Won't Start
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 858
Likes: 0
From: McKeesport PA
Won't Start
I finally had some time yesterday to finish the vacuuming of the carpet in the vette. I got the last of the carpet by getting the passenger seat out and then I put it back in. Well, I tried to start it and it didn't do anything. All that happened was the radio cut and the brake light comes on on the dash. Has this ever happened to anyone? I think the solenoid on the starter is bad. What do you guys think?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 802
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From: What do I know anyway? I'm just a 50 year old No0b
If you hit the starter and the radio died I think your battery is dead or has poor connections. Don't overlook the obvious before you start pulling the starter off and such. Make sure your terminals are clean and tight and the battery has a full charge. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 802
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From: What do I know anyway? I'm just a 50 year old No0b
Have you put a volt meter on the battery to make SURE it is good? It should read over 12 volts, if it is less it needs charging. Why did you replace the battery three days ago? Was the car showing the same symptons then? You may have a drain on it that is pulling it down. You need to absolutely isolate this issue before you go any further.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 858
Likes: 0
From: McKeesport PA
The last battery couldn't handle a load. I'd have the radio on for 10 minutes and the engine off; the battery would drop from 12.3 to 9.7
So I got a new battery, and there's nothing wrong with it. It started the car before this problem occured.
So I got a new battery, and there's nothing wrong with it. It started the car before this problem occured.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 804
Likes: 1
From: The land of 10,000 lakes ,Minnesota 89 coupe 6speed with 383 and 89 roadster 6speed bonestock with XXX low miles
It don't happen offen but the connections on the starter/block may have come loose or gotten dirty (take a look at them)If someone has replaced a starter or battery cable in the past it is a good possibility
Last edited by 89sleeper; Dec 29, 2005 at 01:45 PM.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 858
Likes: 0
From: McKeesport PA
I was just outside trying to get the vette to start. When you turn the key all the way forward it won't crank or even click. You can get the engine to crank by jumping the solenoid but it still won't run. and there's no voltage reading to the small wire on the starter when the key is in the start position. Any suggestions on what's wrong or what to do?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,363
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From: 1994 LT1 Coupe 6-speed with FX3 & 2000 LS1 Vert 6-Speed with F45 Hunterdon County, NJ
my quick thoughts would be:
how long before doing the seat removal had the car been started? did you disconnect the battery to remove the seat? Any chance the battery terminals are switched/backwards? Did you pull any fuses while doing the carpet/seat removal and replace or blow-out the wrong one an important one? Have you checked all the fuses inside and in engine bay and all fusible links (especially the ones behind the battery)? If your year car has VATS, could it be that and/or alarm and/or after market alarm system acting-up?
how long before doing the seat removal had the car been started? did you disconnect the battery to remove the seat? Any chance the battery terminals are switched/backwards? Did you pull any fuses while doing the carpet/seat removal and replace or blow-out the wrong one an important one? Have you checked all the fuses inside and in engine bay and all fusible links (especially the ones behind the battery)? If your year car has VATS, could it be that and/or alarm and/or after market alarm system acting-up?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 858
Likes: 0
From: McKeesport PA
Originally Posted by theadmiral94
my quick thoughts would be:
how long before doing the seat removal had the car been started?
how long before doing the seat removal had the car been started?
did you disconnect the battery to remove the seat?
Any chance the battery terminals are switched/backwards?
Did you pull any fuses while doing the carpet/seat removal and replace or blow-out the wrong one an important one?
Have you checked all the fuses inside and in engine bay and all fusible links (especially the ones behind the battery)?
If your year car has VATS, could it be that and/or alarm and/or after market alarm system acting-up?
I'll check the fuses. Thanks.
Try using your spare key. You might be surprized. Dave
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 132
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From: Dewey Az
Anymore ideas ? By some weird coincidence, I came home from work tonight, was in the house long enough to change to go play golf, and when I went out to start the car, I got nothing ! No starter, no solenoid, just the instrument lights and the heater fan ! I absolutely touched nothing on the car. 
Turned it off, ten minutes later, tried to turn it on ! ARGHHHH - help PLEASE !!!!!
Turned it off, ten minutes later, tried to turn it on ! ARGHHHH - help PLEASE !!!!!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 858
Likes: 0
From: McKeesport PA
Originally Posted by Wile'sVette
Anymore ideas ? By some weird coincidence, I came home from work tonight, was in the house long enough to change to go play golf, and when I went out to start the car, I got nothing ! No starter, no solenoid, just the instrument lights and the heater fan ! I absolutely touched nothing on the car. Turned it off, ten minutes later, tried to turn it on ! ARGHHHH - help PLEASE !!!!!
Turned it off, ten minutes later, tried to turn it on ! ARGHHHH - help PLEASE !!!!!-------------------------------------------
Actually, what kept my car from starting was the alarm on it. I left it to sit overnight last night and figured I'd try it the next morning. Well, this morning I went out to the vette to see if it would start. It worked. I'm up and running; back in business.
Last edited by gigaglytch; Dec 30, 2005 at 09:16 PM.