OK I had put up a thread about a week ago thinking that my rockers were too tight & so on and so forth well we adjusted them like Shoebox has on his web-site and they all seem to be done very good. So now I'm wondering what my problem could be now? When the car sits for quite a while it might start and might not. When it does start it runs excellent, but then when I shut it off it usually will not start back up... I just did a cam & rockers swap on my 97 LT1 and I'm not really sure were to start looking for this problem. Ever since we put the car back together & it starts up it doesn't appear that the voltage is were it was before all of this swapping business, I know that sounds like it doesn't make much sense but I really need some input & this is an awesome place to get usefull information...

Please help....

Or I'm going to drive my car off of a cliff...

 

Well I doubt you damaged to the alternator, but let's assume it's questionable. With the engine running, check the DC voltage across the battery and make sure it's well over 13 volts. Then set the meter to AC and check the same reading. If the meter reads over .03 VAC, you alternator is bad and needs to be replaced. If the diodes are defective then they are putting out unacceptable AC levels and this will have a bad effect on the PCM.

When you say it sits and might not start, do you mean it won't crank or do you mean it cranks but won't fire up? Cranking but not firing can be several things at least in the fuel system alone. For example if an injector is leaking, it could be flooding the intake after the engine is shut off. If the check ball in the fuel pump is sticking, the fuel could be draining back toward the tank. If you engine cranks but does not fire, try this the next time the problem occurs. Turn KOEO for 2 seconds. Then key off. Then KOEO for 2 seconds. Then off. Do this 4 or 5 times and then crank the engine over. If it starts up quickly at that point, your loosing prime to the fuel rails as mentioned above.

 

Then engine starts to turn over, but it stops, like the compression is keeping the engine from spinning over. The starter has a huge draw on it. If you let the car sit and cool off, then it will start, but it is kind of hesitant to crank.

 

More than likely your starter is fried, however you should eliminate all other possibilities first before you run out to buy a new starter. First, check all the wires from the battery to the starter, to the positive junction on the passenger inner fender to the grounds at the frame and engine for clean un broken connections.

Second, have your battery load tested the right way.

Third, check to be sure your valves are moving and the lash is set correctly.

The last thing to do if the above checks out is get you a new starter.

 

You are 100% correct the starter was fried, but I have never seen a starter do that before. It would start when the car was cold, but if I drive it a bit and shut it off it wouldn't start. I replaced the starter this morning & the car starts & runs excellent. Thank you very much for your help...

 

You are very much welcome but no need to thank me. All of us are here to help in anyway way we can.