Vette Hard to Start
#1
Vette Hard to Start
I have less than 5000 miles on 2011 GS and already have replaced both fuel pumps. Car was hard to start and dealer replaced a weak fuel pump. Thought this was end of my problems. After a short time and a few miles problem started again. The other fuel pump was replaced. Thought my problems was solved. Now car is worse than it was in beginning. Has anyone had this kind of problem with their vette.
#2
Race Director
What are the symptoms? What is it doing or not doing? If its fuel related I would check the fuel pump relay first.
And as far as I know there is only one fuel pump not two.
And as far as I know there is only one fuel pump not two.
#3
You can let car sit over nite and it will be hard to start next day. I was told both times that fuel pump was weak and needed replacement. After replacing it would start normal for a few weeks and then hard to start again, just like nothing had been done. After two fuel pumps it is doing it again.
#4
Team Owner
Member Since: Dec 2012
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What exactly do you mean by hard to start ? Does it turn over normally and just not catch ? Or does it cough and sputter before starting ? Once it does start does it idle smoothly and take fuel with no stumbles ? Under load does the engine stumble ? First thing to do is check the fuel pressure when cranking and then when the car is running. I am not sure what the normal PSI is, but I am sure someone here will chime in with that info. Good luck.
#5
Sounds like a weak battery, based on the description. Are you using a maintainer? Has the battery ever been allowed to drain?
Have you had the battery tested? The alternator?
Have you had the battery tested? The alternator?
#6
When I say Hard to Start----Car will turn over normal but does not start immediately. it should start as soon as you push button. This car will keep turning over for about 5 or more seconds before it ever starts. When it was repaired before, both times GM told me it had a weak fuel pump.
#7
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When I say Hard to Start----Car will turn over normal but does not start immediately. it should start as soon as you push button. This car will keep turning over for about 5 or more seconds before it ever starts. When it was repaired before, both times GM told me it had a weak fuel pump.
#10
Melting Slicks
Had a similar problem on my C5. Patsgarage nailed it. There was a slight pressure leak from a defective O-ring (I believe) in one of the gas tanks. The fuel pressure would be lower when started the next day.
The dealer found it by attaching a fuel pressure gauge at the end of the day and the next morning the fuel pressure was much less.
Thought he told me he used some smoke device to determine the source of the pressure leak.
The dealer found it by attaching a fuel pressure gauge at the end of the day and the next morning the fuel pressure was much less.
Thought he told me he used some smoke device to determine the source of the pressure leak.
#11
I have appointment to take car in for diagnostics. Hopefully they will find problem this time. Could it be its just defective parts? Two separate times they have changed fuel pumps. It is acting like it could be fuel pump again. Is this possible? Can't find anyone else that has had this problem with their vette.
#12
Melting Slicks
If your problem is starting when engine is cold (morning), See #10. I would recommend a leak down test overnight to see if there is a fuel pressure leak.
#16
Le Mans Master
It's very common issue on the C6 of having a poor connection at the fuse block causing an intermittent short. This results in what appears to be fp failure.
Simply use a jumper wire to power the fp just after the fuse block(when it fails to start) and see if it fires right up.
I've said it before, these fuel pumps rarely fail. My guess is the tech failed to diagnose the issue correctly which is very common unfortunately.
Simply use a jumper wire to power the fp just after the fuse block(when it fails to start) and see if it fires right up.
I've said it before, these fuel pumps rarely fail. My guess is the tech failed to diagnose the issue correctly which is very common unfortunately.
#17
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It's very common issue on the C6 of having a poor connection at the fuse block causing an intermittent short. This results in what appears to be fp failure.
Simply use a jumper wire to power the fp just after the fuse block(when it fails to start) and see if it fires right up.
I've said it before, these fuel pumps rarely fail. My guess is the tech failed to diagnose the issue correctly which is very common unfortunately.
Simply use a jumper wire to power the fp just after the fuse block(when it fails to start) and see if it fires right up.
I've said it before, these fuel pumps rarely fail. My guess is the tech failed to diagnose the issue correctly which is very common unfortunately.
My car starts normal about 50 % of the time regardless of it being or hot or cold.
Can you please explain the fuse box, did you mean to bypass the fuse altogether ?
is that hard to do ?
thanks
#18
Le Mans Master
I have less than 5000 miles on 2011 GS and already have replaced both fuel pumps. Car was hard to start and dealer replaced a weak fuel pump. Thought this was end of my problems. After a short time and a few miles problem started again. The other fuel pump was replaced. Thought my problems was solved. Now car is worse than it was in beginning. Has anyone had this kind of problem with their vette.
So let's assume that the dealer replaced the same electric fuel pump in the left tank twice. That would indicate a dealer that was more interested in doing warranty work than solving problems. A faulty fuel pump will cause more issues than just hard starting. If it is hard to start it will also start cutting out under WOT. IF there is any fuel problem at start up it would most likely be the check valve in the fuel line. There is a check valve between the fuel pump and the fuel filter (W on the second page - http://www.hessh.de/Corvette/FuelTankSystem.pdf ). That prevents fuel from draining back into the tank when the engine is stopped. You should maintain 51 PSI at the fuel rails for at least 5 minutes after the engine stops. A leaky fuel pressure regulator ( V ) or Secondary pressure regulator in the right tank (G) could cause fuel pressure to leak down. The procedures to check all of the components in the fuel system as well as all of the other things that can produce hard starting are in the service manual. It doesn't sound like the dealer has much interest in reading those procedures if all they have done is the very expensive task of replacing the same pump twice.
#20
2nd Gear
Member Since: Jul 2014
Location: Charlotte NC
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Frustrated!!!
I have a 2008 C6 automatic with intermittent starting issues. In park when hit start button, click and dash lights go out. When lights come back on push accessory get in neutral, push start button and it starts. Someone said it is the neutral safety switch? Anyone have an idea how to solve the problem?
Last edited by Fred H; 07-01-2014 at 01:42 PM.