voltage comes from the coil which you stated was new. However that does not always equal good. Do you still have old one for testing? Also you did not mention the ICM (ignition control module) which is mounted with the coil. Same statement above applies to it also.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
New icm, everything is new,msd distributor was in the car when I bought it, don't know how long it been on the car, but it seems to be doing what it's supposed to be doing, checking all grounds,if the distributor wasn't sending signal to ECM, I wouldn't have injector pulse, right!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,235
Likes: 3,063
From: So Cal
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Run the onboard diagnostics! It only takes a few minutes, no tools, just a piece of jumper wire.
Your car has two "computers". "No codes in the ECM" is meaningless to me. I don't know how you came to this conclusion, and the codes I'm interested in knowing if they exist or not are not in the "ECM", they are in the CCM which is a different computer, inside the car that communicates with the ECM out under the hood.
Over my time on here, the 1992 is the most likely year for failure to starts, quits when running, and a myriad of driveability issues. These are frequently associated with the ECM itself, particularly the circuit board soldering of surface mount components. The other red-flag in your situation is the MSD Opti. I've never run one, but the reviews on here have not been laudatory. There are several codes that may be stored in the CCM that can help narrow down the problem. Codes H16 and H36 will never show in the flash-codes from the ECM. You can only retrieve opti codes from the CCM.
"Checking the cap and rotor" is not a trivial task. It takes hours. Pulling the onboard codes takes two minutes. Help the people trying to help you.
Your car has two "computers". "No codes in the ECM" is meaningless to me. I don't know how you came to this conclusion, and the codes I'm interested in knowing if they exist or not are not in the "ECM", they are in the CCM which is a different computer, inside the car that communicates with the ECM out under the hood.
Over my time on here, the 1992 is the most likely year for failure to starts, quits when running, and a myriad of driveability issues. These are frequently associated with the ECM itself, particularly the circuit board soldering of surface mount components. The other red-flag in your situation is the MSD Opti. I've never run one, but the reviews on here have not been laudatory. There are several codes that may be stored in the CCM that can help narrow down the problem. Codes H16 and H36 will never show in the flash-codes from the ECM. You can only retrieve opti codes from the CCM.
"Checking the cap and rotor" is not a trivial task. It takes hours. Pulling the onboard codes takes two minutes. Help the people trying to help you.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
Have run the jump wire,no codes as i said before,if I had codes I could figure it out myself 😕, that's why I'm asking for help, the car ran good,it died started right back, drove it home, shut it off, Came back and hour later and just cranked over. It might be the opti, doesn't make any sense,has spark and fuel should run but it doesn't.thanks for all the help,
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
Run the onboard diagnostics! It only takes a few minutes, no tools, just a piece of jumper wire.
Your car has two "computers". "No codes in the ECM" is meaningless to me. I don't know how you came to this conclusion, and the codes I'm interested in knowing if they exist or not are not in the "ECM", they are in the CCM which is a different computer, inside the car that communicates with the ECM out under the hood.
Over my time on here, the 1992 is the most likely year for failure to starts, quits when running, and a myriad of driveability issues. These are frequently associated with the ECM itself, particularly the circuit board soldering of surface mount components. The other red-flag in your situation is the MSD Opti. I've never run one, but the reviews on here have not been laudatory. There are several codes that may be stored in the CCM that can help narrow down the problem. Codes H16 and H36 will never show in the flash-codes from the ECM. You can only retrieve opti codes from the CCM.
"Checking the cap and rotor" is not a trivial task. It takes hours. Pulling the onboard codes takes two minutes. Help the people trying to help you.
Your car has two "computers". "No codes in the ECM" is meaningless to me. I don't know how you came to this conclusion, and the codes I'm interested in knowing if they exist or not are not in the "ECM", they are in the CCM which is a different computer, inside the car that communicates with the ECM out under the hood.
Over my time on here, the 1992 is the most likely year for failure to starts, quits when running, and a myriad of driveability issues. These are frequently associated with the ECM itself, particularly the circuit board soldering of surface mount components. The other red-flag in your situation is the MSD Opti. I've never run one, but the reviews on here have not been laudatory. There are several codes that may be stored in the CCM that can help narrow down the problem. Codes H16 and H36 will never show in the flash-codes from the ECM. You can only retrieve opti codes from the CCM.
"Checking the cap and rotor" is not a trivial task. It takes hours. Pulling the onboard codes takes two minutes. Help the people trying to help you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,235
Likes: 3,063
From: So Cal
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
When cranking, what does the tachometer do? Advance to cranking speed, or remain at 0? If it remains at 0, there shouldn't be spark, and there should be either H16 or H41 in Module 1.
If it won't fire on starting fluid, are you sure there is "spark"? Have you checked for spark at both the coil wire and a couple of plug wires? Maybe the rotor fell off? (Unlikely, but it has been reported/happened.)
If it won't fire on starting fluid, are you sure there is "spark"? Have you checked for spark at both the coil wire and a couple of plug wires? Maybe the rotor fell off? (Unlikely, but it has been reported/happened.)
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
Tach stays at 0, no codes in magule 1, tried starter fluid and it went boom, blow the valve cover gasket out, scared the wife and I. Going to pull Opti out tonight, the rotor coming off sounds to make sense, I've seen a lot of posts about this msd distributor doing that, so think you for your help, I'll let you know what I find.
