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I need serious help.

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Old Aug 11, 2002 | 08:25 PM
  #1  
flyin red TA's Avatar
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From: Barbaria
Default I need serious help.

I have a 98 TA, full boltons, cam, but stock programming. Randomly the car won't turn on. It doesn't matter what the weather is like or if the engine is hot or cold. This problem started happening about a week ago. It's weird because I haven't changed a single thing on the car in about 6 months.

It went to the dealer friday when I couldn't start it. $120 later and they couldn't find anything wrong. I went to pick it up, and it still wouldn't start. They jumped it and sent me on my way. Later that night I bought a new battery and installed it, and figured it would be ok. It started fine for a while, and eventually the car doesn't start again. So now the car is totally charged up and won't start, so I figure the starter has to be bad. So I go out and buy a new starter today and put it in. It started about 5 or 6 times, and now it's stuck in the driveway again. It's like the car isn't getting fuel or spark.

About a month ago a stupid friend of mine was installing a nitrous kit and grounded the battery. Sparks went flying, but I thought nothing of it back then. I'm beginning to think he may have fried the computer. I don't know what else it could be. I don't have any SES lights aside from EGR and AIR.

If it doesn't get fixed this week I'll put it back to stock and sell it.
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Old Aug 11, 2002 | 08:56 PM
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Default Re: I need serious help.

Being you already have stupid friend (those are your words) <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> I'll give you a stupid suggestion, give your other ignition key a try. There's been a lot of cases were it's just been a bad computer chip in the key, good luck.

Al
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Old Aug 11, 2002 | 09:02 PM
  #3  
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Default Re: I need serious help.

Yep...bet that does it,them Techs dont ever check that one.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by DARK AGE 53:
<strong>Being you already have stupid friend (those are your words) <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> I'll give you a stupid suggestion, give your other ignition key a try. There's been a lot of cases were it's just been a bad computer chip in the key, good luck.
Al</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">
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Old Aug 11, 2002 | 09:15 PM
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Default Re: I need serious help.

#1
Does it even crank over?

If not I would be concerned with the positive and negative wires for the starter.

#2
Does it crank and crank?

If it does than I would be concerned with fuel delivery.
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Old Aug 12, 2002 | 01:18 AM
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flyin red TA's Avatar
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From: Barbaria
Default Re: I need serious help.

After sitting for a few hours it started again, so I drove it back to the dealer.

I tried my spare key a few times. It doesn't make a difference. When it won't start it cranks and cranks, like it is on the edge of starting but it never quite makes it there. I made sure the wires for the starter weren't burnt or touching the pass side header when I installed it today. The wires are very close to the header though, maybe 1cm away.

My 02 readings at WOT have been kind of funny lately, so maybe the pump is going bad. I would have checked the psi at idle but I couldn't find a gauge that read high enough.

Thanks for the replies.
Jim
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Old Aug 12, 2002 | 07:27 AM
  #6  
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From: Mi./Al.
Default Re: I need serious help.

Damn it, I was hoping my dumb suggestion would work <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="gr_emb.gif" /> . There's so many things that could be causing this problem for you I hesitate to give another suggestion but I will, do you think your spark plugs could be going bad after spraying nitrous? Keep us informed on what you find out, again good luck.
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Old Aug 12, 2002 | 09:57 AM
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Default Re: I need serious help.

I had the EXACT same thing happen to my lightly modded 94 vette around 1998. The local chevy dealer and the corvette specialist locally could not figure out the cause after several trips and $$$. After a year and a half, my patience ran out. I ended up selling that car when word got out just how quick the new LS1 cars were. I wish you better luck with your situation.
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Old Aug 12, 2002 | 11:00 AM
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Default Re: I need serious help.

I'm not sure on the LS1 motors, but on the LT1's, the opti unit was notorious for this kind of foolishness. Might be worth looking into.
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Old Aug 12, 2002 | 01:19 PM
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Default Re: I need serious help.

Easy test for fuel pressure is to put a mechanical fuel pressure gauge on the Scrader valve on the fuel rail.

Were you giving it gas and it would not start?
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Old Aug 12, 2002 | 02:17 PM
  #10  
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Default Re: I need serious help.

I had exactly the same thing with my 98 Z28. Try replacing the fuel pump relay (there are a few that look the same). When I discovered that it had no fuel pressure I switched relay with A/C and the fuel pressure was back. The problem is it has happened twice over the last 4-5 weeks so something is wrong. At least I know how to fix it.
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Old Aug 12, 2002 | 03:39 PM
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Default Re: I need serious help.

I had the EXACT same problem. Try swapping your IGN Relay under the hood with one of the fan relays. I had a freaky relay that would allow the car to start randomly.

Blake
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Old Aug 12, 2002 | 05:40 PM
  #12  
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From: Barbaria
Default Re: I need serious help.

The plugs are new NGK TR5s or 55s that I installed last week. The dealer called and said the fuel system is fine, and that the problem is in the ignition. They're going to replace the ignition module tomorrow and go from there.
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