Ok, so I was heading up to Yerington, NV from the Bay Area today with members of the WSCC for the annual convention. At our first stop about 50 miles out I shut the car off and let it sit for about 10 minutes. After restarting the car, I couldn't get it to over 15-20mph. It was like the computer was in emergency shut-down mode. As I would accelerate to about 3000 RPMs all of the sudden the engine would fall to idle very ruffly and wouldnt recover no matter how far I pressed the pedal down. So I pulled to the side of the highway with another member of the club/a forum member A96 LT4, and we inspected the car. I had just installed new plugs, wires, oil and O2 sensor so we check those things first. Found one of the plug wires had some insulation melted away so we replaced the wire, still having problems. With the car in park, I would start the car, it would start up almost normal, alittle ruffer idle than normal. Then when I would open the throttle and hold it at about 3000 RPMS (car was in park) it would maintain that rpm for about 5 seconds and then fall off and almost stall. Driving it easy and slow off the highway I would hear a pop from the engine when I would try to give it more gas than it seemed it could handle. So now I am up at the convention and the car sits 200 miles away at a Chevy dealership. So I am wondering if anyone has any clues as to what this might be. The dealership is going to fix it once they get a look at it, but that wont be for another few days and alot of you can probably imagine being at a convention or an event and not having your car. I just wanna see what you all think. Once I pay the dealership several thousand dollars to fix the problem, I'll let you know what it was. BTW: The guy at the dealership was suggesting it might be a fuel problem and now that I think of it, the computer was showing a 26-28 mpg average before it died. Also, unplugged the computer timing advance and tried to run it, no go. Car is throwing no trouble codes. Unhooked battery for 5 minutes to reset computer, no go. (1990 Auto Trans, L98) Who knows. What do you think? Thanks!!!!


[Modified by C490Vette, 11:46 PM 7/3/2004]

 

I'm sure they'll do a quick code check because it's easy but fuel was my first thought too.

 

I agree, it sounds like fuel maybe the filter.

A FP gauge would tell the tale.

 

Yeah sounds like fuel starvation...

 

Those were the symtoms I had when my MAF died. It would not rev past 3000 RPM and also no codes. Not sure if your year Vette has a MAF or MAP. Hope this helps.

 

Can't offer much in the way of suggestions but just wanted to say very NICE rear end shot of your car! Looks great (And Yes, I'm an ex Pro photographer..As in professional, not a specialist in hooker photography!!) LOL


[Modified by smacko, 8:28 PM 7/4/2004]

 

Well, the verdict has been handed in. Fuel pump. Thanks guys!

 

I was going to guess fuel filter, but glad you got it figured out.
Hope the dealer doesn't gouge you becuse you're an out-of-towner...

Larry

 

RED ALERT! The fuel pump didnt solve a thing. Car broke down less than 1 mile from the dealership and is back there now. $700 gone. Now what?

 

I wonder if they even bothered to take a fp reading before they just spent your $700? Consider replacing the fuel filter first..... then do a back pressure test on the exhaust for a plugged / bad cat. Failing all that then my $ are on the ECM going south.

 

:shocked: $700!! What did they do besides the fuel pump?

 

They charged me for fuel pump, filter, strain the fuel, and $427 for labor (including their $95 initial inspection fee). I am pretty sure I get hosed on the deal but my friend called them for me and 5 mintues later the call and got me a free tow (because I had driven the car away from the dealership beliving it was fixed), free rental car, and are going to look at the car for no extra charge. They are already telling me I have 4 bad injectors but I dont know. The car is going up for sale as soon as it runs again...and I am not selling it because it is so troublsom, it is a great car, I want to upgrade to a 2002 Z06. If anyone is interested, the price will be $10,000 or make offer. The car has only been in the shop for a "major" problem twice since I bought it 5 years ago. (Including this problem). Thanks everyone!

 

Please let us know what the final solution was. I have a 90 Vette with auto with identical symptoms.
Fred

 

make sure the airflow isnt constricted somewhere.. air filter clogged etc...

 

Sounds like a fuel filter. When is the last time you changed it?

 

Yeah, me too. I had a Buick that did the exact same thing and it turned out to be the Mass Airflow Sensor.

 

Eureka!
I had the same symptoms as C490VETTE in my own 90 L98 with auto. No throttle, no codes, good fuel filter, good fuel pump, good TPS, and good MAP.
I got a rebuilt ECM at Autozone for $75 and all is well. A lot better than $700+ at Mr Goodwrench.

 

OK THis is nutz! The fuel pump is back in the tank, Right? Pull the bootie from around the filler neck and and pop a few screws? What, maybe an hour? The fuel filter is up near the engine on the R/H frame rail. With a lift and two wrenches, maybe an hour IF your screwin' around. 427-95=332/4 hours=83 bucks an hour! Thats a rip off !!!

Its no wonder the auto industry wants to shutdown the aftermarket parts houses. They're screwing us comin and goin!! :

 

Bend over. You have been hosed by crooks. $700 for a friggen fuel pump--$522 LABOR??? Any moron could replace that in 20 minutes. I would get the he*& out of there. If they charged you THAT much for a fuel pump R&R, do you have ANY IDEA what they would likely charge you to R&R a tuned port intake?!!! More than the car is worth. Sorry to sound unsupportive, but believe me, you will be much further ahead to bite the bullet and have your car shipped somewhere that's honest. Good luck.

 

And people wonder why *I* (we?) hate dealers! For THAT money, they must have dropped the tank. Being generous, an $80.00 pump for $120.00 at the dealer, a $10.00 filter, $20.00 at the dealer, a $5.00 sock, $10.00 at the dealer, 2 hours labor (waaaaay too long) and their fancy, $95.00 inspection (diagnostic) fee, and I come up with less than $450.00. Again, being generous (to them). All for what you could have done in your driveway for $100.00 or so, including the six pack. THAT is the definition of "Highway Robbery". "Clip the tourists!" I hate reading stories like that.

I hope you can afford to have them fix it.

RACE ON!!!