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1988 Chevy Camaro battery?

Tiny
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  • 1988 CHEVROLET CAMARO
Engine Mechanical problem
1988 Chevy Camaro V8 Automatic

I was having a problem where the car wouldn't idol by itself for the first minute after starting it, then it would run great. I unplugged the positve battery terminal and replaced the fuel pump relay. When I plugged the battery back in, I heard a high pitched sound coming from in the cockpit. This sound went away upon turning the key on, but now the car won't start. At first I thought maybe it was in the relay, but even with the old relay, it still wont start. It was running great, and I wouldn't have thought unplugging the battery would cause such an issue. Any ideas as to what it might be?
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Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 AT 6:37 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
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No idea. Are there any applicable trouble codes? If it cranks good but won't start, have a helper crank it, while visually check for spark at the plugs. Use a gage and check fuel pressure. Got to start somewhere.
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Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 AT 8:46 AM
Tiny
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Thx I guess I'll give it a shot. I can't imagine it's not something stupid. It was running great minutes before unhooking the battery!
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Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 AT 9:06 AM
Tiny
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Did you check the fuses? A voltage spike is all I could think of?
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Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 AT 9:31 AM
Tiny
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Actually no, it pissed me off so I stepped away from it lol. That'll be the first thing I check when I get home from work, thx!
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Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 AT 9:57 AM
Tiny
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So I checked all the fuses and none are blown. Its getting gas. Someone suggested that the noise I heard could have been the anti theft mechanism? If it is, then how do I bypass it if it won't let me turn my own car on?
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Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 AT 4:56 PM
Tiny
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Unless it is aftermarket, there is no security system. MOD didn't show it?
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Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 AT 6:43 PM
Tiny
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Not sure, don't have one. But, every single time I unhook the battery, upon reconnecting it, there is a high pitched sound that sounds like its coming from in the steering column or in the dash. Its a contiunous sound until I turn the key on. Then is doesn't do it again unless I unhook the battery and rehook it again.
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Thursday, June 24th, 2010 AT 6:13 AM
Tiny
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So I still cant figure out whats wrong! I checked the engine codes and it just repeated 12 which means it found no issues. For shits and giggles I put a new battery in it. Upon connecting it I heard the beep again and also noticed a clicking sound that is in sync with the dome lights flashing on and off. This all goes away when I turn the key to on, but the car still just turns over w/o starting
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Thursday, July 8th, 2010 AT 9:10 AM
Tiny
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Did you ever visually check for spark at the plugs. Pull a spark plug wire, use known good plug or spark tester in the boot, ground metal part of tester to metal part of engine, engine cranking, watch for spark.

Use a gage to check fuel pressure, having some pressure isn't good enough. Some of the national brand autostores used to loan out a fuel pressure gage, if you don't have one.

You might try some starter fluid, there are some safety issues with using a flamable spray, the safety issue is your responsibility. I take the air duct loose from the throttle-body, open the throttle valve, spray just a little in there, don't stand over the engine, do not work the throttle pedal, just turn the key to crank, see if the engine tries to start.

I can't help about the noise, don't know what it is? Check the relays, usually you can put your fingers on the relay and feel if it is clicking?
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Thursday, July 8th, 2010 AT 9:27 AM
Tiny
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Well I couldnt get a fuel pressure gauge yet but, I just replaced the pick up and it gets great spark at the plug. I took oput the number 1 plug and got it to top dead center and checked the timing, right on. I checked the fuel lines and saw that the one on the driver side was getting a lot of fuel when I turned the key on. The passenger side wasn't getting any so I assumed that was the return?
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Wednesday, July 14th, 2010 AT 5:57 PM
Tiny
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If you check fuel pump volumn on the return side, if it will fill up a tall-boy beer can in under 30 seconds, I call it good volumn. Maybe not very scientific, an empty beer can is usually the only empty container I can find. Lol
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Thursday, July 15th, 2010 AT 11:14 AM

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