Hi Guys,

Thought I'd post this in the 3rd Gen section since this car has a TPI motor.
Here's the deal:
'86 Corvette coupe 4+3 manual trans. Has spark and fuel rail pressure. Fuel pump runs when you turn the key. Verified that timing chain has not jumped. Installed new plugs. Cleaned cap & rotor

Car came to us with no keys. Locksmith spent 3 hours finding the correct key with the right chip. The car cranks but won't even cough or sputter. Would an incorrect key chip cause the 'no-start' condition, but allow the starter to crank? Anything else i should try?

Thanks everybody!!!!

 

Sounds like it's the VATS (vehical anti-theft system). It's probably not recognizing the key. Take the VIN to the dealer for verification or get a new lock.

 

Going to the dealer today. I'll try having them cut a key for me.

The thing that is driving me crazy is that it has fuel and spark. With that being said, how does the VATS operate?

 

Couple of experience with my previous daily driver, an 89 Formula 350:

I test drove it and it ran great. Called guy back day later and he told me it quit running. It just wouldn't start. It was such a nice car that I told him I'd take it anyway, if he took $4,000 for it (he was asking $4,700). He said ok, I had it towed.

It had spark, correctly timed, but it was kind of yellowish. Took module to get tested and it was weak. Bought another for 30 bucks, car fired right up.

4 years later, car up and quit on me. Would not start. I smelled gas. Lot of it. Plugs showed wet on both banks. Looking at wiring diagram, only thing that could flood both banks was the ECM itself. Got a rebuilt unit for 89 bucks, problem fixed.

 

the way i understand the vats system is its simply a resistor when paired with another resistor in the circuit it allows the correct amount of voltage to travel, unlocking the starting system

i could be completely wrong about this, but thats what i understand

so i don't know if the "chip" in the key is the problem cuz it seems like the wrong chip would have no effect

i dont know, just my 2 cents

 

Thanks Guys. I have a few things to check when I go to the garage tonight.

Wish me luck!!!

Speedy

 

It has fuel?

Are you checking at the fuel line for pressure or are you verifying that the injectors are firing...

 

Marc,

It has rail pressure, and when you unplug an injector and plug in an 'injector test light', the light flashes when you crank the starter. It gets enough fuel to foul the plugs. I'm stumped on this one!!!

 

by Speedy V10
It has Spark and fuel fouled plugs?
Well, is the firing order correct, wires correct at Cap? One off and it won't start..
Compression check? Very Low compression will cause a "No Start".
180* out will also..

I'd bring N0#1 up to TDC or "0" on the timing tab,
with valve cover off, verify both valves are shut on No.#1 cylinder(ofcourse)you can remove the plug and feel for the piston at top with a small screwdriver and the rotor is pointing at N0.#1 terminal also(drivers front side post).
Then carefully rewire the distributor.(No#1= drivers front spark plug)
K.I.S.S. remember..(Keep It Simple..)

Almost forgot, on my cousins '87 Iroc, he had the distributor cap installed ever so slightly crooked, and it had a terrible miss which eventually stalled and it took us a while to find. It had worn the graphite button off of the distributor cap.

 

Hey Guys_

Thanks for your help. Got it running the other day. The gas tank was full of water and who knows what else!!! Pumped out the tank, filled it with gas, and it fired right up. Still runs like crap though. I'm guessing that it has a few plugged injectors. That's next week's project!

I appreciate everybodies help!