82 Corvette no start
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
82 Corvette no start
Recently purchased 82 Corvette stored for awhile. Changed all fluids, plugs, etc. New battery. When turning key to start position 1 click is heard from computer. Nothing else. Any ideas?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 213
From: The Buckle of the Bible Belt. Joplin Mo
Welcome to the Forum. Could be a Myriad of issues with a Corvette that has been sitting for a while. I would make sure your ground is good, and battery cables and connectors are also in good condition.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 488
From: Leonardtown Maryland
Welcome! Did it run and drive before you changed the fluids and other parts? If you do not know then good luck with it. Get a factory service manual and start reading. Oh, and if you have any questions feel free to ask.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Tommy,
Easiest diagnosis is to always backtrack to the last thing you did. Which in your case, was a new battery.
Which means the battery cable terminal could be the culprit.
Likely you have side-post battery connection. One of the dumbest ideas from the automotive chalkboard.
Take the cables back off and reset the connection. The battery is new, so should be spotless.
But sometimes a rubber insulator washer on the cable terminal prevents a 100% contact point.
Some people have switched the cable ends to a "top-post" just for that reason.
I took those little battery cable bolts off and threw them in the round file box.
Then bought two bolts, same diameter, same thread pitch, but 1 & 1/2 inches long.
With a large washer and nut on the new bolt, snug the bolt into the battery.
Now you just tighten the nut & washer. Simple.
The extra length battery bolt makes jumper cables easy to clamp on.
Piece of rubber hose on the bolt protects against accidental arcing.
Easiest diagnosis is to always backtrack to the last thing you did. Which in your case, was a new battery.
Which means the battery cable terminal could be the culprit.
Likely you have side-post battery connection. One of the dumbest ideas from the automotive chalkboard.
Take the cables back off and reset the connection. The battery is new, so should be spotless.
But sometimes a rubber insulator washer on the cable terminal prevents a 100% contact point.
Some people have switched the cable ends to a "top-post" just for that reason.
I took those little battery cable bolts off and threw them in the round file box.
Then bought two bolts, same diameter, same thread pitch, but 1 & 1/2 inches long.
With a large washer and nut on the new bolt, snug the bolt into the battery.
Now you just tighten the nut & washer. Simple.
The extra length battery bolt makes jumper cables easy to clamp on.
Piece of rubber hose on the bolt protects against accidental arcing.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Aug 6, 2025 at 07:28 PM.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
All cables are clean. Ground to chassis is good and clean also. Confused as to why when you turn key to start position the computer just makes that one simple click.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 1,959
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,190
Likes: 832
From: Chapel Hill NC
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Is the click from the computer or more likely from the starter. If from the starter Id recheck the connections at the starter then check the solenoid.
