Help!!!

[Doug L.]

Re: Help!!!

Hi John,
Zen said he checked the voltage at the micro switch and also the solenoid (I can't remember where I connected the solenoid for power and was afraid that when I disconnected the resistor to replace it, I may have forgotten to reconnect the solenoid). He said it was OK and that in testing the solenoid would be overcome and should not prevent fuel from reaching the cylinders. He may give you a call about this. Or maybe you could call him. I shouldn't be in the middle because I don't know exactly what he has done.
Doug

[Tim T.]

Re: Help!!!

So, not as easy as I thought it would be.
I love a good mystery. Waiting for the solution.
Tim

[Doug L.]

Re: Help!!!

Me too. I just wish it was someone else's mystery.

[Ken A.]

Re: Help!!!

Have Zenon unwrap the starter harness & look for melted/shorted wires.

[John D.]

Re: Help!!!

If the car will start and run for 20 minutes then the starting solenoid (on the FI unit) must be OK.
How's the engine fuel pump Doug?

[John D.]

Re: Help!!!

If the car will start and run for 20 minutes then the starting solenoid (on the FI unit) must be OK.
How's the engine fuel pump Doug?

Update on Doug's 64 FI car that would not start. It is now running fine according to Doug. (Whew)
Minor wiring issue. Also comforting to hear when an issue is solved and the car back on the road. Your FI advisor. (formerly done by Brian Futo for an eon)

[John S.]

Re: Help!!!

Great to hear. Update from Doug on exact wiring issue coming? Inquiring minds want to know!

[Tim T.]

Re: Help!!!

Yes, would love to hear what the "minor" wiring issue was.
SWC Tim

[Doug L.]

Re: Help!!!

Hello and thanks to all of you who offered advice. The mystery is over. To recap, I left the ignition switch on over night. The next morning when trying to load the car onto a trailer to go to judging at Lakeland, FL the battery was dead. A re-charge was done but the car wouldn't start. A few tests with a voltmeter indicated that the resistor mounted on the firewall had failed. I located a new resistor and within 1 hour had it installed. Then the engine would start but immediately stall. After trying everything I knew I took the car to Gold Coast Corvette.

They tested everything. They changed the ignition points but that didn't help. The electrical tests showed no problem so they started looking at fuel. The FI unit was partially disassembled but nothing was found. A fuel pressure test show abnormally high pressure from the engine fuel pump. The pump was removed and replaced with a new AC Delco pump but the car wouldn't run. Yesterday Gold Coast called John DeGregory to talk about the solenoid valves. In 2012 after reassembling the engine fuel got past the check valve in the spider causing a bent connecting rod. I sent the FI unit back to John De Gregory who installed a solenoid valve to ensure positive fuel cut-off when the ignition was turned off. That seemed to solve that problem.

Yesterday John had Gold Coast check the voltage for that solenoid circuit and a problem was found. Apparently the electrical connection (to the replaced resistor) for the solenoid valve was not secure and resulted in the solenoid valve being closed and the consequent lack of fuel flow. Obviously this was something I created since I had to disconnect the solenoid conductor from the resistor when I replaced it. Once corrected the car started and ran fine.

My understanding is that electrical power to the solenoid opens the valve allowing fuel to flow, and when the ignition is turned off, or in this case when the electrical connection was faulty, the solenoid closes. What I still don't know is how / why the connection was bad. I have to think I connected the solenoid conductor to the resistor. Poorly crimped connector?
Thanks JD for your help.
Doug

[John D.]

Re: Help!!!

Doug, You are quite welcome. So happy your car is running.
"Poor crimped connector". Luckily it didn't happen on my end as its up to the installer to cut the wire to the desired length. And the next step is most important. I always say don't just crimp. Crimp and then follow up with solder. Crimping by itself with auto store type crimpers isn't good enough.
Meanwhile happy motoring. Keep the dirt out and try and avoid ethanol. Thanks, john