Sputtering 1995 Corvette

[Lahodny]

HELP! Twice now my 1995 Corvette Coupe (w/automatic) has sputtered and stalled when I started it. The first time, I made a very quick stop into an AM/PM and it wouldn't run after I started it. It was a hot day and I had been running the A/C a lot. I kept trying to get it to run, but it would only sputter and then die. If I gave it gas it would backfire. I had it towed, and when we got to the repair shop, it started and ran like a top (of course). No more incidents for three days.

The second time was also after a quick stop at the dry cleaners. It wouldn't run when I started it - just sputter. Rather than towing it, I waited about 20 minutes and tried again. At first it sputtered, but then all of a sudden it accelerated like the choke was engaged, and ran perfect.

Any ideas oh Great and Wise Corvette Gurus?

Thanks.

--Larry in Las Vegas

 

[vader86]

Sounds like a dead Opti to me

 

[stingray4me]

My guess besides the opti may be the fuel filter or O2 sensor. Or maybe you got some bad gas that has some water in it.

 

[Gorgon]

Any codes?

 

[Lahodny]

I was planning to take the car to the Chevy dealership this morning, but now the car will not start at all. Fuel pump? Fuel filter? O2 sensor? Optispark? Will find out soon enough, I guess. Not sure about any codes. The check engine light does not come on. Thanks for the help.

--Larry in Las Vegas

 

[compyelc4]

Opti.

Pull the (Opti-to-ECM) wiring harness plug from the rear of the Opti and tell us what you see on both the plug end and the pins down inside the opti receptacle. Are you getting codes?

 

[compyelc4]

Forgot! Peek at the weep hole on the bottom of the water pump and tell us what you see. Discoloration? Moisture? Crud?

 

[myl82]

on my 92 i found it to be the spark control unit bolted on the front of the right cyl. head. ran about $100, but what a difference! Dave (Corvette Connection) found it by using a code reader .

 

[Lahodny]

Sputtering 1995 Corvette (Update)

After 3 days at Henderson Chevrolet, they could not duplicate the sputtering/no start condition. Naturally, after only 6 miles and one stop at the store, I was stranded again (first sputtered and backfired and then would not start).

The dealership said that there were absolute no codes from the computer (not even historical). Fuel pump ran at full pressure. No electrical problems could be identified.

It always seems to happen after running it for a bit with the a/c on, and then a stop at a store or such for 5-10 minutes. After it sits for a while (or after being towed - twice) it starts and runs no problem.

Modifications/recent changes include a new battery and starter, 160 degree thermostat, Hypertech Power Programmer, K&N filter, open air box, new u-joints, and 2 1/2 gallons of 100 octane fuel from the Rebel station added to a full tank of gas.

HELP (AGAIN/STILL)!!!

--Larry in Las Vegas

 

[wookiebear]

Damaged Fuel Pump

Hi,
I have a 96 vert, I have never had this type of problem with it, however I had a Ford Bronco that had the exact same problem and it was the fuel pump that was in the gas tank, after driving the car for 1/2 hr. or so when the electric fuel pump warmed up it would sputter and then stall out, after sitting about 1/2 hr. it would start and run just fine until the electric fuel pump overheated again and starved the engine for fuel again. You might want to check this or just put in a new electric fuel pump. Let us know how you make out.

Wookiebear

 

[bradfordsvettes]

see my post at dead vette don't know how it got there i must have goofed sorry steve

 

[Lahodny]

Wookiebear was right!

It turns out that Wookiebear was right about the fuel pump. It would run for a while (until it heated up) then quit. Midas figured it out, where Henderson Chevrolet could not. They are also going to install my muffler eliminators, change the differential fluid to synthetic, and do some work on the wheel bearings.

Thanks to all who suggested a possible reason for my dying/dead vette!

-Larry in Las Vegas ;worship

 

[Lahodny]

Sputtering Corvette - No more!

No more dead Corvette! Turns out it was the fuel pump. It just didn't have the decency to die all at once. Oh, well. Three tows later and I am up and running again.

--Larry in Las Vegas

:Twist