C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Starter signal issues

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 25, 2022 | 07:14 PM
  #1  
bw81's Avatar
bw81
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
Default Starter signal issues

Working on my 81 which has been sitting for years .. When i turn the ignition im getting a click from the compartment behind the passenger seat ... Ive already pulled the starter and verified it does work and replaced solenoid.....test using jumper cables and battery to verify motor spun up and engaged ... I assume that is a relay im hearing ? Can anyone shed some light thanks

Does still have the ecm and is plugged in .. Verified battery is fully charged via .. Battery charger
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2022 | 08:35 PM
  #2  
derekderek's Avatar
derekderek
Race Director
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
Default

take a long piece os wire. attach it to the S terminal. run t up into the car and touch battery positive. if starter spins, it is the ignition switch circuit. if no spin it is battery terminal issue of bad ground. sometimes they will pass enough juice to run the low-powered stuff but not fire the starter. did you open the compartments and try to isolate the click? i didn't think 81 had a separate starter relay like a boat does.d.
if there is a separate solenoid-relay in the interior, the contacts are oxidized from sitting and it needs replace
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2022 | 11:23 PM
  #3  
bw81's Avatar
bw81
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
Default


This is the passenger side compartment behind seat
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2022 | 11:26 PM
  #4  
calwldlife's Avatar
calwldlife
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
Default

alarm stuff
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2022 | 11:32 PM
  #5  
bw81's Avatar
bw81
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
Default

It clicks when i turn ignition .. Could it be preventing start ?

single click everytime
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2022 | 11:35 PM
  #6  
calwldlife's Avatar
calwldlife
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
Default

there is an interrupt/disable starter as part of alarm
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2022 | 11:38 PM
  #7  
bw81's Avatar
bw81
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
Default

Any idea how disable it ? .. I have keys to ignition and thats all .. .. Thx for help
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2022 | 11:41 PM
  #8  
bw81's Avatar
bw81
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
Default

Looks like turning a key counter clockwise from drivers door
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 25, 2022 | 11:47 PM
  #9  
calwldlife's Avatar
calwldlife
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
Default

it has been a long time but door key/switch
turns off alarm.

Over a day or 2 I will try to get the manual info.
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2022 | 09:29 PM
  #10  
bw81's Avatar
bw81
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
Default

Update .. I removed black and white wire from starter disconnect relay plug ( which is part of the anti theft).... I test voltage on the purple and white wires both are receiving 12 volts with ignition on ... Plug it back into relay .. Starter does click ... My question is on the starter .. U have the larger bolt that feeds it power i assume .. Then there is the starter wire .... At what point should i be receiving 12 volts at the starter ? .. Testing from the large bolt im only getting 2 to 4 volts with ignition on ..i have no one to try and start it at the moment.. Is there somewhere else between the anitheft relay and the starter i should be checking voltage ?
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2022 | 09:48 PM
  #11  
bw81's Avatar
bw81
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
Default

It appears it should be a constant 12 volts .... Seems like ive got a bad wire from battery to starter ...
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2022 | 09:54 PM
  #12  
bw81's Avatar
bw81
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
Default


Reply
Old Nov 29, 2022 | 12:13 AM
  #13  
Peterbuilt's Avatar
Peterbuilt
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,427
Likes: 1,560
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Default Hi and Welcome

Originally Posted by bw81

This is the passenger side compartment behind the seat
Relays in the jack box:
Outboard to inboard
Delay wiper relay
Power antenna relay
Theft deterrent electric control module

Now go to Papawana and get an '81 schematic.
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2022 | 01:56 AM
  #14  
Kingtal0n's Avatar
Kingtal0n
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,222
Likes: 1,080
From: South Florida
Default

I'm not saying this is your issue. But this may be a future issue you may face, and also it may serve as an alternative to bypass your current situation, possibly.

Most cars use something like this to trigger starter solenoid. The battery feeds a fusebox, neutral safety, lock cylinder contacts which are thin, and this can result with significant wear in the lock cylinder contacts as well as voltage drop which may create difficulty trying to move the starter. This is a common problem for older vehicles.

This is a simple fix to bypass the lock cylinder and fuse box while still keeping the circuit in effect and utilizing any theft protection it may offer separately from the solenoid current driver. You can add a general 40amp relay as shown below which runs a short wire directly from battery to starter, using the lock cylinder ignition circuit as a trigger.


That will relieve the lock cylinder circuit from the current draw of the solenoid, which while it isn't much, is still significant and troublesome to many types of old vehicle

Reply
Old Nov 29, 2022 | 07:04 AM
  #15  
bw81's Avatar
bw81
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
Default

Originally Posted by Kingtal0n
I'm not saying this is your issue. But this may be a future issue you may face, and also it may serve as an alternative to bypass your current situation, possibly.

Most cars use something like this to trigger starter solenoid. The battery feeds a fusebox, neutral safety, lock cylinder contacts which are thin, and this can result with significant wear in the lock cylinder contacts as well as voltage drop which may create difficulty trying to move the starter. This is a common problem for older vehicles.

This is a simple fix to bypass the lock cylinder and fuse box while still keeping the circuit in effect and utilizing any theft protection it may offer separately from the solenoid current driver. You can add a general 40amp relay as shown below which runs a short wire directly from battery to starter, using the lock cylinder ignition circuit as a trigger.


That will relieve the lock cylinder circuit from the current draw of the solenoid, which while it isn't much, is still significant and troublesome to many types of old vehicle
thx was going to trace wires and see how they were routed
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2022 | 07:11 AM
  #16  
bw81's Avatar
bw81
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
Default

Originally Posted by Peterbuilt
Relays in the jack box:
Outboard to inboard
Delay wiper relay
Power antenna relay
Theft deterrent electric control module

Now go to Papawana and get an '81 schematic.
reached out to Papawana thx
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2022 | 03:34 PM
  #17  
calwldlife's Avatar
calwldlife
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
Default






Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Starter signal issues

Old Nov 29, 2022 | 04:20 PM
  #18  
bw81's Avatar
bw81
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
Default

Thanks
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2022 | 05:07 PM
  #19  
calwldlife's Avatar
calwldlife
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
Default

if there is more detail needed, I'll try
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2022 | 05:16 PM
  #20  
bw81's Avatar
bw81
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
Default

Ive think ive narrowed it the battery cable .not getting 12 volts .. Going to try and bypass it .. A bit surprised giving the size of cable .. Doesnt look fun to replace .. But hopefully thats all it is ... Eager to hear it fire .. I bypassed alarm for the moment ... And starter does click just not enough voltage
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:39 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE