HELP !!! 94 LT1 Starting Problems

[jjw94]

OK, Here it goes. I go out to start the car, starts fine, and I drive it for about 10-15 minutes, then shut it off. Wait about 10-15 minutes and car will not start. If I wait for about an hour to an hour and a half, it will start. Also occassionally as I shift through the gears, some hestitation occurs, mostly in first and second gears. Had it to the GM Dealer, they replaced the coil. (Found a broken wire) That did nothing to fix the problem. They checked fuel pressure, it is fine. They suggested the problem could be the distributor. To install a new distributor was going to be about $1600, and they would not gaurantee the problem would be fixed.

Can anyone offer me some suggestions on this problem ? Could it be something else ? Desperate for some help and advice from my fellow vetters.

thanks,

jjw

 

[Robertwav1]

I would start with the DTC's, are there any?

 

[Vettelt193]

the opti spark (distributor) is problematic in these cars. however, it shouldn't cost $1600 to replace, and the symptoms are a bit unusual for it to be the opti.

Does your car run fine once it is started besides the hesitation? when your car doesn't start, does it crank? if it cranks, do you smell gas?

 

[Muttley95]

I know this is going to sound dumb, but it was my problem.

When I first purchased my car 2 years ago, the guy I bought it from said it was going to need a new battery soon. I was having the same problems you just described for the longest time. I was reluctant to put a new battery in it so I dealt with it. One day (about a year and a half later) I was under the hood cleaning and noticed the the battery cables were loose. I tightened them up and haven't had a problem since. :duh

Try checking the cables is all I can offer.

 

[BTDOG]

I would take it somewhere else and let them do a diagnostic on it. I think $1,600. 00 is a rip off for the opti spark. You can do a lot better than that. Just my two cents.

Regards,

Mike:ugh

 

[jjw94]

Hi Mike:

Thanks for the response. Not sure what DTC's are. Can you explain. Thanks.

jjw

 

[jjw94]

Muttley95:

Thanks for the response. Yes car runs fine, when running. It does crank, and no smell of gas. The fuel line pressure was checked and is fine. This is a tough one. Need all the help I can get.

thanks again,
jjw

 

[jjw94]

vetteit193:

Yes car runs fine, when running. It does crank with no smell of gas. The fuel line pressure was checked and is good. This is a tough one, need all the help I can get.

thanks,

jjw

 

[BTDOG]

Hi Mike:

Thanks for the response. Not sure what DTC's are. Can you explain. Thanks.

jjw

Do a search at the top of the page here on "DTC" You will find several threads related to this issue.

Good luck.

 

[jjw94]

Muttley95:

Hi and thanks for the response. I did put a new battery in this year, when all these problems started. However, it did not fix the problem.

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

jjw

 

[jjw94]

BTDOG:

Thanks for the reply. I know $1600 is insane to replace the distributor. That is Canadian dollars by the way. Probably more like $500 US.

Thanks again.

jjw

 

[Vettelt193]

vetteit193:

Yes car runs fine, when running. It does crank with no smell of gas. The fuel line pressure was checked and is good. This is a tough one, need all the help I can get.

thanks,

jjw

If your opti was going, then I would suspect gas smell (fuel enters the chamber with no or weak spark = raw gas exiting the tail pipe).

With your fuel pressure checked ok, then you either have no fuel from the injectors or the car doesn't want to start (computer issue?) Usually, if the car trying to 'stop' you from starting, it won't crank at all....

this sure has the sound of vapor lock, but that would be a real long shot with the way the fuel systems are set up in these cars...

 

[Vettelt193]

My other thought is, what does fuel pressure checked out mean?

Does your fuel pressure remain high even after shut-down? symptoms like this could be because your fuel leaks out of the system after shut-down, allowing air into the system, then causing a form of vapor lock.

However, I still heavily lean towards the computer, or an associated sensor.


Also, I assume you have tried to start it with your foot on the gas pedal? that will rule out a vac. leak...

 

[oldyeller1969]

I had almost the same symptoms on my '95 LT1. No codes were ever generated. Replaced the opti, maf, plugs, wires - Still had problem. Then pulled the injectors ( found 3 that were leaking) and replaced all injectors - problem resolved! My 2 cents worth - pull the injectors and have them checked or tested.

 

[Vettelt193]

I had almost the same symptoms on my '95 LT1. No codes were ever generated. Replaced the opti, maf, plugs, wires - Still had problem. Then pulled the injectors ( found 3 that were leaking) and replaced all injectors - problem resolved! My 2 cents worth - pull the injectors and have them checked or tested.

I think we are on the same page... one question though since you have me curious: did your car not start at all when it was hot, or just have a hard start problem? leaking injectors usually leads to a hard start, but seems odd for it to have a no start.

 

[jjw94]

oldyeller1969:

When I did go to start, the motor would crank, and the engne would cough and spew. This was after it ran for a while and is hot. Sometimes it would just crank and not turn over. Car only has 35, 000 miles. I could see it being the injectors. How much am I looking at to have that checked out and repaired if necessary.

Thanks for your help,
jjw

 

[jjw94]

Hi VetteIt93,

Yes I did put the gas pedal to the floor on restart, but no luck. Never had any trouble codes come up or Service Engine Light. Fuel Pressure was checked while car was running. I o not believe it was checked after the restart.

thanks,

jjw94

 

[Dakota kid]

What kind of gas are you putting in it?

 

[jjw94]

coolhandluke:

Thanks for the reply. Usually run Sunoco Gold.

jjw

 

[Dakota kid]

coolhandluke:

Thanks for the reply. Usually run Sunoco Gold.

jjw

I ment to ask
What octane blend do you put in it? And are there any additives in it?