C4 engine wont start
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
C4 engine wont start
During the winter my battery went dead after sitting for 4 weeks. I attempted to get into the vette to find the security system was set on. this disengaged the starter by the Theft interrupt relay, or a malfunctioning nuetral switch on the automatic transmission. I put a new battery in the car only to still not be able to follow the owner's manual to disengage the alarm system. vette still wont start. There dosen't seem to be a replacement part for the relay, I'm told. I have been told to possible wire around it, but I don't know where the relay is located. Any ideas on how to get the vette started or what the problem might be?
Need help.
Need help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
Likes: 8
From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
You did a lot of diagnosing I wonder how you came to your conclusions. The security light comes on anytime you open the door by the way.How did you determine the security system was "set on" I have never heard this before. What does your car do?Does the FP come on when you turn it on? I think you have an issue but nothing like you think it is.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
We could offer a lot more specific help if you would bother to tell us what year C4 you want help with, they are not made all alike! Furthermore, what do you mean by, "..it still won't start"? Do you mean the starter cranks the engine but the engine won't catch and run or that the starter will not crank the engine? For the starter to crank, the starter solenoid has to close, do you hear a click from the starter solenoid? If not, it could be VATS, or it could be a defective gear safety switch. If no click, remove the console cover and unplug the gear safety switch at the base of the gear lever and jump the wiring harness plug and measure the voltage across the jumper when you hit crank position. If you have 12v and no click or cranking, then you have either a bad battery or battery connection or a defective starter solenoid or starter motor. If you jump 12v to the jumper, the starter should crank. If no 12v then VATS is suspect. Remove the kick panel above the drivers feet and locate the 2 wires from above the steering column that go to a 2 pin connector and unplug them. Insert key and measure the resistance across the wires from the steering column. It should measure the same value as the pellet in the ign key. If more than 4% from the pellet, or over 13k ohms, you have defective contacts in the ign lock that make connection to the key pellet. You can temporarily bypass VATS (depending on what year C4) by connecting a resistor the same value as your pellet across the 2 pin socket from the wiring harness (goes to the VATS module). You can use a 1/4 watt 5% resistor or several in series or parallel from Radio Shack to get the correct value (must be less than 4% from pellet value). Don't permanently bypass VATS because 99% of thefts are done by bashing the column and jumping the ignition. I've typed this over 300 times and you could have found it if you used the search function at the top of your screen.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 0
From: Sebastian Florida
St. Jude Donor '06
We could offer a lot more specific help if you would bother to tell us what year C4 you want help with, they are not made all alike! Furthermore, what do you mean by, "..it still won't start"? Do you mean the starter cranks the engine but the engine won't catch and run or that the starter will not crank the engine? For the starter to crank, the starter solenoid has to close, do you hear a click from the starter solenoid? If not, it could be VATS, or it could be a defective gear safety switch. If no click, remove the console cover and unplug the gear safety switch at the base of the gear lever and jump the wiring harness plug and measure the voltage across the jumper when you hit crank position. If you have 12v and no click or cranking, then you have either a bad battery or battery connection or a defective starter solenoid or starter motor. If you jump 12v to the jumper, the starter should crank. If no 12v then VATS is suspect. Remove the kick panel above the drivers feet and locate the 2 wires from above the steering column that go to a 2 pin connector and unplug them. Insert key and measure the resistance across the wires from the steering column. It should measure the same value as the pellet in the ign key. If more than 4% from the pellet, or over 13k ohms, you have defective contacts in the ign lock that make connection to the key pellet. You can temporarily bypass VATS (depending on what year C4) by connecting a resistor the same value as your pellet across the 2 pin socket from the wiring harness (goes to the VATS module). You can use a 1/4 watt 5% resistor or several in series or parallel from Radio Shack to get the correct value (must be less than 4% from pellet value). Don't permanently bypass VATS because 99% of thefts are done by bashing the column and jumping the ignition. I've typed this over 300 times and you could have found it if you used the search function at the top of your screen.
If you guys had done some research first, you would have seen he has only posted one and probably did not see the search button.And probably thought all vettes are the same.
Fill out your profile so when you post, other members can help you better. If you are wanting help, it is always best to put a year and if tranny related the type of tranny(auto, stick).
