First Corvette Security Question
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
First Corvette Security Question
I just bought my first corvette yesterday for $4K 
. I specifically wanted one in need of restoration to give me something to do the next year and although these pictures don't look like it; it needs quite a lot of work. I am going to do a complete body off resto but now that I have it here I wanted to play with it a couple days before first.
My question is how does the security key in the fender work? The previous owner told me I couldn't start the car with the key so I have to keep climbing underneith and manually jumping the starter. I thought the security key was broken because none of my keys go in it so I removed it and just cut and twisted the 2 wires together. Needless to say it set off some wimpy horn in the rear driver well and did no favors to me using the key. I took the lock apart and I dont see any resistors or anything so I dont understand how it works. There's a known short but I was hoping this was the problem.
Help
Edit: Its a 74
. I specifically wanted one in need of restoration to give me something to do the next year and although these pictures don't look like it; it needs quite a lot of work. I am going to do a complete body off resto but now that I have it here I wanted to play with it a couple days before first.My question is how does the security key in the fender work? The previous owner told me I couldn't start the car with the key so I have to keep climbing underneith and manually jumping the starter. I thought the security key was broken because none of my keys go in it so I removed it and just cut and twisted the 2 wires together. Needless to say it set off some wimpy horn in the rear driver well and did no favors to me using the key. I took the lock apart and I dont see any resistors or anything so I dont understand how it works. There's a known short but I was hoping this was the problem.
Help
Edit: Its a 74
Last edited by Serial; Aug 7, 2006 at 01:55 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Nice '74. Wish I still had mine. 
I'm a little confused on the key issue. Square and round head GM keys operate the door locks, ignition, and rear storage compartment. Spare tire lock and theft alarm use smaller keys. I can't imagine why the PO has you crawling under the car to jump the starter unless the ignition key will not start the car. My guess is that you might need to replace the ignition cylinder.
I'm a little confused on the key issue. Square and round head GM keys operate the door locks, ignition, and rear storage compartment. Spare tire lock and theft alarm use smaller keys. I can't imagine why the PO has you crawling under the car to jump the starter unless the ignition key will not start the car. My guess is that you might need to replace the ignition cylinder.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
He gave me a square key and a round key and neither fit in the security key lock hole, I didn't know there's another key but he doesn't have it.
The car started only once since I got it from the ignition in the car but not since. I thought maybe there was a problem with the starter kill but I dont know how it works on corvettes to troubleshoot it.
I can start it everytime pretty easily with a screwdriver at the starter itself but I dont want to have to do that everytime.
Im starting to think I might have just cut off the security key for nothing but I'm still not sure due to the fact it still energizes an alarm horn when the wires going to the security key cylinder are crossed. There's still obviously something more to it than I understand.
The car started only once since I got it from the ignition in the car but not since. I thought maybe there was a problem with the starter kill but I dont know how it works on corvettes to troubleshoot it.
I can start it everytime pretty easily with a screwdriver at the starter itself but I dont want to have to do that everytime.
Im starting to think I might have just cut off the security key for nothing
but I'm still not sure due to the fact it still energizes an alarm horn when the wires going to the security key cylinder are crossed. There's still obviously something more to it than I understand.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville FL
on my 73, the square head key works the door locks and the ignition. tho round head key works the stowage compartment lock, spair tire lock, and the alarm. hopefully, the 74 is similar.
not really sure about any small keys.
there is no starter kill in the factory system unless the previous owner added one on his own.
maybe you should just get a compleate new lock set for the car. either that or a lock smith could probably fit a key to your alarm system key switch.
not really sure about any small keys.
there is no starter kill in the factory system unless the previous owner added one on his own.
maybe you should just get a compleate new lock set for the car. either that or a lock smith could probably fit a key to your alarm system key switch.
Last edited by mdj21; Aug 7, 2006 at 03:45 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Sounds like it's time to replace the ignition cylinder. You say she started only once with the key in the ignition.
Order a reporduction owner's manual for '74 if you don't already have one. While you're at it, order the assembly instruction manual (AIM) for '74. Lots of valuable information in the AIM.
Order a reporduction owner's manual for '74 if you don't already have one. While you're at it, order the assembly instruction manual (AIM) for '74. Lots of valuable information in the AIM.
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Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I guess I better not let the thread die without figuring it out. I went out and fiddled with it.
What happens is when the ignition is moved from ON to START the gauges and everthing electrical drain as if the starter was turning but its not. I guess its a short. Anyone know what color are the wires coming off of the ignition so I can start traceing ?
What happens is when the ignition is moved from ON to START the gauges and everthing electrical drain as if the starter was turning but its not. I guess its a short. Anyone know what color are the wires coming off of the ignition so I can start traceing ?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 7
From: Connecticut
Cant halp you much on the wiring but........
Just for kicks, make sure that both wires at the white plug on the alternator are firmly in place and making good contact
This threw me off on both my current Corvette and my 70 El Camino as Neither would start but had all the symptoms your describing
I doubt its your problem but its worth a look.
ps You cant let the thread die without letting us know what the problem was..... thats how everybody on this forum got to be an such an expert
Just for kicks, make sure that both wires at the white plug on the alternator are firmly in place and making good contact
This threw me off on both my current Corvette and my 70 El Camino as Neither would start but had all the symptoms your describing
I doubt its your problem but its worth a look.
ps You cant let the thread die without letting us know what the problem was..... thats how everybody on this forum got to be an such an expert
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,795
Likes: 1
2 quick things
#1 is it auto trans? if so did you try starting it in neutral?
could be nuetral safety switch and sometimes they will start
when put in neutral.
#2 is it stick shift? if so did you check the clutch safety switch?
you can try bypassing that and see if it works.
#1 is it auto trans? if so did you try starting it in neutral?
could be nuetral safety switch and sometimes they will start
when put in neutral.
#2 is it stick shift? if so did you check the clutch safety switch?
you can try bypassing that and see if it works.
