nelswhytry

My battery was going bad, so I went and bought new battery for my 1994 automatic vette. Now it doesn't start, it won't even turn over or click, just completely dead. The second I hook the battery up the hazards start flashing and will randomly go on and off.

Here is what I have tried:
1. Charged new battery to 100% charged.
2. Tried both sets of keys.
3. Manually locked and unlocked doors using key.
4. Tried starting it in Neutral.
5. Unhooked the battery for 1 hour to reset system.
6. Checked fuses.

I think it is an issue with the VATS but can't figure it out.
I also wonder if there is some aftermarket security system on it as there is a little toggle switch under the drivers side door.

Any suggestions would be great!

jv9999

Dead as in no interior lights, radio, anything? Or dead as in the lights and radio work but it won't crank?

nelswhytry

I have interior lights, radio, ect. Just will not crank.

Latoolman

can you hear the starter solenoid click? i don't know much about vats. if it's clicking maybe a bad engine ground or bad positive line going to the starter...

good luck ! just did the starter in my '94... so much smoother starting, my gear was sticking..

Cliff Harris

Check the battery cables (BOTH ends) for clean and solid connections.

What does the SECURITY light do while all this is happening?

hcbph

These are just some random thoughts. The vats system can be bypassed as far as reading the key. You can get a pigtail with a resistor in it (which has to match the value in your key). There's a 2 wire connection that comes from the steering wheel to the center of the dash, one wire is orange from what I remember. Unplug that and plug in the pigtail to the wire going to the center and you've bypassed reading the resistor on the key. There's also a switch somewhere on either the transmission or shifter that functions like a neutral start switch. If it's like a manual, you can bypass that with a jumper wire.
I think in your case, I'd start with the starter. Insure you have voltage at the starter solenoid when the key is turned. Clean up all the connectors first would be where I'd start.

good luck.

kg4fku

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-no-start.html

Pa'svette

The starter interrupt relay seems to be a common problem. My 91 did the same thing three times and if I let it set for 20-30 min. it would start. I put a new relay in and it's been ok every since (knock on wood). Relay is about $15.00 at NAPA .
Pa

kg4fku

I just noticed this in your original post. What do you mean by this?

Do you have an aftermarket alarm system or remote starter installed on this car?

I know my car does not act like this when I hook the battery up and my battery was out all winter. So something is not as per design.

RollaMo-LT4

Post a picture of this "toggle switch".
Nothing like that under the door of any factory car that I know of.

DinoBob

Dude you have a Viper or one of those other crappy '90s alarms. When you hook the battery up they fail active. I assume you have no remotes.

nelswhytry

Thanks for the help!

I found a Viper aftermarket security system under the dash. I unplugged it and now everything works fine. The previous owner must have had this put on.

One trick I learned to help with my issue is to have the hood closed when connecting the battery, this helped override part of the aftermarket security system. The car would at least start, but the lights would still flash. Unplugged the Viper and it still starts fine and no lights flashing.

Now having fun getting the battery side panel to line up nicely.