C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

ignition problem, fuel problem or what?

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Old Jul 5, 2004 | 07:32 PM
  #1  
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Default ignition problem, fuel problem or what?

My 86 has been running great until now. Starts and then doesn't start. Had a
fuel pump problem I thought. Replaced it. It will start and then just quite. This
happens at idle or just going down the street. I've got spark and fuel. What
would cause this. Someone told me it could possibly be the oil presure switch.
I'm going to replace it but if it continues what then? Need help.

sharkman
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Old Jul 5, 2004 | 07:37 PM
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Default Re: ignition problem, fuel problem or what? (sharkman)

you might want to:

#1 - verify the fuel pressure by checking it at the shrader valve (pass. side fuel rail).

#2 - when was the last time you changed the fuel filter?

#3 - are the plugs and wires in good (relatively new) shape?

#4 - what is the oil pressure read out on the dash: does it go to zero BEFORE the car stalls out or after?

#5 - does the car run for any length of time, sputter, or stall out, or does it just catch & idle for a second and then quit?

#6 - if the fuel pressure, plugs and wires check out, you may want to consider a bad ignition module or coil. Does the car rev at all?

Just my thoughts...


[Modified by Ramanstud, 7:38 PM 7/5/2004]
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Old Jul 5, 2004 | 08:43 PM
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Default Re: ignition problem, fuel problem or what? (sharkman)

Someone told me it could possibly be the oil presure switch.
I'm going to replace it but if it continues what then? Need help.

sharkman
It is NOT the oil pressure switch. When the oil pressure reaches about 4 pounds, the switch closes and provides a parallel to the fuel pump relay, current supply. Unless the relay is bad, the oil pressure switch wouldn't even be noticable if it were bad.

RACE ON!!!
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Old Jul 6, 2004 | 12:41 AM
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Default Re: ignition problem, fuel problem or what? (CFI-EFI)

It could be the oil pressure switch because when the engine starts and is generating oil pressure, the oil pressure switch is the only source of 12v to run the fuel pump. The fuel pump relay is only activated for 2 seconds when you begin cranking.
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Old Jul 6, 2004 | 11:24 AM
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Default Re: ignition problem, fuel problem or what? (jfb)

It could be the oil pressure switch because when the engine starts and is generating oil pressure, the oil pressure switch is the only source of 12v to run the fuel pump. The fuel pump relay is only activated for 2 seconds when you begin cranking.
That is NOT correct. The ECM runs the pump for two seconds, when the ignition is activated. When the ECM "sees" pulses from the distributor, as it does during cranking OR running, it closes the fuel pump relay, primary circuit, activating the fuel pump. The relay continues to supply current to the pump after the engine starts, since the distributor still sending pulses. The oil pressure switch and the relay are wired in parallel. the oil pressure switch acts as a back-up to the relay, in case of relay failure. At the risk of repeating myself:
It is NOT the oil pressure switch. When the oil pressure reaches about 4 pounds, the switch closes and provides a parallel (circuit) to the fuel pump relay, current supply. Unless the relay is bad, the oil pressure switch wouldn't even be noticable if it were bad.
RACE ON!!!
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Old Jul 6, 2004 | 02:23 PM
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Default Re: ignition problem, fuel problem or what? (sharkman)

IAC can do that if it is stuck...Pull it and adjust to the 1 1/8" spec and see if she starts.

Thats assuming you have spark and fuel. HTH Good Luck
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Old Jul 6, 2004 | 02:41 PM
  #7  
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Default Re: ignition problem, fuel problem or what? (Unriced)

Check your primary grounds for good clean contacts. You may have a bad one and the vibration of "running' the car may be causing an intermittent contact. Just a thought.
Also, I'm in agreement with CFI-EFI as to the wiring of the oil pressure switch.


[Modified by ittlfly, 11:41 AM 7/6/2004]
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Old Jul 6, 2004 | 10:26 PM
  #8  
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Default Re: ignition problem, fuel problem or what? (Unriced)

IAC can do that if it is stuck...Pull it and adjust to the 1 1/8" spec and see if she starts.
The 1 1/8th" IAC spec is simply for installation, to prevent damage to the pintle and/or the pintle seat. Chances are, that it will never be in that position again after it recalibrates.
This happens at idle or just going down the street.
I can't imagine the IAC killing the engine, while driving down the road.

It sounds like an intermittent ignition problem. I would be doing all the trouble shooting tests in the service manual, while wiggling the applicable wires during the individual tests.

RACE ON!!!

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Old Jul 8, 2004 | 01:14 AM
  #9  
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Default Re: ignition problem, fuel problem or what? (sharkman)

Thanks, guys, lots of ideas for me to try. She starts fine and after running at
idle she just quits. No shudder, cough nothing just quits. Does this while going
do the street to. I might get a few miles one day and the next I might not
make it out of the driveway. I've got spark, oil pressure shows to be around
55 to 60 most of the time. Could the ignition module do this. All wires appear
to be in good shape and connectors look fine. I even blew them out with air
for dust ect. Is there a roll over switch or something that might cause the
ignition or fuel pump to shut off?

sharkman
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Old Jul 9, 2004 | 12:23 AM
  #10  
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Default

When it won't start, unplug an injector and connect a low power 12v lamp across the injector socket and crank the engine. You should see the lamp pulse while cranking. If it does pulse, measure the fuel pressure and then watch the pressure after a crank and turning off the ignition. If the pressure drops rapidly, you have leaky injectors causing a hard start due to rich mixture.
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Old Jul 17, 2004 | 02:08 AM
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Default Engine just quitting

I had the exact same thing happen to me, i replaced the fuel pump to no avail, then after i replaced the fuel filter i never had any more trouble
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Old Jul 17, 2004 | 09:37 AM
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Default

Fuel filter is the first place I'd start-if you haven't already replace it. How about the cats?
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