03 Z "Reduced Engine Power" and won't start
08-20-2015, 08:39 PM
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03 Z "Reduced Engine Power" and won't start
Guys I need some expert advice I am confused. I apologize for the long post in advance, but I don't want to leave any details out.
Today my brother was gonna surprise me and wash my 2003 Z06 and have it in my garage and covered up when I got home from work...well that didn't go as planned.
He got the car started and backed it out of garage let car idle for 15-20 seconds while he shut garage door and before he got back to my car it just died. He tried to get it started and it would turn over but wouldn't crank DIC had "Reduced Engine Power". He called me and when I got there it wouldn't start for me either. Here is the short version of what we tried.
Haven't heard fuel pump prime at all
1. Checked fuse and swapped relay with the fog lamp relay (same part #) fuse was good and relay didn't fix it.
2. Unhooked battery to go to get it tested battery tested good was unhooked for approximately 1 hour.
3. Returned home and used my brothers battery and car started and ran for less than 1 minute and died. Wouldn't restart
4. Swapped back to my battery and called a tow truck. When driver got there I checked and there was fuel at the rail but it still don't start/
5. Got it towed to my house 2.5 miles away and just for giggles I tried to start it and it cranks and ran for 10 minutes w/ no codes or DIC displays. I shut car off and haven't touched it. Still haven't heard pump prime, but we can hear the pump prime in my brothers Z.
I'm at a complete loss as to what the issue is. I ask for any help or suggestions. Thanks guys
Today my brother was gonna surprise me and wash my 2003 Z06 and have it in my garage and covered up when I got home from work...well that didn't go as planned.
He got the car started and backed it out of garage let car idle for 15-20 seconds while he shut garage door and before he got back to my car it just died. He tried to get it started and it would turn over but wouldn't crank DIC had "Reduced Engine Power". He called me and when I got there it wouldn't start for me either. Here is the short version of what we tried.
Haven't heard fuel pump prime at all
1. Checked fuse and swapped relay with the fog lamp relay (same part #) fuse was good and relay didn't fix it.
2. Unhooked battery to go to get it tested battery tested good was unhooked for approximately 1 hour.
3. Returned home and used my brothers battery and car started and ran for less than 1 minute and died. Wouldn't restart
4. Swapped back to my battery and called a tow truck. When driver got there I checked and there was fuel at the rail but it still don't start/
5. Got it towed to my house 2.5 miles away and just for giggles I tried to start it and it cranks and ran for 10 minutes w/ no codes or DIC displays. I shut car off and haven't touched it. Still haven't heard pump prime, but we can hear the pump prime in my brothers Z.
I'm at a complete loss as to what the issue is. I ask for any help or suggestions. Thanks guys
08-20-2015, 08:58 PM
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08-20-2015, 09:07 PM
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08-20-2015, 11:39 PM
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Guys now I'm dumbfounded. I went to the garage just 5 minutes ago, got in the car and turned the ignition to On I heard the fuel pump prime and it started right up. Didn't run funny or give me any new codes.
I'm glad that it appears to be working, but I'm worried if this issue is gonna come back at anytime. Or did my car just have a brain fart and disconnecting the battery for an hour and throwing it on a battery tender for a few hours fix it?
I'm glad that it appears to be working, but I'm worried if this issue is gonna come back at anytime. Or did my car just have a brain fart and disconnecting the battery for an hour and throwing it on a battery tender for a few hours fix it?
08-20-2015, 11:56 PM
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08-21-2015, 05:48 AM
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Low battery and issues with the ignition switch have been known to create all sorts of strange electrical symptoms/issues.
Have the battery tested. Just because the car will start does NOT mean the electrical systems had sufficient voltage to keep them happy. Many go through a diagnostic when the ignition is turned to on and low voltage can cause the diagnostics to fail.
Here is a link about diagnosing an ignition switch issue.:
diagnosis
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1568186703-post64.html
If the voltage measured across the battery posts differs more than about 0.4 volts from what is measured at the indicated fuses would indicate a need to repair or replace the ignition switch. Switch is what is BEHIND the key cylinder and is well known for heavy pitting and carbon build up on the contact surfaces on the C5 over time.
Have the battery tested. Just because the car will start does NOT mean the electrical systems had sufficient voltage to keep them happy. Many go through a diagnostic when the ignition is turned to on and low voltage can cause the diagnostics to fail.
Here is a link about diagnosing an ignition switch issue.:
diagnosis
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1568186703-post64.html
If the voltage measured across the battery posts differs more than about 0.4 volts from what is measured at the indicated fuses would indicate a need to repair or replace the ignition switch. Switch is what is BEHIND the key cylinder and is well known for heavy pitting and carbon build up on the contact surfaces on the C5 over time.
is the problem.
08-21-2015, 09:28 PM
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UPDATE: Since having my car towed to my house yesterday, I've gone to my garage and gotten my car to start and run for 5 minutes til I shut it off. I can also hear my fuel pump priming where as before I had it towed I couldn't. Is my pump on its way out and it just works randomly? But I know yesterday that when it wouldn't start and I couldn't hear my pump priming I still had fuel at the rail...I'm definitely confused and dumb founded. I just can't figure this out.
08-22-2015, 01:54 AM
#12
Racer
I am said brother in question. The only thing that has me stumped is when I originally started the car it ran maybe 30 seconds and just died, no sputtering or surging. After a few checks and it sitting for a few hours, we took the same type battery from my 03 Z(Optima Red Top) from my car and installed it. The battery in my car is consistently hooked to a Battery Tender Jr when not being driven. The car/battery had been hooked up for about 5 days straight.
Installed my battery car cranked right up, ran for roughly 30 seconds maybe less, and just died. Once again no sputtering or surging. Got the same messages about "Reduced Engine Power".
The thing that makes me question it all, is I was not hearing the fuel pump prime. And it cranked with my battery that was hooked up on a battery tender for several days, but still only ran for 20 seconds or so before it died.
The rest of the situation is explained in earlier posts..I am so confused about this!!!
Installed my battery car cranked right up, ran for roughly 30 seconds maybe less, and just died. Once again no sputtering or surging. Got the same messages about "Reduced Engine Power".
The thing that makes me question it all, is I was not hearing the fuel pump prime. And it cranked with my battery that was hooked up on a battery tender for several days, but still only ran for 20 seconds or so before it died.
The rest of the situation is explained in earlier posts..I am so confused about this!!!
08-22-2015, 07:19 AM
#13
Racer
UPDATE: Since having my car towed to my house yesterday, I've gone to my garage and gotten my car to start and run for 5 minutes til I shut it off. I can also hear my fuel pump priming where as before I had it towed I couldn't. Is my pump on its way out and it just works randomly? But I know yesterday that when it wouldn't start and I couldn't hear my pump priming I still had fuel at the rail...I'm definitely confused and dumb founded. I just can't figure this out.