1988 engine starting issue

[Wayne R.]

The car is stock with a 350 C.I., 245 H.P., TPI engine. Mileage is 30,000. Gasoline used is 93 octane.

Upon a cold start the engine starts immediately. After fully warmed up and then shut down for 15 to 20 minutes, a restart will take a bit of cranking. At times I stop turning the motor over, wait a few seconds then try again for an immediate start.

If I shut down the motor and wait for about 5 minutes, the engine will start up as it does upon a cold start.

I have installed a pressure gage on the fuel rail and pressure holds with out any leak by for 30 minutes.

I have recently installed a new coil, distributor rotor, module and cap. No change in the symptoms.

Is this possibly an inherent condition for this model and one must live with it?

[Bob H.]

Re: 1988 engine starting issue

Wayne:

I had an 88 35th anniversary car. I believe we had intermittant problems with starting the car.

As I recall it had something to do with the anti theft system not reading the key properly that would then activate the anti theft system for a timed period of several minutes.

Hopefully, I'm not sending you on a wild goose chase but this is what I recall as a common problem in 88. I think it was called the VATS which I guess stood for vehicle anti theft system.

Maybe you can find something on that. If not the problem, please forgive my very old brain.

Bob

[Bob H.]

Re: 1988 engine starting issue

Wayne

This problem was bothering me so I did some research. Check out this thread as it explains what the problem is. I think this is what you are experiencing. Hopefully, this helps keep you from spending more unecessary $$$

http://corvette-nation.com/corvette-forums/viewtopic.php?t=29

Bob

[Wayne R.]

Re: 1988 engine starting issue

Bob,
Thanks for your research and ideas on this problem. I will be checking out the VATS system and associated circuits.
Wayne

Wayne

This problem was bothering me so I did some research. Check out this thread as it explains what the problem is. I think this is what you are experiencing. Hopefully, this helps keep you from spending more unecessary $$$

http://corvette-nation.com/corvette-forums/viewtopic.php?t=29

Bob

[Paul H.]

Re: 1988 engine starting issue

If it were a VATS related problem you would experience a no crank situation. Since your car is cranking but not starting I would look elsewhere for the source of your issue. It usually lies with faulty fuel injectors. I see that you have already tested yours so it is perplexing.

[Wayne R.]

Re: 1988 engine starting issue

Paul,
Thanks for your input. I do not think it is an injector problem, but some how feel that it is fuel related. I'll keep researching and hopefully come across a fix.
Wayne

If it were a VATS related problem you would experience a no crank situation. Since your car is cranking but not starting I would look elsewhere for the source of your issue. It usually lies with faulty fuel injectors. I see that you have already tested yours so it is perplexing.