Quote:

Forgive me 95vette - are you saying the fuse is not under the knee bolster on a 92 vette? (would you happen to know where it is)

thanx

Dear Matalk

The ECM was replaced 2 months ago with a new Unit and Chip sent here from a Canadian GM Parts Dealer. I assume all went ok and when I picked up the car I was told that it was not giving out any codes (mind you it did not suffer stalls like this then either)

I must admin I have seen bits and peices on how to paperclip a plug so the dash display will display any error codes but I have yet to do this (having 2 c4's I really should get my head around this - not to mention there are no GM dealers on every other corener here in the UK - so hands on I must be)

I will endeavor this in the morning and hope to get the car to a shop whom knows C4's this weekend to look over this matter and a few others as well as soon as they can.

really appreciate your time

dear all

thanks for your help re the temperatures and cig fuse - hoped I could run another one by you. I doubt I have driven the car a dozen times to date - in the last 3 times out I have experienced something unusual within the first 20 minutes of driving - this is:

Car starts OK (everytime) and after a 4-5 minute warm-up I hit the road. Then over the next 5-15 minutes I feel/see the throttle struggle and the rpm's idle very close to stalling ...... and then it stalls.

Luckily I have a good battery because it take 30-60 seconds of trying to re-start (5-10 second cranks) then you hear/feel it catching and give a bit of gas and she fires back up (with blackish looking smoke coming out the back for a second or 2 - then clears up) The exhaust fumes appear clear all the time except when this happens. This stall-out usually happens a couple of times in the first 20 minutes - then (when warmed up)all runs well.

This all started occurring after I had and remedied a radiator hose leak (all seems OK on that front) Any ideas as to what I am dealing with here (and hopefully how to deal with it is greatly appreciated as I am 100+ miles from any garage whom know Corvettes - cheers!)

Thanks again everyone for all your help

Dear Bogus and Toptech

thanx guys - you say right side under the knee bolster - I would never have looked there - is this a 2nd fuse box (versus the outward passenger fuse box?)

Toptech - your great suggestion is plan B

thanx fellas

cheers matey ... feel much better knowing this

thanx

Dear all

I have been trying to work out how to get the cigarette lighter to work in the 92 - I do not yet have a User's Manual for the car and hope one of you may be able to shed some light on this.

I have subsequently pulled all the fuses to check for a damaged one but all looked good

any ideas much appreciates

PS - the car does not yet have a radio fitted (could this account for it)

Dear all

Being from Canada (where we measure temp in Celsius) I am not familiar with what an LT1's oil and radiator fluid temperatures should be in Fahrenheit (highway and city). Any approximate ranges anyone might know would be greatly appreciated

Had a radiator hose crack when in the north of the UK this weekend .After patching the crack in the hose with electrical tape, a first aid bandage and a stick, and filling the fluid reservoir back up - the rad-fluid temp was between 170-180 degrees F (on the highway)but reaches 214F when driving in the city (seems pretty close to the 260 red line)

Is there a warning light on the dash to let you know if there is a big problem?

many thanks all

ps - sorry for this sort of question - I have yet to get an Owners manual which I assume would contain this info.

Thanx so much for your time Jonny

Clairemonmt Corvette here in the UK are going to be getting the car in the next week or so for an engine tune-up and to look over my transmission anger issues. Figure this is going to need more than counselling to sort.

PS - made the wedding and back OK - but ended up with overheating issues as one of the radiator fluid hoses cracked and spewed fluid all over the inside of the clam-shell.

Being from Canada (where we are Celsius) I am not familiar with what the oil and radiator fluid temperatures should be in Fahrenheit.

On the way back (after patching the crack in the hose with tape/bandage and a stick, and filling the fluid reservoir) the rad-fluid temp was between 170-180 degrees F (on the highway)

what should an LT1's average oil and rad-fluid temperatures be?

cheers and thanks everyone for your time

I got back to the UK from Canada on Tuesday and wanted to follow up on something I was feeling in the 92 Vette's transmission - this is a shudder (actually 3 quick shudders when accelerating from 0.) I only drove it for 2 days before heading home for the last 2 months - This shudder would not do it all the time.

