73, Dark Blue 454

About a half year ago I purchased a 96 LT-4 Vette (weekend cruiser) that's run flawlessly, until this morn.

I started her up, drove down my driveway past my gate. Turned the ignition off, locked my gate, returned the Vette, and then she wouldn't start.

When I turn the key to the 'start' position I get dash lights but nothing else; no clicks from the starter solenoid, etc. Again, the battery seems fine since she cranked problem free only two minutes prior.

When you hit the ignition, she acts as if the clutch pedal isn't engaged, but I have the pedal decked.

For diagnosing, where do I start?

Thanks in advance!

okmac

My vette is an automatic so i do not know about the workings of your stick shift. But if this happened on my motorcycle , i would try to start it in neutral and if it started it would be the clutch switch.

Mac

73, Dark Blue 454

Thanks Mac. I tried that. The neutral safety switch, I believe, is somewhere around the clutch pedal. Perhaps it's gone bad or the connector came loose. When I get home from work, I'll look with a flashlight. Hope it's something simple, though nothing is easy in my life.

Any other ideas?

okmac

This is the starter circuit on my 91 vette according to my fsm.
When the ignition swithch is moved to the start position,voltage is applied to the starter solenoid through the starter enable relay contacts and the clutch start switch. The central control module energizes the starter enable relay by grounding one side of the relay coil When the starter enable relay is energized , the normally open contacts close , completing the circuit to the starter solenoid.

I guess you could check and see if you have power to the solenoid and if not, trace it back.

Another swag is a problem with the pass key system.

Luck
Mac

73, Dark Blue 454

Mac,..I think you're on to something. Where on my 96 is the Starter Enable Relay? I want get some voltage readings.

Yello95

Mine did the same thing years ago and it was the ignitiion switch...there are 2 thin wires attached to the ignition switch/key lock...after taking it out the mechanic showed me the common problem that occurs around 50K miles..one of the wires comes off the switch...put in a new cylinder /ignition switch in and bingo

okmac

I cannot tell you for sure, on a 96, on my 91 the relay is located on the multi-use relay bracket behind the left side of the instrument panel.

Mac

73, Dark Blue 454

Got her runnin'. Apparently the 'computer chip' on the ignition key had become a bit mucked. Some rubbing alcohol and a clean cloth fixed everything, apparently.

Thanks again!

okmac

Glad to hear it.

Regards
Mac

Yello95