vette won't start - help!!
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Charlotte NC
vette won't start - help!!
This morning I got my vette, turned the key, and the starter cranks but it won't turn over. Tried about a dozen times untill it seemed like the battery was draining. Voltmeter dropped into single digits furing hte last few attempts, but with key on acc, it showd 10.2 or very close. Its not a daliy driver, and I haven't strted the car in 6-20 days due to the fact that is has rained every day here in NC for as long as I can remember. The battery is about 18 months old, if that. I am not at all a mechanic, best I can do is cahnge the oil. Any advice on where to turn next? I'm going to try and jump it when I get home tonite, to see if maybe the battery just need a charge.
I have to say I love this forum. I lurk every day, and am thrilled that there are other people on this planet who apparently get the same rush I do when you drop the hammer and that v8 growls. I've learned a lot about my car and vettes in general, and love reading the posts about how so many vette owners love their cars so much as I do...
Thanks,
-Alex
I have to say I love this forum. I lurk every day, and am thrilled that there are other people on this planet who apparently get the same rush I do when you drop the hammer and that v8 growls. I've learned a lot about my car and vettes in general, and love reading the posts about how so many vette owners love their cars so much as I do...
Thanks,
-Alex
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
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From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: vette won't start - help!! (triple_black_89)
Charge the battery up first. When you attempt your first crank, see if you have spark. See if you have fuel pressure. Put a low power 12 v lamp across an injector and crank the engine. The lamp should pulse.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Auburn WA
Re: vette won't start - help!! (triple_black_89)
Engine turning over but not starting usually means no fuel or spark. Since I just replaced the fuel pump on mine, I'll guess fuel :lol: If you want to start becoming a corvette mechanic this would be a good time to get a fuel pressure gauge. Good luck in getting it sorted out.
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From: Charlotte NC
Re: vette won't start - help!! (triple_black_89)
Thanks guys. I really appreciate the help. Its got 134K miles on it. Intermittently, the car will bog down under full throttle or not deliver all power, feels like maybe something is clogged. PLease exscuse my ignorance on knowing whats wrong with it. Of course it didnt rain today, so I am really missing driving it...
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From: Charlotte NC
Re: vette won't start - help!! (redvette1986)
I'd asy the first crank or so seemed normal, but then after that it it was def. tired and slow, more so tha more times I tried. One year ago, the fuel pump fuse blew. Haven't checked that yet, because the car is in the garage, can't open the passenger door, and I didn't mess with it last night. I'm hoping somehow the fuse blew again.
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From: San Antnoio TX
Re: vette won't start - help!! (triple_black_89)
Starter activates but the engine is not "turning over". I will take this to mean that the engine is doing nothing..crank shaft not being rotated...only the starter is whizzing.
The starter has a piece inside called a bendix(I think) that is propelled down a rotating shaft and connects to the rear of the engine specifically the flywheel. This bendix is a small gear that rotates a bigger gear (the flywheel) on the back of the crankshaft. If the bendix doesn't extend out to do it's thing all you will hear is the starter whizzing and no crankshaft rotation...
Does this sound like your situation??? :skep:
The starter has a piece inside called a bendix(I think) that is propelled down a rotating shaft and connects to the rear of the engine specifically the flywheel. This bendix is a small gear that rotates a bigger gear (the flywheel) on the back of the crankshaft. If the bendix doesn't extend out to do it's thing all you will hear is the starter whizzing and no crankshaft rotation...
Does this sound like your situation??? :skep:
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From: Charlotte NC
Re: vette won't start - help!! (Jim P.)
No, it sounds like the crank is turning. Everything sounds normal, but it just wont catch. And of course, the longer I try, the weaker it gets.
I really appreciate everyone's advice.. Gonna mess with it this weekend...
I really appreciate everyone's advice.. Gonna mess with it this weekend...
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From: Austin TeXas
Re: vette won't start - help!! (triple_black_89)
I recently had similar circumstances.... In my case it turned out to be a fuseable link wire.. the 'clue' that led to the diagnosis was the 'service engine soon' light wouldn't come on...
But your case sounds more like a low battery... Once you charge it up, if it still doesn't start, begin by checking for error codes and the fuses... If the battery is good, I'd be wondering what is draining it or if the alternator was not charging the last time the car was run...
But your case sounds more like a low battery... Once you charge it up, if it still doesn't start, begin by checking for error codes and the fuses... If the battery is good, I'd be wondering what is draining it or if the alternator was not charging the last time the car was run...
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From: San Antnoio TX
Re: vette won't start - help!! (triple_black_89)
Oh I see. It's not firing. As mentioned before, you have either no spark or no gas or both.
It's most likley no spark if you get no firing in the combustion chambers and the engine is cranking.
Look over the ignition system. ..
See if anybody else agrees with this first......to check for spark...
Unplug one spark plug wire (preferably the number one)...lay it next to a ground on the engine (another piece of cunductive metal), and have somebody crank the engine, you watch for spark to arc out of the boot onto the frame. Also you can stick a screwdriver into the boot and allow the metal shaft of the screwdrive to lay next to a part of the frame of the car. You can hold the plastic handle safely but slightly away from the frame to see an Arc jump from the screwdrivers metal shaft to the frame. This would at least tell you your ignition system is working for the most part. You would then be looking at lack of Fuel.
JP
:yesnod:
[Modified by Jim P., 4:03 PM 7/18/2003]
[Modified by Jim P., 4:03 PM 7/18/2003]
It's most likley no spark if you get no firing in the combustion chambers and the engine is cranking.
Look over the ignition system. ..
See if anybody else agrees with this first......to check for spark...
Unplug one spark plug wire (preferably the number one)...lay it next to a ground on the engine (another piece of cunductive metal), and have somebody crank the engine, you watch for spark to arc out of the boot onto the frame. Also you can stick a screwdriver into the boot and allow the metal shaft of the screwdrive to lay next to a part of the frame of the car. You can hold the plastic handle safely but slightly away from the frame to see an Arc jump from the screwdrivers metal shaft to the frame. This would at least tell you your ignition system is working for the most part. You would then be looking at lack of Fuel.
JP
:yesnod:
[Modified by Jim P., 4:03 PM 7/18/2003]
[Modified by Jim P., 4:03 PM 7/18/2003]
