My 96-LT1 started to run poorly yesterday, with no warning. I started it normally and was driving when I noticed extreme hesitation at about 2K rpm. I returned home and parked it, trying it again about 3 hours later. It was hard to start and I had a service engine light. Ran the same as earlier. I put the gear selector in first gear and accelerated slowly from a stop, about 2k rpm it was bogging and missing. Another thing I noticed.. normally when I put the key in, turn the key on but before starting, I would hear a noise behind me, which I assumed was the fuel pump priming the engine. I don't hear that now although the car will start with difficulty, it will idle and run below 2k. I'm waiting for the flatbed because I don't trust it in Dallas tarffic. Anyone have any idea's before the dealer takes me to the cleaners? Thanks.

 

fuel pump/relay/filter

Something there is out of wack... no question...

pull the code. I am not sure what they mean on ODBII.

 

If you heard the fuel pump b4,like I always do, and you don't hear it now, I bet on a bad fuel pump relay :thumbs:

 

That was my original thought but if the relay was bad, would it start at all? :confused:

 

If your relay are bad. Your fuel pump won't run. Again if you cannot hear the pump, chance are your relay are gone.


Bruce

 

Ok, well the flatbed just came and it wouldn't start at all so I sent it to the dealer. I'll let you know what they say. Thanks for the replies.

 

Yes, it will... the oil pressure switch is in parallel with the fuel pump circuit... if the OPS sees 4psi, it will fire the pump.

I am not so sure the relay is the entire problem. It might be a symptom of the problem... meaning, a bad pump killed it!

 

ah maybe you are right. But I am thinking toward my custom twin pump setup. I ran a 2nd pump with it own power source and relay. Now if my 2nd fuel pump relay are bad. Than my 2nd pump will not run.


Bruce

 

I promised to yet you know the result. $1,050 later, car is back home. Dealer said I needed a fuel pump, injector flush and throttle body cleaned and serviced. I never get out of that dealership for less than 1000 dollars. I used to think car salesmen were sleazy but the service advisors are just as bad. There is never just one thing wrong, always 3 or four things needed to correct the problem. I could understand that if I had be ignoring a problem that got progressivly worse but that's not the case. My car either runs like a top or it doesn't run at all. How can all of these things break at once. You can walk out on the salesman but the service dept has your car hostage. I am the original owner and have done all the maintenance religously so I'm not paying for the sins of a previous user. I gotta find a trustworthy local mechanic. Sorry for the rant guys, I hate being taken advantage of. Thanks for all the advice. I feel the need for a shower now that I've left the dealer.

:leaving:

 

Things like this are why I started working on my own cars when I was a teenager (long time ago). I have saved myself untold thousands of $ over the years.
In this case, only the fuel pump needed changing, not all that other stuff. The injectors were working well before, so why do they need cleaning when the only problem there is a lack of fuel. You could have easily changed the fuel pump yourself as it is one of the easiest repairs on a Vette. The pump itself is less than a hundred bucks at the parts store. If you read this forum regularly, you will hear lots of folks complain about being shafted by the dealer.
There is help on this forum for fixing anything on a Vette if you are interested in learning . Otherwise you will need to , as you said, find a good local mechanic ( good luck in finding a Corvette expert). Most of the real experts are on this forum ( not to include me). As I see it, either get out your tools or get out your wallet. I'm not ranting at you , but it really ticks me off to see the way dealer rip people off on a daily basis. :rant: :banghead:

 

:iagree: I got taken when I had my '92 by the dealer on a regular basis. Now that I have a nice garage to work in, I promised myself I would try to learn to do it myself the best I can. Sometimes it takes me a few times to get it right, but the sense of accomplishment and knowing I saved myself a ton of cash is definately worth it. Now if my vette was my daily driver.......

 

I appreciate that advise but I live in an apt and really have no place or time to try to do my own repairs. Just have to find an honest mechanic, do they exist? :lol: I never minded spending the money if I felt like I was treated fairly, I just don't like to be ripped off.

 

Try to join a local Corvette club, you'll either find someone trustworthy to work on your vette or can get references. A lot of Corvette mechanics from local shops come to our meetings once a month. Listen to other folks, they'll tell you who's good!
I live in a condo, I work on my own Vette. I got lucky & hooked up with a shop. I agree, I saved lots of money by doing my own repairs. This forum is a great source of info to troubleshoot problems, lots to learn.

Hope that helps! :auto:

 

One more question, I forgot before. I asked them to do a state inspection, when I went to get the car they told that it failed because their were some codes set in the system. I asked if they could reset the codes and I was told that they couldn't. I was told to put 40 or 50 miles on it and bring it back, the codes would be cleared and it would pass the inspection. Does this sound right? :confused:

 

They are working you over real good but that is what dealers do...forget about it and make darn sure you find a good vette mechanic...it is well worth the effort...ask here on the forum, local car clubs, drag strips, auto cross events, car shows, etc...... usually the same name will pop up a few times...he is your guy... I had to do the same thing when I got my vette...good luck in your quest and don't give up till you find someone... :thumbs:

 

Anyone know about the codes? :confused:

 

yes, your 96 is obd2. they will go away if their are no reoccurences for around 50miles.

something to think about. a fuel pump can be installed in less than an hour, without getting under the car, with simple hand tools. just because you live in an apartment doesn't mean you cant do some of the minor repairs. i read a post not long ago about someone on here that repaired his fuel pump on the dealers lot.

oh,and im not gonna tell you how cheap a fuel pump is.

 

Yeah, 96 and up are now equipped with OBD-II.

I've never heard of the codes "going away" after 50 miles. Even if you remedy the problem, i.e. oxygen sensor replacement, the code will still be stored in the cars computer until it is cleared out with a diagnostic tool.

I actually own a microscan by Snap-On that cost me about $700. It's very efficient and to the one that was asking about reading OBD-II codes, the computer tells you exactly what is wrong. If it's an O2 sensor, it will tell you which one to change.

I don't know about where you live, and I hate saying this, but around here Autozone (i know, i know) does free diagnostic checks on cars, and they'll clear them out for you.

Just pretend like you don't know what's wrong, they'll tell you what's wrong, try to sell you the part, and then just ask you to clear them for you. People around here do it all the time.

And yes, I would recommend trying to find a local mechanic. Anyone can do a fuel pump and unless it's something that specially has to be done by the dealer, I wouldn't take it there.

Reasons being, they are charging a very high labor rate. You might've only paid a couple of hundred in parts and 2/3 of your bill was labor.

Remember the best advertisement is word of mouth and if you hear someone that was treated fairly, give the guy a chance.


[Modified by 88vettelover, 7:16 AM 4/30/2004]

 

AS Columbo would say: "Let me get this straight"
They just charged you a THOUSAND bux to change the fuel pump BUT it won't pass inspection.
Yep, bring it back in 50 miles and they'll "save you money".
Take it right outta YOUR pocket and put it in theirs and save it.

For a thou you could have flown ME out there and back. And I'd have changed it right in your parking spot.

Hmmmm. That would be the LAST buck of mine they ever saw.
And, I'd tell all my friends, associates and aquaintences to steer clear of them too.

That's MORE than outrageous. That's a license to steal and plunder.