Damn, won't start!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: VA
Damn, won't start!
It's a beautiful day here in Southern MD, so I thought I would take her out for a spin. I turned the key and all I heard was a "click". I figured the battery must be weak since I have neglected to keep the charger on it in the past month since I had it out last. After a while of charging, still just clicks. Ok, so I figured the battery drained too much and it just can't recover, so I replaced the battery and the thing still just "clicks" when I turn the ignition. The sound is similar to what it's like when the battery doesn't have enough juice to turn the engine over. But, the battery is fine.
Before I take it to someone or start throwing new parts at it, anyone have any ideas on where I should start trouble-shooting this?
Before I take it to someone or start throwing new parts at it, anyone have any ideas on where I should start trouble-shooting this?
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Well if you hear the starter clicking, then the starter is still good. Since you just replaced the battery, that shouldn't be it. So, the next thing that I would check would be the alternator, esp. since your car has probably sat for awhile.
I hope that this helps you.
Scott
I hope that this helps you.
Scott
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Check all the battery cables and make sure they are clean. Check the ground cable from the battery to the frame and from the engine to the frame. Next suspect would be the starter solenoid. Also, it would help if you filled out your profile so we know what year Vette you have.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 2
From: Sherwood Park AB
You hear the solenoid clicking. The problem is probably your starter.
Maybe the starter is jammed, try rocking the vehicle back and forth to free it, or lightly tapping the starter with a small hammer. If that fails, remove the starter and have it tested.
Maybe the starter is jammed, try rocking the vehicle back and forth to free it, or lightly tapping the starter with a small hammer. If that fails, remove the starter and have it tested.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Originally Posted by rexx78
You hear the solenoid clicking. The problem is probably your starter.
Maybe the starter is jammed, try rocking the vehicle back and forth to free it, or lightly tapping the starter with a small hammer. If that fails, remove the starter and have it tested.
Maybe the starter is jammed, try rocking the vehicle back and forth to free it, or lightly tapping the starter with a small hammer. If that fails, remove the starter and have it tested.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,575
Likes: 1
From: Tuttle OK
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Originally Posted by Michaeljh2000
I figured the battery must be weak since I have neglected to keep the charger on it in the past month since I had it out last.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 494
Likes: 2
From: rockwall tx
first thing check with a voltmeter and make sure you are getting 12v to the start. if not then check the cables and connections. if you get 12v to the starter then remove the starter and have it checked, could be starter or the siloniod. if you bought a new battery then its either cables or starter. but check with a voltmeter before you start removing anything.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton Ontario
Everybody is covering the bases pretty well here. You have a new battery so you have juice. You won't be able to test the alternator until you get it running. My bet is on the starter solenoid. Tap it lightly and see if you can get it to engage.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Originally Posted by SBcoupeC3
Well if you hear the starter clicking, then the starter is still good. Since you just replaced the battery, that shouldn't be it. So, the next thing that I would check would be the alternator, esp. since your car has probably sat for awhile.
I hope that this helps you.
Scott
I hope that this helps you.
Scott
Hmm, I always thought the alternator only worked when the engine was running
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 7
From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by SIXFOOTER
Hmm, I always thought the alternator only worked when the engine was running
Both the Main(heavy wire) and the plastic plug....make sure both wires are secure and clean in the plastic plug
This has had me scratching my head twice....I know, once should have been enough...
Last edited by Bob Onit; Aug 13, 2006 at 09:26 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Hudson Falls, N.Y. 76 Vette Modified L-48
GROUNDS!!....make sure all your grounds are clean and tight...starters just don't go bad sitting....grounds will corrode....and don't worry about the alternator...geez
7th Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Chesterfield Va
I know it's off the wall but have to throw it out there
I know it's off the wall but have to throw it out there, I am new to forum, but have a few years experiance with C3's, I had the same problem with a 1969 that I owned many years ago, after trying all the normal things that would fix this problem, I was ready to throw in the towel, but during this time of troubleshooting I kept smelling gas, turn out a float had stuck and the motor was full of gas. In later years I was telling my story to a seasoned restorer of vintage cars and he said he had only seen this happen once and it was to a 1969 Corvette.
Racin
Racin
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Originally Posted by Bob Onit
Check ALL connections on the alternator
Both the Main(heavy wire) and the plastic plug....make sure both wires are secure and clean in the plastic plug
This has had me scratching my head twice....I know, once should have been enough...
Both the Main(heavy wire) and the plastic plug....make sure both wires are secure and clean in the plastic plug
This has had me scratching my head twice....I know, once should have been enough...