Once I was driving in Drive (D in circle) at maybe 30mph and the transmission seemed to disengage as when I accelerated the rpm needle went up but the car did not (felt like slipping clutch) I dropped the car down into D and it seemed to renegade.

I took the car to a gearbox place this week whom flushed/washed out the existing transmission fluid/ oil (looked very black and smelled burnt). I must say that since picking it back up it has not shuddered once - but still feels angry going from Park to Drive (not so with reverse) but the car sure jerks and groans when moved to drive

I assume the 'engine idle' being a bit high (over 1000 when warmed up) has something to do with this jerky feeling.

I am booking her back in with Tom Falconer of Clairemont Corvette for a tune up and a transmission check over next week. I was hoping to drive the car north for a wedding this weekend - sound like a bad plan with a transmission like this?

Any thoughts on what might be causing this and if you think I will get 4 hours worth of driving out of her is much appreciated

Thanks for all your help on my questions to date - you lot make me feel like I know more than I do - thanx

Dear all

Thanks for the speedy response - so the carpets should fit (would you say using an existing vettes carpets that are in good shape is a better option than sourcing a full new set)

I am worried about it looking like a botched job and so am interested in the used carpet (as I would think it would fit like a glove) am I wrong about this? thanks

Also - you guys are saying hte internal plastic trim (rear compartment - overhead and other panels) will not fit a 92?

thanks again

Dear all

Thanks so much for all your recent help on my 92 ECU/Engine rattle issue (glad to say all is good and the car is running)

Now the restoration begins !!

The 92 interior I have is light grey and the previous owner did not take care of it - this being the case I was considering a full carpet replacemnt - I have tracked down a complete carpet set in black )actually used but in good nick) but also all the interior black plastic trim bits.

*** again my existing grey interior plastic peices are a bit rough too

Do you folks figure this would still fit in a 92?
Would you suggest I hold out till I find a 92 set??
Would you suggest the aftermarket carpets ???

as always - many many thanks

Quote:



Tom (my Mechanic) had written in an email to me "Kev, we are continuing reassembly his morning. Yesterday, we refitted the guide plate, and reset all the rocker clearances" Wish I could figure out how to paste a picture - I browse to the file 8KB (very small) but will not show ??



In essence Tom got down to the pistons/rockers - this guide is used to align them - they also replaced a couple of piston rods.too. Wish I could say more - I picked up the car this evening 6PM but Tom had left so I could not get much more information. The car ran GREAT on the 2 hour drive back - just hauls ass when you accelerate - it just wants to go fast - tough urge to fight !!



I would just like to thank and say that Tom Falconer or Claremont Corvette (Malling Road, Snodland, Kent, ME6 5NA, UK)  did an outstanding job - I am 100% satisfied and would highly recommend his professional services to anyone in the UK



  kev

Dear All

As promised I am keeping you all in the loop on this. GREAT NEWS - spoke to Tom yesterday now has the engine running sweet as a nut! (turns over 1st time - every time, he said she sounds and performs like and LT1 should)- here's what was up (ie troubleshooting the engine rattle)

The source of the Rattle

Tom started pulling the engine apart and worked his way down - he found the Guide Plate had come loose (I have tried to attach an image of it in this entry) - on Friday Tom wrote "Kev, we are continuing reassembly his morning. Yesterday, we refitted the guide plate, and reset all the rocker clearances."

I spoke to Tom on Saturday afternoon and he wrote "Kev, running well now and test drove her at midday. Feels good! No functionality on the heating or DIC buttons, presumably because this was affected by the radio removal. But the car is useable and driveable…….have nice week end!"

so my friends ......... PAY-DIRT !!!!!!!! Happy days!

The car currently has no Radio - do you folks think this could this account for "No functionality on the heating or DIC buttons" Can't imagine the systems are interdependent (ie radio/DIC buttons) but what do I know (nada!). Tom is kindly having a look at this tomorrow morning - so if the planets are aligned I may get to drive her this week. What sucks now is that we fly back to Toronto on Wednesday - so at best we will only get a day or 2 - the anticipation is killing me. With only 28000 on the clock we're taking her "the-long-road" across Europe this summer !!!

