# What is up with my '85 Corvette **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** chevrolet, corvette\ **Created:** [October 25, 2013, 8:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-up-with-my-85-corvette/81943 "2013-10-25T20:58:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Detonate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Detonate](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Detonate)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 8:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-up-with-my-85-corvette/81943/1 "2013-10-25T20:58:39Z")
I placed my Corvette with a consignment seller this summer. When he had no action, I took the car back but…battery dead. Fully recharged it, car started immediately (first time in 2-months) but then died and will not restart. My ace mechanic has replaced fuel pump, distributer, but no fire. Indication is weak/no signal at he injectors. Could this be residual Theft Prevention system? I had that fail years ago and I pulled the module and the car has done fine for 4-years, until now. What do we have here??? ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2013, 9:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-up-with-my-85-corvette/81943/2 "2013-10-25T21:31:29Z")
What you described is a classic symptom of a fuel kill switch operating. You start it, and it runs until the fuel in the lines is used up. ---
**Author:** ![Detonate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Detonate](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Detonate)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 4:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-up-with-my-85-corvette/81943/3 "2013-10-28T04:41:24Z")
And that would be where? "Cause if it’s hardware, I never put it there. If it is part of the infernal security system, then I really need to know. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 8:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-up-with-my-85-corvette/81943/4 "2013-10-28T08:36:26Z")
1981-1988 were the dark years for Detroit…Ignition and fuel systems were in a state of constant change…The emissions controls were add-on junk… Is there spark getting to the plugs? Will a shot of ether (starting fluid) get it to run momentarily? ---
**Author:** ![knfenimore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9fc348/32.png) [@knfenimore](https://community.cartalk.com/u/knfenimore)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 8:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-up-with-my-85-corvette/81943/5 "2013-10-28T20:36:15Z")
The VATS system was first on the 1985 Vette. The resistor in the key could be out of tolerance causing the no start condition. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 9:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-up-with-my-85-corvette/81943/6 "2013-10-28T21:20:16Z")
First thing I’d do is what @Caddyman suggests: try some starting fluid. If nothing, then it’s ignition/key/immobilizer. If it tries to start then fuel injection issues… ---
**Author:** ![Detonate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Detonate](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Detonate)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2013, 1:33am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-up-with-my-85-corvette/81943/7 "2013-11-09T01:33:30Z")
Done all that. There is weak spark and weak pulse to the injectors. I had the Security system do a meltdown 2 yrs ago and pulled the module which cured the issue. Battery went fully dead before I put a slow charge on it, overnight, and it started immediately – but only ran for about 15 sec, and just died. Nothing else sense and no common cures work (fuel pump, distributer)