Is this normal?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: St Louis MO
Is this normal?
Ok, how about this - (now, I'm new to corvettes and this car specifically, so be gentle) 
When I drive with the headlights on and then park, I can turn the ignition off and pull out the key while the engine still runs. The engine will stay running until I turn the headlights off - then it shuts down. Now, while the key is out of the ignition but the motor and lights are still on, I can open the doors and the engine stays running. I haven't tried shifting out of park yet, so I don't know if that's possible.
Do all C4s/'Vettes do this? Is this a remnant of a remote start system? Bad wiring, etc.?
I haven't had this car long and don't know many details of it's past, but I've never owned a car that did THIS!
When I drive with the headlights on and then park, I can turn the ignition off and pull out the key while the engine still runs. The engine will stay running until I turn the headlights off - then it shuts down. Now, while the key is out of the ignition but the motor and lights are still on, I can open the doors and the engine stays running. I haven't tried shifting out of park yet, so I don't know if that's possible.
Do all C4s/'Vettes do this? Is this a remnant of a remote start system? Bad wiring, etc.?
I haven't had this car long and don't know many details of it's past, but I've never owned a car that did THIS!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: St Louis MO
Wow! Thanks guys, glad I asked about it. It sounds like I should investigate this, pronto. 
They key is tight when in the tumbler. It's only when the ignition is in the off position and the key is removed normally that I experience this.
Does anyone have any guess how the headlight circuit and engine cutoff/ignition circuit could get intermingled? I guess I need to get my hands on a wiring diagram and take a voltmeter to the system.
Does anyone have any guess how the headlight circuit and engine cutoff/ignition circuit could get intermingled? I guess I need to get my hands on a wiring diagram and take a voltmeter to the system.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 41
Likes: 13
Pull down the hush panel and take a look. Good Luck.
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '13
Yes thats perfectly normal. In fact cars today dont even have keys, just key fobs and ignition. C4's were ground breaking in this technology, first designing an ignition that could work with the key removed. I recommend trying while driving down the road.
Seriously thats not nirmal for any car. It needs attention. No telling what will happen if the issue goes unresolved and progresses into something even more dangerous.
Seriously thats not nirmal for any car. It needs attention. No telling what will happen if the issue goes unresolved and progresses into something even more dangerous.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: St Louis MO
Yes thats perfectly normal. In fact cars today dont even have keys, just key fobs and ignition. C4's were ground breaking in this technology, first designing an ignition that could work with the key removed. I recommend trying while driving down the road.
I'm not sure about trying this while I'm going down the road... but, I did try the "shift out of park" experiment when I got back from lunch: no dice. Everything is locked up tight (steering, trans, brakes, etc. behave as if the engine were off).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
Likes: 49
From: Houston Texas
When I say ignition I'm not talking about the lock cylinder. I'm talking about the actual electrical switch that controls whether the car is on, off, or in ACC mode. When there is trouble with the switch pretty funny things can happen. This switch is responsible for directing power etc.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 3
From: Granada Hills CA
St. Louis is a big city, maybe you guys have a local swap meet where these vendors go.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
headlights
Sounds like the remote start is messed up.
There has to be a module that lets the engine starrt with no key. the module has to have a lights on function for newer cars with daylight driving lights.
Since we don't have this, the module might keep the ignition running thinking it is the light wire if it is hooked up wrong.
That's probably the wrong application for the remote start kit.
There has to be a module that lets the engine starrt with no key. the module has to have a lights on function for newer cars with daylight driving lights.
Since we don't have this, the module might keep the ignition running thinking it is the light wire if it is hooked up wrong.
That's probably the wrong application for the remote start kit.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: St Louis MO
Thanks for the tip about corvette swap meets, I wouldn't've thought of that. A vendor responded to my post in the parts forum - $85 shipped for a slightly used one (looks in great shape). That one doesn't come with the electrical diagnosis supplement though. Not sure what I'll do...
This weekend was too busy anyway with family in town. I won't have a chance to look at the car until next weekend at the earliest. I'll update when I know more.
This weekend was too busy anyway with family in town. I won't have a chance to look at the car until next weekend at the earliest. I'll update when I know more.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
From: Daytona Beach Florida
I don't know how it's done... But some of the cruisers in our fleet ... Have something installed... That as long as the headlights are on the car will remain running... ( lets you keep everything on without having to watch the vehicle) ..You can't drive or rev it unless you put the key in...
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 3
From: Granada Hills CA
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
When I say ignition I'm not talking about the lock cylinder. I'm talking about the actual electrical switch that controls whether the car is on, off, or in ACC mode. When there is trouble with the switch pretty funny things can happen. This switch is responsible for directing power etc.