Guys I really want to thank all of you for your time and input through this 32 day roller-coaster of mine - your kindness and professionalism makes be grateful to be a member.

warmest possible regards

kev

It does appear I did order the right parts for the job (I realise with it only running 30 secs this is hard to tell). Hearing that it started first time is a great sign (obviously the ECU fitting and plug rewqiring went well based on this alone).

Quick question - do any of you folks reckon the cold start sensor replacement could account for this sort of engine Ratte? Could the engine running that rich for an extended period (diluting the oils viscosity) in turn generate the sort of engine rattle noise we are hearing? I sure hope so (I think). I will be curious to know the assessment of the oil that comes out (hopefully no little metal bits come along for the ride!). I would have to think that if there is (or has been) any significant engine damage done that it would have to have occurred during the existing oils life cycle (possibly near when the old ECU burned out) - hopefully there will be some evidence of this (one way or the other) - forgive my ignorance - you guys clearly know this and a great deal more than I on these matters (probably a dozen ways an engine can be pouched with not evidence in the oil)

I am waiting to hear if Tom thinks the previous owner could have lived with this amount of rattle? (if "for the benefit of the doubt" he did not know the proper sound of an LT1 better?) or is this rattle so significant that anyone would hear it and know something is very wrong (clearly Tom's tuned ear hears this rattle but could the last owner have in all honesty been able to ignored it when driving?). Main reason for my concern is three fold - 1st my loss of faith in the seller and his word on anything but secondly the last time I heard a rattle in a car of mine it was the lower bearing in an 84 firebird - engine was very damaged (sounded like a washing machine with 50p pieces (or quarters) churning around in it) and third is initial my investment. Needless to say my heart is going to be in my gut until I hear the news (one way or the other) tomorrow.

Great news to hear Tom has a good reputation and thanks so very much Ray for your kind offer of assistance - been one hell of a ride finding UK Corvette specialists - having spoken to Tom he impressed me - I am beginning to suspect this will not be a best case scenario for me no matter how this goes down - I'm sure Tom will be able to put me in the picture and I sure appreciate all of you folks chiming in - as always your time and thoughts are greatly appreaciated - mine are just plain scaring me now !!.

take care
kev

NOT SO GOOD NEWS (maybe)

The mechanic whom is working on the car GOT IT GOING ... but he also wrote

"Well, it is now running. Wiring all repaired, new plug wired into loom etc. Started straight away.

But engine very rattly. Codes up, indicating new cold start sensor needed. Fitted that , old one broken. So, it may have been running very rich for a long time, diluting oil. Now about to change the oil ,before any damage done.

Noted ‘Quad-driver’ fault in ECM, but this is not affecting running or raising a code. Just for info, why not call me when you have read this.


regards
Tom Falconer, Claremont Corvette"

After calling him seems there is a possiblilty engine is buggered (he said it is firing on all 8 cylinders) and previous ownser said it ran fine till it stopped (however previous owner has been a tad less than honest to date)

any thoughts on what the rattling could be (good or bad I'm ready for it) thanks all

PS I am flying back to Canada next Wednesday for 2 months - I bet I don't even drive her before I go back (uggg!)

many thanx

kev

Dear 95 Vette - your so right - even after being together 22 years I know this would have been the last thing I ever asked her!

Car goes under the knife tomorrow - will keep you all in the loop

kev

Dear All

Car has been towed and the parts have been ordered (may be ready best case a week tomorrow) so all I can do is SFA till then (really can't wait!!!) - plan to drive Europe with my girl when she's running (the car that is - my girl already can!)plus my girlfriend is my PLAN Z if this car should break down (imagine that) .... push darlin ... push !! - will keep you in the loop

kev

Wow - what a day

Found out the following:

CAR IS A 1992 (not a 95) - door sticker shows a manufatured date of Nov 91 - It has an LT1 engine in it (Spoke to GM in Canada today whom confirmed based on the VIN that it is a 92) and was sold as a 92

I believe I am screwed in terms of going after the seller for selling a car under false pretense (ie 92 not a 95) - Even the MOT documents (governments Ministry of Transportation) says the car is a 95 so not entirely all the sellers fault.

