I'm helping a friend with his 1990 C4. It's an automatic car.
At first it would'nt crank at all so we bypassed the VATS with a bypass module. Now it cranks but wont start.
He sprayed starting fluid into the TB and it will start and run as long as you are spraying starting fluid. I have'nt put a fuel pressure guage on it yet but the fuel rail has pressure on it.
Could this still be VATS related? He also replace the ECM.
Any help would be great thanks.

oh, dear... this is the old "let's throw parts and hope to fix it" method of repair.

As you have seen, it really doesn't fix anything.

First off, you have a fuel problem. If it fires on ether, it will fire on fuel, you just don't have any fuel to burn.

Get the fuel pressure gauge. That is a minimum requirement.

VATS will stop spark and fuel, but I don't remember it stopping the starter.

Remember one thing: For every engine to start, it requires air, fuel and spark. Missing one, and the engine will not run.

Does your friend have the Helm Factory Service Manual? I highly advise you get one. www.helminc.com or eBay.

more thoughts... check the fuel delivery... is the fuel pump firing? it should run for 2 seconds, then stop once it reaches pressure.

How old is the fuel filter? A clogged filter will kill an engine.

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Andy, anytime my Vats kicked in, it would not turn over at all. I had to wait 4-5 minutes before it would. SO I think it does kill the starter circuit.


I agree with ANdy, it sounds a lot like your not getting fuel. Turn the key to the on position and have someone stand near the gas cap and see if the hear the pump prime. It could easily be the pump and its pretty easy to replace.

The p/n switch or ground (this switch controls ground not power) could be fricked.
Don't forget to check oil pressure and oil press/switch (I know it won't disable starter but someone may try this same logic aproach when in a no fuel condition) Aloha

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Man, where do you guys get this stuff?

It really wasn't worth blowin' the dust off this thread for that!