I know this post probably has been posted a million times, or maybe i am in the wrong post thread.. but take a look, i bet you'll have no answer either!

Alright so i just uncovered my password for LS1tech over the pile of dust since 05' lol and haven't had any problems with my car since (that'd be a big lie)! But this one has seemed to STUMP! and i mean STUMP everyone i come into contact with, or ask... Mechanics with 25-30yrs experience, FORGET IT! Starter & alternator repairs, nothing! Auto part stores, ha joke.. Even wal-mart! imagine that! You name it! I've asked!! Now i am coming to you guy's.. THE BEST AROUND!!

The problem: 01 Z28 will not start!!! Starter is good, car turns over... I have been jobless for a year so my car has just sat for months at a time, back in Dec. of 09' it would take bout 3-4 cranks to start, then 5-8 cranks, then just went dead!
Solution: NOT FOUND!
Results: I have tried everything man, from charging my 4-5 yr old Red top optima battery, having it tested at wal-mart (good battery). To having a friend run a diagnostics with his 10k Snap-on computer to find the problem, nothing throwed or gave there! So i ripped out the alternator and had it tested, needed a new regulator, replaced it, and still won't start!!!! Dude i am stranded and do not know what to do! Please help!

IS IT THE FUEL PUMP???

End result: MY CAR IS HAUNTED!!!
Only thing i haven't tried is handing my baby over to a Chevy dealership and having them charge me out the A-hole!!! NO FUN!!!!

Please help.. The big car show ROD RUNS in Pigeon Forge, TN is next week, I would love to have it up and running by then! I appreciate every comment or concern! THANKS
-Trey

P.S. I AM DESPERATE lol

 

do you hear the fuel pump when you turn the key on?

 

Sounds like you got a igniton relay or starter relay issue possibly. My car did the same thing about a year ago. It cranked just fine and had fuel pressure of around 50 to 55 psi. I believe it was a ignition relay. If the car is cranking fine and you have fuel pressure then it can only be one other thing. No spark. Have your buddie check the fuel pressure while cranking the car over. As long as its around 45psi or better then you should be good there. But I would def check out those relays.... Good luck

 

Blk- Yes, always the first ? lol
Justin- ok thx alot man! appreciate it!

any other suggestions?

 

I had one of the ground wires on the back of the drivers side head come loose one time. car just died in the drive through line and wouldn't start. embarrassing as hell. It would crank, had good fuel pressure but wouldn't start.

 

No problem man. Hey I noticed you were born in S. Florida. I am down in Port St. Lucie. Been here for about 2 years now, came down from Mass. Good luck. Let me know how you make out

 

Awesome man, yup know just right where u are.. I had a condo on the beach for many years down in Hutchinson island for awhile, i was born in Ft. Lauderdale tho.. did alot of surfin and fishing down there! Twas the life my friend! Now i joined the Navy... hate this friggin state! Gna be a welder.. ship out on Sept. 15th for Great Lakes.

 

Well my friend PROPS to ya.. Good luck and hope you get this figured out before then. LOL

 

Vats?????

 

Thanks man!

 

What are VATS???

 

Well my car wouldn't start with under 12.3 volts of charge, but would with 12.6 volts going to that monster of a computer system that drains the dang battery!! So we have tapped the MAF sensor.. started right up, did it again, and nothing... charged the battery, starts up, tried it again with it charged, and nothing???? WTF MAN!!!!

 

Like the others said, check the relays and the VATS. If you do a search for "VATS", there is a thread that shows how to bypass it with a resistor. You'll have to check the resistance on the small chip on your key first with an ohmmeter. Then, whatever it reads, you need to get a resistor that has the same resistance. You can do this at Radio Shack and should only cost you like $2.00 at the most.

After you do all of that, do some searching/reading on here to find out what to do next (I can't remember off the top of my head).

 

Maybe a new fuel filter would help. You say that the car sat for a year, maybe some new gas would help out. Good luck with your problem.

 

Naw i had been jobless for a year.. my car was driven off & on.. the gas is new... not the gas. But could possibly b the fuel pump! Thx!

 

??? Ok a little confusing to me, but will ask around

 

Check/clean all your grounds.
- 3 on back of drivers side head.
- 1 right above the starter
- 1 goes to the drivers side frame rail right below the brake lines.

If this doesn't help any, then check and make sure you've got plenty of fuel pressure at the rail. Get someone to turn it over while you're checking the pressure. It should be between 50-60psi.

If that checks out good, next step is to check all fuses and make sure the ignition fuses are all good (these power coil packs). Also swap around some relays to make sure one of those haven't gone bad.

Also you probably should clean your maf sensor to. Especially if it's been sitting up for awhile.

 

Thx alot man! thats helpful!

 

Oh and I forgot there is also a ground on the passenger side shock tower.

Let us know what happens after you check all this.

 

My brother had a similar problem a couple of weeks ago in his '01 and it turned out to be a loose ground inside under the dash somewhere. At first we thought it was the ignition switch, but it turned out to be a ground. Good luck.