I figure I'm riding this wave to the end (hopefully the beach!) I am having the car towed to a UK Vette shop tomorrow morning (gonna cost 650 USD to tow it 80 friggin miles!) ouch! I should open a towing business

These guys should be able to exercise this cars ghosts once and for all - will keep you in the loop of this ever changing saga. No guts no glory ... right ?

kev

Hi all

Just a quick question - talking to a guy at a scappers about a replcement ECM and when I qouted him the exisitng service number - 16198260 - he told me this was for a 1990-1991 corvette - so I contactexd GM back in Canada and asked them - they said this part number was used accross a number of cars - the new number for this part is 88999195

they have been good in asking for the VIN and they will check what should be there - anyone know much about service numbers and how they pertain to 95 vettes

as always - many thanks

kev

I am sourcing the ECM from a boneyard back in North America - I noticed in the manual sections that Woodstock was kind enough to scan and send to me that it says

When diagnostics call for a replaement PCM it must first be programmed

Is this something I will need to contend with ? I have made sure the replacement using has a matching service number (beginning with 16xxxxx) - is replaceing the ECM more than swapping out parts?

thanks again all

kev

Quote:

The battery (and poles are correct) yes it is difficult to source a North American style batteries from here in the UK - I lucked out as one of the few suppliers was here in my home town. GM (Vauxhall here) makes a car here called "Vauxhall Sintra" and the batteries for them are North American style. Still not easy to get though.

The car was certified and running here in the UK in Jan of this year - previous owner said he was driving it and it stalled - would not restart (assume blowing ECM Fuse and damaged ECM had something to do with this) guess I can only hope that any electrical damage was not systemic or I might be the proud owners of a very lovely paper-weight.

** Fortunately no other fuses show as blown in the fuse box so it might be safe to say that the other electrical systems have not received a surge strong enough to damage the fuses - and hopefully not the componenets they protect

Thanks for your thoughts and time Woodstock

kev

Dear Mr_Mojo, DropTopCE, Woodstock and 95Vette (and everyone else)

Thanks for all your help - you guys are really helping to make a difference for me. My Aston Martin guys is now pretty sure he know what is 'nackered' on the Car - seems it is the ECM itslelf - it is so cooked that it has litereally melted the red plug/wires that go into it. I am in the midst of sourcing both a replacement ECM and hopefully a foot of each cable (includings their plugs)that go into it - my pal plans to do a good and propper job of replacing the damaged wires/plugs and then fit the new ECM.

He is also stipping out the aftermarket wiring that was in the car when I got it (this botched job could be resposible for burning out the ECM.harness)

I hope to have the parts FEDEX'd here for this Friday (if I can place the order today) - I promise to keep you all in the loop on this.

As always any thoughts on this situation are so very much appreciated - anyone else ever come accross a cooked ECM like this before (can anyone think of any knock-on damage this issue may have already caused) - does a simple wireing and ECM replaement sound like a good first step?

thanks all !!
kev

Dear all

I have ordered the service manuals for the 95 Vette (as well as the Haines one too) They are getting delivered to our Toronto address and will be shipped to the UK from there (sellers would not send direct).

In the interim in an effort to further troubleshoot the ECM fuse issue is there anyone out there whom might havr access to the ECM Plugs terminal wiring diagram [which is earth/ground and which should never be grounded] - many thanks

I am in the process or ordering a replacement ECM from the States (a boneyard in CA has one) - I am verifying my existing service part number. Also need a what I believe is the water temp sender (located in the center of the V in the front of the engine) seems to have been sheered off.

