Help, my C5 won't start
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
Help, my C5 won't start
My C5 was in my barn for over 2 years and would not start so I changed the battery and the fuel filter and the engine just won't turn on. It cranks fine and when I spray starter fluid into the throttle body it will turn on for 2 seconds and then turn off. I do not hear the fuel pump cycle when I turn the key when I so I suspect that no gas is getting to the engine . What is the next step I need to do other than call for the tow truck. Come on corvette brethren I need a solution. Thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 0
From: Bedford TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
check your fuses. You might have just blown a fuse for the fuel pumps. If you have to get to them, remove your rear wheels and pull the plastic wheel well covers on the front side. The wiring might have been a target for critters.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 67
From: Bahama North Carolina
Fuse #13 and relay #35 in the engine compartment fuse box. If they are good check to see if any wiring may have been eaten by rodents.
Also check grounds. G401 on the left rear outer frame is the fuel pump ground.
Might also pull the codes to see if there is one that is preventing the pump from getting power.
Also check grounds. G401 on the left rear outer frame is the fuel pump ground.
Might also pull the codes to see if there is one that is preventing the pump from getting power.
You won't know for sure if it's your pump until you put a gauge on the rail and check pressure. Lots of possibilities in a car that has been sitting for 2 years. Was it in good condition when parked?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,493
Likes: 1,178
From: Dyer, IN
My C5 was in my barn for over 2 years and would not start so I changed the battery and the fuel filter and the engine just won't turn on. It cranks fine and when I spray starter fluid into the throttle body it will turn on for 2 seconds and then turn off. I do not hear the fuel pump cycle when I turn the key when I so I suspect that no gas is getting to the engine . What is the next step I need to do other than call for the tow truck. Come on corvette brethren I need a solution. Thanks.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 628
Likes: 4
From: Columbia SC
As others have said, spend some time with the car before subjecting yourself to a rapacious dealership or shop experience.
If you are not comfortable working on the car, perhaps a mechanically-inclined friend will help. Or maybe there is a Forum member in your area who might assist.
You might literally save a thousand dollars or more.
If you are not comfortable working on the car, perhaps a mechanically-inclined friend will help. Or maybe there is a Forum member in your area who might assist.
You might literally save a thousand dollars or more.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
Fuse #13 and relay #35 in the engine compartment fuse box. If they are good check to see if any wiring may have been eaten by rodents.
Also check grounds. G401 on the left rear outer frame is the fuel pump ground.
Might also pull the codes to see if there is one that is preventing the pump from getting power.
Also check grounds. G401 on the left rear outer frame is the fuel pump ground.
Might also pull the codes to see if there is one that is preventing the pump from getting power.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
What type of guage do I need to buy and where is the rail and where do I connect it to and what type of pressure number am I looking for. You can tell that I am a novice by the questions but you gotta learn sometime. thanks. BTW the rodents had set up a large bedroom on top of the battery and inside the front fender but I could not find any cut wires. Thanks
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Look on the drivers side fuel rail. On the FRONT of the rail, you will see a black cap. Under the cap, is a schrader valve. Any auto parts store will sell a schader type fuel pressure gage.
It just screws on to the end of the fuel rail. Theres a valve inside the schrader (just like a tire valve stem) that the fuel pressure gage presses on to allow the fuel to leave the fuel rail and enter the gage.
BC
It just screws on to the end of the fuel rail. Theres a valve inside the schrader (just like a tire valve stem) that the fuel pressure gage presses on to allow the fuel to leave the fuel rail and enter the gage.
BC
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
Look on the drivers side fuel rail. On the FRONT of the rail, you will see a black cap. Under the cap, is a schrader valve. Any auto parts store will sell a schader type fuel pressure gage.
It just screws on to the end of the fuel rail. Theres a valve inside the schrader (just like a tire valve stem) that the fuel pressure gage presses on to allow the fuel to leave the fuel rail and enter the gage.
BC
It just screws on to the end of the fuel rail. Theres a valve inside the schrader (just like a tire valve stem) that the fuel pressure gage presses on to allow the fuel to leave the fuel rail and enter the gage.
BC
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 67
From: Bahama North Carolina
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What kind of mods do you have? You may not be using the stock fuel rail. The valve is not hard to see and is the only thing capped off in that area.
