Help! 1996 LT-4 fuel delivery problem

[PoloII96]

Hello, my 1996 LT4 corvette the other day started then stopped as if out of gas. It would crank but no fire. The gauge read 1/2 full. I wondered if the gauge was wrong, and empty. I put a couple gallons in and it started right up. I then filled the tank to see if the gauge was off. It was not. The car runs and drives fine now, and I'm wondering what may be causing this to happen. Thank you for any advice.

 

[Tuna]

#1 Pull codes to see if any were set
#2 Check the fuel pressure - put a gauge on it and see what it's doing

That's my first 2 thoughts.

 

[96gs917]

Like Tuna said, the first thing I would do is see in there are any codes stored.
You can go to Pep Boys, or one of the other guys and they will read any codes that
are present, or stored in memory.

Also, how many miles are on the car? Has it done this before? Was it stored for a period of time?

Good Luck.

 

[PoloII96]

Thanks. I will start there. It never triped the SES light. But I do have a scan tool and fuel pressure gauge I can hook up to the fuel rail. Thank you.

 

[jmhorn52]

Is it possible you have a dirty fuel filter or dirt in the tank

 

[PoloII96]

Is it possible you have a dirty fuel filter or dirt in the tank

It's possible it was dirt. I scanned the engine and no trouble codes were found. This weekend I will change the fuel filter and see if the condition will duplicate. The car never has done this before. it was odd that it I could hear the fuel pump start but no fuel was getting to the engine until after adding gas. Fuel pressure also seemed fine.

 

[John Robinson]

I fought a problem like this on a Corvair many years ago. Like your car it would run great and then stop. I finally realized like you it only happened with less than a 1/2 tank of gas. I finally pulled the tank and found that the pick up tube had come off the fuel pump. Since the fuel pump on our cars is so simple to remove you might start there. As suggested do a fuel pressure check first. In fact if convenient run the fuel pressure gauge up onto the windshield and tape it there. Run the car and see if the pressure drops when the tank is getting low.

 

[PoloII96]

My son said that the strainer sock may have fallen off.this weekend I will pull the assembly and check. I think I will change the fuel filter also. Thank you.

 

[PoloII96]

If it's Ignition, I must think it's fuel...

Hello, I think my "fuel problem" is solved! :L I found I could start the car always when cold, but then if after running it for a good while, stop then a restart, it would crank-no-fire. After waiting until the coolant temp to drop to approx around 145 degrees F, she would fire right up. I noticed my Ign modulator and heat sink was dirty, so I replaced them with new AC/Delco parts along with a new Ign coil from MSD while I was at it. Since the replacement I have had no problems. Thank you all for great advice and help!

 

[LT4man]

Congrats on solving your problem. Heat will cause all kinds of issues with electronics.

Replacing the grease under the module goes a long way in allowing the engine to start.

 

[DarbyOhara]

Hello, I think my "fuel problem" is solved! :L I found I could start the car always when cold, but then if after running it for a good while, stop then a restart, it would crank-no-fire. After waiting until the coolant temp to drop to approx around 145 degrees F, she would fire right up. I noticed my Ign modulator and heat sink was dirty, so I replaced them with new AC/Delco parts along with a new Ign coil from MSD while I was at it. Since the replacement I have had no problems. Thank you all for great advice and help!

That is strange as I read your initial problem differently (not a heat issue). I have a similar issue with my 87 C4 where the gas guage is showing an improper reading. The previous owner claimed before he sold it to me that he ran out of gas, but the guage was showing 1/4 tank. I keep plenty of fuel in it now, but I only drive on some weekends, but after much research, I think my issue is the gas tanks sending unit.

1985-1987 Corvette Gas Tank Sending Unit (Meter) | Gas Tank & Sending Unit | Corvette Parts and Accessories=&

I have been adding fuel cleaner with each stop at the gas station since I purchased it... I read on one Vette blog that from sitting a long period (as mine did) build-up could cause the sending unit to give bad reading and to try Chevron gas cleaner. But if you think you resolved your problem... great! good luck!