I'm usre this is the beginning of my shopping spree - any other parts you foks might suggest I get 2 of (may as well do it in one shipping pass)

thanks
kev

Dear All

I have an update on the car. I had it towed to my 'Aston Martin' pal's house (his garage is a mini car shop). After a good first initial look he has come back to me (and by way of this update to you guys too) with some observations and enquiries (thanks)

He is going to stip out all the 'after market' wiring (a previous owner had run a wiring harness overtop of the basic system to ... (frankly I do not no exactly why - it runs to the various indicator and side lights on the car - also they had to change the tail lights from red to amber (UK regulation)). But the long and the short (no pun intended) is that it is going to get removed. Pal figures it was a real bodge up and we will be much better off without it.

He found the following and was hoping someone may else may have come accross something like this before.

PROBLEM #1

The fuse for the ECM constantly blows (right away) he had 1 spare 3 amp fuse and as soon as he put it in the fuse blew right away - believes the line is shorted somehwere - he is grabbing fuses tomorrow and will be looking at it again tomorrow night. Any insights/ideas what could cause this line to short like this?

Please Note - the car does not have a Radio in it - the wires are folded into the radios space in the dash (don't think it is related but thought I shoud mention too).

Sure appreciate you all tking the time to read/respond.

Have a great week

Kev

Yes ... and he won't let me forget it!

Dear 95Vette

You wrote "Changing an Opti is a PITA, especially the damper pulley, but we can get back to that if/when you find it is necessary."

Please forgive my ignorance - but what does PITA mean (sounds like some kinda anti meat - tree huggin organisation to me - forgive me even more if you are an anti meat - tree hugger) but PITA in the context of a Corvette repair - sounds like a double scoop of "NOT GOOD"

I keep saying thanks so much to you all - I'm sure you guys are not believing it anymore - please be assured I am very grateful for both your time and consideration to my plight - I have not felt 100% good about my decision until hearing from you good folks (thanx - please know what comes around - goes around (will not be from me) but all deeds come back around to you - rest assured that good things happen to good people)

Showed my Austin Martin pal, (gave me #@£" over spelling Austin Martin wrong - like I'm ever gonna drive one) this paper trail so far this evening - he appreciated all your comments!!

In all honesty (to set this record straight) ... I wrote "My pal noticed already that one of the belts is on backwards (which may go some way towards timing)."

To which my friend (95Vette) wrote "There is no timing belt on your car so whatever your mechanic noticed is not related to the failure to start issue. "

The assumption to timing was mine - not his (as he pointed out to me this evening at the pub).

The Up-Shot

He now is having me tow the car to his house (Rear Private Garage) on Saturday morning where he wishes me to leave it with him (I believe Dr. Frankenstein has felt a challenge) this helps me 1000% as he is a local resource/friend whom knows the car (and he is obviously for helping out a good guy too!) - Funnily enough he is long distance dating a gal from Dallas (met her a few time - Patty - really nice girl)

Finally 95Vette (and everyone else) thanks for your kind offer of "but we can get back to that if/when you find it is necessary"

Lastly you wrote "So far they have been keeping him very busy, but he seems to be doing fine 'over there'. Guess when the weather gets nicer he will be busy touring."

Yeh - the world is a mad place these days - evil prospers when good men do nothing - by the sounds he is doing something (which is something we should all be thankful for!")

Warm regards and goodnight

kev

Dear All

Thanks so much for your tremendous levels of support - can't tell you how much I appreciate it!

95Vette had asked me "Scan it for codes. If you get 16 or 36 I would bet the previous owner washed the engine and ruined the optispark."

Will do - Thanks to the above links to the Owners Manual (which I have now downloaded) I am going to work out how to get the codes to display (do I need the car to be running to get this feed-back? as it does not yet run). Is a ruined Optispark a big repair?

(note to self) To a large extent this really was a bit of an impulsive blind purchase .... convincing my girlffirend that we (I) really do need 2 corvettes (one in Toronto and one here) took a small act of god to accomplish (whom I am still thanking every time I ssslide behind the wheel). However now I find myself thinking 'was I too eager' ... at the time I figure 'hell I'll get it going' .... always better to regret something you have done than something you haven't ... I guess!!

