my dad's z28 won't start!

[QuasarBlue95]

this is cut and pasted from my post at cz28.com. maybe someone here has some ideas! i'm stumped!


my dad's 93 z28 a4 stalled today. it was driving fine before it stalled, no warning signs. after stalling at idle at a light, he tried to restart it. it turned over very slowly. someone pulled over and helped him jump it to no avail. it still turned over slowly. after a minute of this a small puff of smoke came from the engine compartment. after that it wouldn't turn over at all. after work i went to take a look. it was getting dark an i didn't bring a lift and jack so i couldn't check underneath. all the fuses were good. didn't see any relays that had to do with the starter. tried jumping again, still nothing. i could hear the fuel pump prime. i tried to listen for the starter solenoid, but i only heard some light clicking, not sure if it was the solenoid (my jeep solenoid gives you a LOUD click to let you know it's working). he does have an aftermarket alarm (viper).
here is what i think: there are 2 seperate problems.

1-why did it stall
2-why won't it turn over

my guess as to why:

1-no idea why it stalled.
2-it won't turn over because the starter was failing to begin with, and it finally died. or the alarm is screwy and is cutting off the starter (which doesn't expain why it turned over slowly to begin with).

so my plan is to pull the starter tomorrow and have it checked, and if it's fine check the cable going from the positive terminal to the starter soleniod to see if there is some kind of cutout thing from the alarm, and if there is, bypass it. i guess i could run a cable from the positive term to the starter soleniod while i have the car on jacks before i pull the starter.


any one have any ideas? had this happen to them? any and all advice is appreciated!!!

[Fin]

If all else fails, check the Opti...LT1's are notorious for crapping Opti's.

[Original 4th Gen V6]

Im just gonna throw this out there--- CAMAROV6.com/FIREBIRDV6.com...Why are there posts about LT1's on here? Im not saying I have a prob with LT1's or LS1's but it is a V6 site...

[Blue Flame V6]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Original 4th Gen V6:
Im just gonna throw this out there--- CAMAROV6.com/FIREBIRDV6.com...Why are there posts about LT1's on here? Im not saying I have a prob with LT1's or LS1's but it is a V6 site...<hr></blockquote>

Everyone is welcome to post problems about any car.

Ok have you checked the battery cables? kinda sounds like that could be the problem. I had a cable go bad on my 95 and it did the exact same thing.

[QuasarBlue95]

original, i'm not going to flame you, but have a look around, there are plenty of z28s and t/a's in here. at least one of our moderators has a z28, does he have to leave? if you don't have anything helpful to add, don't post. i'll add my signature, does that make you feel better? just trying to help my dad out.

edit: thanks blue! it was getting a little dark so i wasn't able to check the cables well, i will do that first thing when i pop the hood tomorrow! sometimes it's the simplest thing! i can hope! [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[ March 06, 2002: Message edited by: wilsoncj6 ]</p>

[supercamaroz06]

Sound like its brolen and time for a new one!!!! By the way looks as if you have an extra V8 on your hand, you could alawys send it down to me ill take it off your hands!!! JK :D

but all kidding aside it could also be the fuses because when i drove my 88 silverado last year i got the started replaced becasue it wouldnt start, then when in a fastfood drive thru line the truck quit working, i tried to start it up but it wouldnt work, i thought it was the starter again but it ended up being a Fuse, so check all your fuses it couldnt hurt! Hope this was a help!

Eddie

[supercamaroz06]

oh wait i just re-read your post and see you have tried the fuses.....sorry about that....i have no idea what the problem could be. but it sound electrical

[QuasarBlue95]

thanks supercamaroz06! ya, it sounds electrical to me too. i didn't check the fuel pressure going to the rails, but i heard the pump prime, so i'm assuming the fuel system is good for now. i'll update tomorrow after i check her out in the light! fingers crossed! i got to take good care of his z28, because it's going to be mine one day!!! [img]graemlins/burnout.gif[/img]

[Guardsman]

If you try turning starting it again, watch the dome lights, and see if they dim considerably. If they do, of course that means there's a short somewhere. If not, at least it rules out something in the circuit grounded.
Also, check for fusible links. They can cause all kinds of problems, because they're not on the main fuse panels. A schematic will show where in the circuit they are. Then you get the fun and exciting task of tracing wires :D . If you need a wiring manual, the Haynes have them, or go to a dealership, and ask if you can take a look at their shop manual. Hope this helps.