How to: Fix a car that won't start - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

Blackbirdws6 · 10-23-2010, 06:49 PM

Properly diagnosing a car that will crank but not start can be tricky. Most would assume that a LT1 must have an issue related to the opti, coil, or ICM. From those who stayed after the Nats today, remember to first try and tap the fuse box in the engine bay. Works like a charm and some may consider this a "free mod".

Thanks to many of the JSFBOA, Justin, Paul and Sam/Janet for sticking around after the Nats to help get the Bird started. Pretty entertaining.

Featherburner · 10-23-2010, 07:10 PM

The old tap on the fuse box trick. Works every time 50% of the time. Just like knocking on wood.

LTb1ow · 10-23-2010, 09:14 PM

You need.

Tru2Chevy · 10-23-2010, 09:15 PM

Just happy to see it running Brian.

Although it would have been fun to see you start your build thread with "so after the nats the car wouldn't start - had to fix it" and then just post a pic of an empty engine bay.

- Justin

::edit:: - LOL @ Black & Decker

BonzoHansen · 10-23-2010, 09:27 PM

Glad to hear it. Such a great car.

I think that great black 1st gen firebird had some issues going home. when we stopped to see if they needed help, they all said no but we thought we heard 'spun bearing' . I hope not, she seemed to have so much fun racing today (sorry, I don't have her name in front of me right now).

Tru2Chevy · 10-23-2010, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

I think that great black 1st gen firebird had some issues going home. when we stopped to see if they needed help, they all said no but we thought we heard 'spun bearing' . I hope not, she seemed to have so much fun racing today (sorry, I don't have her name in front of me right now).

Ouch, hopefully it was just something minor. FWIW, I believe her name is Donna.

- Justin

Blackbirdws6 · 10-24-2010, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LTs1ow

You need.

Lol. I can assure you with the new build, the wiring you saw in that corner will be non-existent with the new build. That's the problem when you are trying to get a tach signal for 3 different items lol. Dammn gauges

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tru2Chevy

Just happy to see it running Brian.

Although it would have been fun to see you start your build thread with "so after the nats the car wouldn't start - had to fix it" and then just post a pic of an empty engine bay.

- Justin

::edit:: - LOL @ Black & Decker

Oh I wouldn't count something like that out just yet...

Quote:

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

Glad to hear it. Such a great car.

I think that great black 1st gen firebird had some issues going home. when we stopped to see if they needed help, they all said no but we thought we heard 'spun bearing' . I hope not, she seemed to have so much fun racing today (sorry, I don't have her name in front of me right now).

Thanks and I'm just happy the opti wasn't the problem considering it may have been the first to crap out backing up into a parking spot.

sweetbmxrider · 10-24-2010, 10:02 PM

don't forget the "Fire in the hole!"

its a call of jsfboa

KirkEvil · 10-24-2010, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

don't forget the "Fire in the hole!"

its a call of jsfboa

followed by a pal dance to seal the success...Haha

V · 10-24-2010, 10:13 PM

im glad it all worked out and it started, and before the tow truck showed up.

BigAls87Z28 · 10-24-2010, 11:19 PM

LT1 car doesnt start ---> Is it the Opti?
No---->Are you sure?
Yes------>Are you really sure?
Yes------> Hit relay box, and yell "fire in the hole!" Did it work?
Yes-----> Pal Dance
No------>Its the Opti

sweetbmxrider · 10-25-2010, 07:14 AM

hahahaha

Blackbirdws6 · 10-25-2010, 04:27 PM

Mark my words, this opti will leave the car in working condition.

sweetbmxrider · 10-25-2010, 04:43 PM

hahaha hey thanks for the beer again, but i still owe you one!

Blackbirdws6 · 10-25-2010, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

hahaha hey thanks for the beer again, but i still owe you one!

No worries. That's what I get for winning two trophies.

I will overlook the beer for assistance with the bird in the future. Something other than wiring of course

sweetbmxrider · 10-25-2010, 08:48 PM

zing! haha i'm pretty good at teh engine removal and misc lt1 nonsense

Blackbirdws6 · 10-26-2010, 07:19 AM

Beer and food will be served Nov. 7th if you are interested. All Pals are welcome.

sweetbmxrider · 10-26-2010, 07:24 AM

you've got my attention

should be able to give a hand

BigAls87Z28 · 10-26-2010, 07:48 AM

Nov 7th sounds good.

KirkEvil · 10-26-2010, 01:41 PM

Im in for more lt1 extravaganza!!!

Blackbirdws6 · 10-26-2010, 04:39 PM

Wow awesome! Talk about some nice Pals.

Goals are the following:

- Drop the K member with engine of course
- Get the old engine harness out
- Remove nitrous system
- Strip the engine of basic parts (shortblock will stay intact)
- Remove as much of the interior as possible

Should be plenty of room to help and plenty of drinks/food/music to keep us motivated in a well-lit oversized two car garage.

Once stuff is apart, I can likely handle much of the work to rebuild until its time to put the big items back in.

KirkEvil · 10-26-2010, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackbirdws6

Wow awesome! Talk about some nice Pals.

Goals are the following:

- Drop the K member with engine of course
- Get the old engine harness out
- Remove nitrous system
- Strip the engine of basic parts (shortblock will stay intact)
- Remove as much of the interior as possible

Should be plenty of room to help and plenty of drinks/food/music to keep us motivated in a well-lit oversized two car garage.

Once stuff is apart, I can likely handle much of the work to rebuild until its time to put the big items back in.

Do you have A/C, or plan on keeping it?

LTb1ow · 10-26-2010, 05:12 PM

Sounds exactly like what we did to my car, I am in for round two.

Do you have a cherry picker Brian? And are you planning on removing the body panels and hood?

Blackbirdws6 · 10-26-2010, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LTs1ow

Sounds exactly like what we did to my car, I am in for round two.

Do you have a cherry picker Brian? And are you planning on removing the body panels and hood?

I will take all the skilled help I can get. Front bumper is coming off and so will the hood. Would like to keep the front fenders on (remove the liners). I will be borrowing Jon's cherry picker but would probably suggest additional tools be brought (mainly sockets and such) so everyone can keep moving and won't need to wait for a tool.

I have a compressor and everything else to get it done. Since I will likely be putting a lot of the stuff back together, I'm going to be picky with keeping things organized. Easy to rip apart but very easy to have stuff everywhere making it a pain to put back together.

Kirk - A/C will be staying. The compressor will be replaced during the build since mine is leaking a little bit.

LTb1ow · 10-26-2010, 05:45 PM

Ok, shouldn't be too horrible, my biggest concern would be messing up your beautiful paint etc.

Do you have flare wrenches for brake lines?

Long list of stuff, I guess I'll wait till you make a thread etc.