87 vette no start

[jeff eggert]

OK, let me come up with the dumbest question ever.

Do you have a trouble code?
If not, does the SES light work?

Someone mentioned the knock sensor.

Can the knock sensor set a code?

Just a thought.

no codes not dumbest question have changed knock sensor

 

[killain]

Jeff, I know this is stupid, but after seeing mailman, post, I was wondering about the dampener on the front of the crank. So If you disconect the EST wire, and remove the #1 plug, stick in a small screwdriver, and slowly turn over the engine. You will see the handle of the screwdriver slowly go down and you should be able to acually see if your at TDC on #1 cylinder, install the dist and see if it starts and then if you can set the timing to 6 degrees?

 

[jeff eggert]

I showed this thread to a my son in-law and we wondered why
it will not start after you disconnect the EST wire and set
your timing to 6 deg . Is it possible you are fighting 2 problems ??

Is your timing light accurate ?

Has the outer ring on the Harmonic Balancer slipped ?
Check TDC mark on balancer off # 1 cyl


After looking over your posts we think that you should first find
why it will not start after you set the timing and try to start it with
the EST wire disconnected .



Have you you checked the ESC Module Pass Side by Heater Blower ??



I have a extra Chilton's I can send you if you e-mail me your address.
What you probably need is a Red cover FSM ,but i do not have one for my 87 . I know that the Factory Service Manual has been worth the $$ for my 92 .

Did you get a chance to do any searches on this forum ? Takes a little time but learn a lot from these old threads .

I have been useing ALL DATA its an online service manual you subscribe to ,its better than chiltons its like a factory service manual have replaced ESC module wont start at 6degrees must advance about 15 wont start if est wire is connected or not have checked for tdc timing mark is ok dont know how to serch forum am computer illiterate the ecm and the distributer dont seem to be talking to each other I am trying to find out why it wont start with timing set at factory specs

 

[jeff eggert]

Jeff, I know this is stupid, but after seeing mailman, post, I was wondering about the dampener on the front of the crank. So If you disconect the EST wire, and remove the #1 plug, stick in a small screwdriver, and slowly turn over the engine. You will see the handle of the screwdriver slowly go down and you should be able to acually see if your at TDC on #1 cylinder, install the dist and see if it starts and then if you can set the timing to 6 degrees?

not stupid have checked as you say timing mark is ok still wont start at factory specs why are you up at this hour I just got home from work

 

[killain]

not stupid have checked as you say timing mark is ok still wont start at factory specs why are you up at this hour I just got home from work

Jeff I'm trying to help. So I'm trying to eliminate anything that doesn't have to do with the engine starting. If we have compression, fuel and spark it must run, Not good but run. So I'm thinking if you strip back all the other effects and just set the enging to it's basic settings perhaps it will start, and the, we could try connecting the EST wire and see if that has a positive or negitaive effect. I have a 1984 through 1996 Haynes manual and I'm simply quoting from that troubleshooting section? Tell me what I can do to help. There is also corvettemechanic.com where you might find more expert technician advice.

 

[vette079]

I know you´re tired of trying this and trying that, but last straw of hope from me here.

Are you 100% sure your SES light works?

A very simple 2 minute test. Start engine like you did before and try to keep it running with someones help.
Disconnect the TPS connector, and verify if SES light comes up.
Just to see if ECM responds to the TPS.
You might already have done stuff like this, but I haven´t seen you mention it.
If no SES light, check if the bulb is OK.
If the bulb is OK, and you don´t get a code from the disconnected TPS, then you are there: ECM problemos muchos, non contactos con sensors.
Just a thought...

 

[jeff eggert]

Jeff I'm trying to help. So I'm trying to eliminate anything that doesn't have to do with the engine starting. If we have compression, fuel and spark it must run, Not good but run. So I'm think if you strip back all the other effects and just set the enging to it's basic settings perhaps it will start, and the, we could try connecting the ESt wire and see if that has a positive or negitaive effect. I have a 1984 through 1996 Haynes manual and I'm simply quoting from that troubleshooting section? Tell me what I can do to help. There is also corvettemechanic.com where you might find more epert technician advice.

I was saying youre question wasnt stupid IT WONT START AT FACTORY SETTINGS

 

[jeff eggert]

I know you´re tired of trying this and trying that, but last straw of hope from me here.

Are you 100% sure your SES light works?

A very simple 2 minute test. Start engine like you did before and try to keep it running with someones help.
Disconnect the TPS connector, and verify if SES light comes up.
Just to see if ECM responds to the TPS.
You might already have done stuff like this, but I haven´t seen you mention it.
If no SES light, check if the bulb is OK.
If the bulb is OK, and you don´t get a code from the disconnected TPS, then you are there: ECM problemos muchos, non contactos con sensors.
Just a thought...

ses light works

 

[vette079]

Damn, I was hoping it could be that. Might have set a code so we could have solved it. Back in the thinking chair again...

 

[jeff eggert]

ITS ALIVE!!!!!!

Any progress ?

turns out it was a bad coil ,weak spark wont ark under compression ,advancing timing caused spark at a point where cylender has less compression so it would fire ,thanks to all who tried to help ,Jeff

 

[LT4man]

In all my years of working on these buggers (40+), I do not think I ran into more than 1 or 2 weak coils. Usually an ignition coil takes a dump and there is NO spark at all.

Congratulations on repairing your Vette. I know it can be very frustrating, to say the least!

SAVE THE

 

[TWISTERUP]

CONGRATS--As a member thanks for posting what actually fixed your '87