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computer reset?

  • Thread starter Thread starter kurweb
  • Start date Start date
K

kurweb

Guest
hi,

I'm having some trouble about every 3 weeks --

I will turn the ignition, and nothing happens. I have a live battery, and the radio will play, etc. However, I get nothing from the ignition.

I unplug my battery for 5-30 minutes (depending), and it will reset and allow me to start it again. It's starting to happen more frequently.

Any ideas of how to fix? Is it my ignition or my computer?

thanks!!
Kurt
 
Although unlikely, it is possible that the ESC is shunting all spark. When that occurs again, instead of removing battery power, disconnect the EST bypass (four-wire flat connector at the distributor harness). See if you get spark after soing so.

In any event, you should at least be able to crank the starter regardless of the ECM. An '81 will run with no ECM even installed, although there will be no spark advance and no TCC lockup.
 
hmmmm I have a couple questions about the no start you are experiencing...
Does the electrical system seem to be strained at all when you are trying to start?

Do you have an automatic or 4-speed?

There are a number of things to check but what comes to mind if the headlights or other electrical circuits don't seem to be strained when you try to start (in these no-start conditions) then I would venture a guess that it isn't in the starting circuit or something shorting to ground during the starting process.

If you have an automatic, try starting the car in Neutral or taking it out of park then putting it back in park. The 4-Speed has a small switch associated with the clutch pedel, try engage and dis-engaging the clutch a couple of times.

Then last but not least is possiblity that your ignition switch may be going bad. I agree with Vader (not an easy thing to do with a nickname like YODA!!) about the ecm probably not being the cause of you problems.

Good luck chasing these gremlins, Electrical problems are the most challengiing, but provide some of the best experiences too ;)
 
Thanks guys - I'll look into this.

fyi, the vette is an automatic and it has an alarm (an older one) - and I haven't been experiencing other electrical issues outside of this, recently.

:beer
 

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