Lunch Break Woes - No Start!
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Richwood NJ
Lunch Break Woes - No Start!
So I left work on my lunch break only to find my 1999 won't start 
I'm trying to troubleshoot this thing in the remaining hours I have left at work, but I'm fully prepared to not drive it home! The symptoms are as follows:
Brand new full tank of gas after previously being very low. (Possibly bad gas??!?!) Car ran fine for about 30 minutes. Car was parked for about 10 minutes and started back up fine.... 6 hours later... car starts briefly then stalls. Won't start back up. Engine turns over fine, but won't start.
I'm thinking it's either a fuel issue or ignition issue, but am unsure how to proceed troubleshooting. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. As of now, I'm STUCK AT WORK!
I'm trying to troubleshoot this thing in the remaining hours I have left at work, but I'm fully prepared to not drive it home! The symptoms are as follows:Brand new full tank of gas after previously being very low. (Possibly bad gas??!?!) Car ran fine for about 30 minutes. Car was parked for about 10 minutes and started back up fine.... 6 hours later... car starts briefly then stalls. Won't start back up. Engine turns over fine, but won't start.
I'm thinking it's either a fuel issue or ignition issue, but am unsure how to proceed troubleshooting. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. As of now, I'm STUCK AT WORK!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,019
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From: az
Do you hear the fuel pump making a noise when you turn the ignition on? You may have an oil pressure sending unit that's disconnected or bad.
Thread Starter
Instructor
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From: Richwood NJ
Do you hear the fuel pump making a noise when you turn the ignition on?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Richwood NJ
Is there a quick way of testing if the pump is bad? I was reading about checking the fuel pressure? Not sure how to do that though.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Richwood NJ
Unfortunately, no. I'm not the original owner and didn't ever bother to get a spare made. I'm reluctant to thing it's a "security" issue though since the car does crank. If it were a security issue, would the car still crank?
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
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Did you run the codes? You only need to have the ignition on to do it.
Here's how and a brief summary of the codes....
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...D=26&TopicID=1
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Richwood NJ
The car will crank if it's a VATS issue - it won't turn over.
I've been reading about the Schrader valve on the driver side fuel rail. I turned the key to the ON position and pushed the valve. Nothing at all came out. Is this indicative of a fuel pump failure?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,267
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From: New York NY
It could be the fuel filter....running the fuel way down, means you start to pick up all of the junk that collects in the bottom of the tank. Usually though it will start after the car starts and the gunk has a chance to settle.....hmmmm.
Also have a listen and make sure your fuel pump is running. It's right in front of the drivers side rear tire. Have someone turn your ignition on (not crank) while you listen for the pump.
Just a coupld of ideas.
Also have a listen and make sure your fuel pump is running. It's right in front of the drivers side rear tire. Have someone turn your ignition on (not crank) while you listen for the pump.
Just a coupld of ideas.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,898
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From: Sahuarita AZ
with the key in the on position, the fuel pump should pressurize the system. even with the car off for several hours i get fuel spraying out of the schrader valve when i depress it.
i would try cleaning the pellet first but it sounds like a fuel pressure problem.
i would try cleaning the pellet first but it sounds like a fuel pressure problem.
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
Thread Starter
Instructor
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From: Richwood NJ
Speaking of fuel pumps. I did try to listen if the pump was running. I put my ear to the car to listen for it, but didn't have any help. Should I be able to hear it run with the ignition in the ON position, or will someone have to try and start it? I know torchredfrc just said:
with the key in the on position, the fuel pump should pressurize the system.
I also read in the referenced thread that a disconnected ground could be causing the fuel pump not to work. Any merit to this?
Thanks again for helping me out guys! I really really appreciate everyone's input. I'd be lost without it!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,898
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From: Sahuarita AZ
My car is a 99 with around 85,000 miles on it. I would honestly say you're more likely to have problems with the fuel filter being clogged than the fuel pump dieing on you. However, if you're not hearing the pump turn on maybe it is the culpret. Have you checked your fuzes?
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Instructor
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From: Richwood NJ
Not yet. I had to leave the car at work overnight. Not too thrilled about that.... But I will check them first thing in the morning. Which fuses should I be checking?
Also, regarding the filter. I've been reading that our filters are still outside the tank, but where exactly is the filter located? Is it pretty easy to replace? If so, I'll just replace it and see what happens.... go from there.
Also, regarding the filter. I've been reading that our filters are still outside the tank, but where exactly is the filter located? Is it pretty easy to replace? If so, I'll just replace it and see what happens.... go from there.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,496
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From: San Dimas Ca.
Hope you figured it out. Sure sounds like you have no fuel pressure if you tried the schrader valve. So it has to be A. the fuse B. the filter or C. the pump. If it's the fuse you have to wonder why it would go. Anyway good luck, tell us what you find. 
Rick
Rick
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,898
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From: Sahuarita AZ
Check Relay #35 and mini fuse #13 in the under hood fuse block. I'm making some PDF's for troubleshooting for you. I'll have them posted shortly.
This is going to sound like a stupid question but are you sure you have fuel? The level sensor in my 99 is flaky at times and I find I often have less fuel than the gauge indicates.
Where are you located? If you happen to know someone with a Tech-2 you can do some pretty detailed diagnostics. It's always good to fill out your profile so if someone here is in your area you might even find a helpful hand to turn a wrench in a parking lot.
This is going to sound like a stupid question but are you sure you have fuel? The level sensor in my 99 is flaky at times and I find I often have less fuel than the gauge indicates.
Where are you located? If you happen to know someone with a Tech-2 you can do some pretty detailed diagnostics. It's always good to fill out your profile so if someone here is in your area you might even find a helpful hand to turn a wrench in a parking lot.
Last edited by torchredfrc; Feb 26, 2008 at 12:39 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Richwood NJ
Thanks for working on those PDF's! I really appreciate it. I'll check the relay/fuse in the morning. Hopefully that'll be it although it probably won't be that easy! Regarding fuel, I actually JUST filled the tank on my way into work. The tank was pretty low when I filled it, so I suppose it is possible I sucked up some crap and clogged the filter. I'm curious though, how frequently do these things (clogged filter / failing pump) result in sudden lose of fuel supply. Wouldn't a failing pump cause problems prior to just all out quitting on me? At any rate, thanks again for working on those PDF's. I'll make sure to put em to good use in the morning! Oh btw, I'm in Southern NJ, outside Philadelphia.