Starting Problem
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 1
From: Northern Ohio
Starting Problem
I'm in the process of selling my '92 Camaro. The engine is a 3.1L. The person buying it is a friend, and she's making payments, so technically it's still my car.
She told me she's been having trouble with it not starting. Her husband driver's it most. The one time that I got to see the car when it was not starting, it would turn over, but not fire. I didn't have anything with me to do a check for spark etc.
Usually, after letting it sit for a while, the car will start up again.
A couple of things she said to me seemed odd. She said that she's had trouble getting the keys out of the ignition. She said that one time the car started up idling real erratic, but it's never done that again. She had trouble turning it off once, and lastly, she mentioned lights dimming on the inside of the car, but not the headlights that she's seen.
The alternator is new, the battery has been recently tested and is still under its 3 yr warranty, I'm pretty confident it's in good shape. The ignition module was replaced 'bout 3-5 yrs ago. I just did a tuneup on it a few years back and it's hardly been driven. Also, I had the whole top end apart, cleaned out the intake, and had the fuel injectors sent out for flow testing and cleaning.
Seems like the only thing that hasn't been replaced is the coil and the distributor in the "spark" category. I didn't listen for the fuel pump, so I'm not sure if that could be a problem or not.
The part about her not being able to get her keys out makes me wonder if the ingition is going faulty. I have the VATS system on my car.
Can someone tell me if the Vats would cause the car to not fire, but still rotate?
What do you guys suggest otherwise? Should I go through the normal steps? Is it getting a spark, fuel, compression, etc.? Is there anyway to tell anyways, if the car starts up ok or do I have to wait 'til it won't start again?
Her husband is on vacation, so he doesn't plan on driving the car much for the next 2 weeks, so now would be a good time to nip this problem in the bud.
Mathius
She told me she's been having trouble with it not starting. Her husband driver's it most. The one time that I got to see the car when it was not starting, it would turn over, but not fire. I didn't have anything with me to do a check for spark etc.
Usually, after letting it sit for a while, the car will start up again.
A couple of things she said to me seemed odd. She said that she's had trouble getting the keys out of the ignition. She said that one time the car started up idling real erratic, but it's never done that again. She had trouble turning it off once, and lastly, she mentioned lights dimming on the inside of the car, but not the headlights that she's seen.
The alternator is new, the battery has been recently tested and is still under its 3 yr warranty, I'm pretty confident it's in good shape. The ignition module was replaced 'bout 3-5 yrs ago. I just did a tuneup on it a few years back and it's hardly been driven. Also, I had the whole top end apart, cleaned out the intake, and had the fuel injectors sent out for flow testing and cleaning.
Seems like the only thing that hasn't been replaced is the coil and the distributor in the "spark" category. I didn't listen for the fuel pump, so I'm not sure if that could be a problem or not.
The part about her not being able to get her keys out makes me wonder if the ingition is going faulty. I have the VATS system on my car.
Can someone tell me if the Vats would cause the car to not fire, but still rotate?
What do you guys suggest otherwise? Should I go through the normal steps? Is it getting a spark, fuel, compression, etc.? Is there anyway to tell anyways, if the car starts up ok or do I have to wait 'til it won't start again?
Her husband is on vacation, so he doesn't plan on driving the car much for the next 2 weeks, so now would be a good time to nip this problem in the bud.
Mathius
TGO Supporter
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 11
From: conway, s.c.
Car: 1989 Iroc-Z
Engine: 5.7L TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Yes, there is a situation with VATS where the car will rotate and not fire. If you would like, I can post the test for it. Is she getting the check engine light when this happens and is it throwing a code 46?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
92camaroJoe
Tech / General Engine
6
Aug 13, 2015 06:07 AM