95Vette - it is a left hand drive (did not know you could convert them to right hand side (being from Toronto driving from the left is not a problem for me).

Is your son at RAF Lakenheath (a USAFE base)? I am in Milton Keynes - he is about 70 miles (hour and 20 mins drive East). Does he like the UK?

Thanks again all for your help and interest - will keep you all in the loop

kev

Dear toptechx6 and Mekanic

Thanks so much for your time - I will try to source the service Manual as well (Car did not come with a Users Manual but I sourced one for my 89 in Toronto from Helminc thanks to the advise from folks at c4guru) - I know I will not be able to source the paper version of the service manual in time for this Saturday as I am in the UK - I will try to find some on-line resources along the lines you have suggested. Thanks again so much for your time - I will let you know the outcome - I'm in it for a penny (in it for a pound) now - just gonna come down to time and cash/beer.

warm regards

kev

Dear TopTechX6

Thanks so very much for taking the time to reply - I feel much better after hearing what you had to say: In summary:

1. If the starter turns the engine over you can rule out VATS (YES IT DOES)

2. check for fuel pressure at the rail on the intake manifold, should be close to 40psi. (THANKS - MY AUSTIN MARTIN PAL IS DOING THIS SATURDAY)

3. make sure there is spark at the plugs (THANKS - MY AUSTIN MARTIN PAL IS DOING THIS SATURDAY)

4. the only remaining variables are compression and timing

Thanks so very much for the above insights. My pal noticed already that one of the belts is on backwards (which may go some way towards timing). He will be pleased to know he is not also conteding with VATS system. Forgive me but are you aware of any on-line resources that might shed some light on verifying both compression and timing on the LT1? Thanks again - I do appreciate your time!

warm regards

kev

Dear all - I have asked a couple of pals by way of a message the following prpoblem I am having - just thought I would throw it out to the group as well is hopes it may be something one of you good people may have already beaten (thanx)

I picked up my 89 Vette back in January - wow - what a treat - love it !!

We headed back to the UK - where I am now. I missed her so much that I just bought another C4 out here in the UK. (if driving a Vette is bad I don't wanna be good). I really think I got a great deal on it too (well maybe - its not running yet!).

Would you mind if I run my new UK situation by you for any wisdom you might spare (thanks)

The car is a 1995 with 28,000 miles on the LT1 motor. Not the best shape inside (it was just imported here from Japan and it is so hot out there that a few bits on the interior have warped and need to be replaced - glue in some areas of carpet needs to be re-done - seats cracked but not split - no radio (again all cosmetic) - but the kicker is that it will not start.

The UK guy I bough it of had it road certified Jan of this year and he drove it for 300 miles or so - so it has run just fine but it stalled on him and he has never been able to get it to go since (his local mechanic figured maybe the ECM). The engine cranks over but it seems as though there is no gas - just cranks (there is gas by the way).

I have hunted down a couple of corvette specialists here in the UK and am looking at a $500 tow just to get it there (gonna have to bite this bullet I imagine).

I have a pal down at my local pub who is the top mechanic for Austin Martins DB9 and knows his stuff - he is offering to help me out and will be looking it over this weekend in more detail (he had a quick look yesterday and says there is some Mickey mouse wiring that should be stripped out first to rule out any electrical causes - figures he can get it back to its original factory wiring state/condition and then wants to get some testing done from there) - for this I am in his debt (gonnas be buying him pints for a year at least - and he can drink beer!).

He asked me about the immobiliser system in the corvette (which of corse it has but I know very little about) He wanted to know if there was any was to temporarily disable it for the sake of trouble shooting the ignition issue the cars seems to be suffering from. The car only has the one set of keys (need to get another set cut) so we can't rule out if the key is damaged.

Any ideas on how to work with the immobiliser? any thoughts on what would make her just stop running (I know this is such a stupidly huge and open question) but as always your thoughts and insights are greatly appreciated.

Kev

PS - I thought I saw on ebay some time ago something you could screw into the car and it turned off the immobilizer (so you could start the car with any cut key without the chip in it) heard of this?