1988 Corvette Starting Problem
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6th Gear
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1988 Corvette Starting Problem
My dad has a 1988 Z52 vette with the L98, about a month ago, a little less, he couldn't get it to start. He'd turn the key and all of the dash lights come on, but it won't turn over. He let it sit for a little while and it started right up and hasn't had an issue with it up until a few days ago where it did it again.
He just had the alternator and battery replaced, and he says that ever since he's had it he had to turn the key harder than normal in order for it to start.
It's just been those two times he had trouble, he let it sit for a bit, than it starts and runs fine. He thinks that it might be the starter, any ideas?
He just had the alternator and battery replaced, and he says that ever since he's had it he had to turn the key harder than normal in order for it to start.
It's just been those two times he had trouble, he let it sit for a bit, than it starts and runs fine. He thinks that it might be the starter, any ideas?
Team Owner
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Nowhere has miles been mentioned. '88 is the first year for the compact starter motor and even though it certainly doesn't hint a starter problem the miles might hint do a refresh of the starter (not the purchase of a new if it's the OE).
It's also not mentioned if the car is an A4 or an M4+3 so the diagnostics for a "no crank" are different. I don't know that I'd rush to assume VATS but if you have a second key I'd try it. I wouldn't just buy another without doing some diagnostics UNLESS you only have a single key then you've sufficient reason anyway to justify the buy.
I WOULD NOT RUSH TO REPLACING ANY PARTICULAR COMPONENT YET!
It's also not mentioned if the car is an A4 or an M4+3 so the diagnostics for a "no crank" are different. I don't know that I'd rush to assume VATS but if you have a second key I'd try it. I wouldn't just buy another without doing some diagnostics UNLESS you only have a single key then you've sufficient reason anyway to justify the buy.
I WOULD NOT RUSH TO REPLACING ANY PARTICULAR COMPONENT YET!
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2015
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1988 Corvette Starting Problem
I'm terribly sorry, I didn't even think to mention those things. I don't have an exact number at the moment, but it is in the mid to high 40,000 mile range, and the car is an automatic.
I'll have him check the keys, I was wondering if it could be VATS because I had the problem on my 99 Camaro. If it is VATS is it as simple of a fix to bypass it with resistors? That's what I had I do on my car, but I don't know how similar they are having an 11 year difference.
What exactly do you mean by refreshing the starter, like rebuild it? Clean it up some? Before coming here I asked on another forum I'm apart of to see if anyone had any ideas and one of the members suggested it could be the ignition switch or the metal rod going from the switch to the key lock cylinder could be bent. Could this be a valid cause for not starting as well?
I'll have him check the keys, I was wondering if it could be VATS because I had the problem on my 99 Camaro. If it is VATS is it as simple of a fix to bypass it with resistors? That's what I had I do on my car, but I don't know how similar they are having an 11 year difference.
What exactly do you mean by refreshing the starter, like rebuild it? Clean it up some? Before coming here I asked on another forum I'm apart of to see if anyone had any ideas and one of the members suggested it could be the ignition switch or the metal rod going from the switch to the key lock cylinder could be bent. Could this be a valid cause for not starting as well?
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6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2015
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1988 Corvette Starting Problem
I'm sorry for the double post, but I should also mention that the car has a rebuild title. It was wrecked before he got it, so we don't have details on where it was wrecked and how extensive the damage was.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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I'll have him check the keys, I was wondering if it could be VATS because I had the problem on my 99 Camaro. If it is VATS is it as simple of a fix to bypass it with resistors? That's what I had I do on my car, but I don't know how similar they are having an 11 year difference.
What exactly do you mean by refreshing the starter, like rebuild it? Clean it up some? Before coming here I asked on another forum I'm apart of to see if anyone had any ideas and one of the members suggested it could be the ignition switch or the metal rod going from the switch to the key lock cylinder could be bent. Could this be a valid cause for not starting as well?
What exactly do you mean by refreshing the starter, like rebuild it? Clean it up some? Before coming here I asked on another forum I'm apart of to see if anyone had any ideas and one of the members suggested it could be the ignition switch or the metal rod going from the switch to the key lock cylinder could be bent. Could this be a valid cause for not starting as well?
Refresh - if it's the original starter I'd prefer a refresh/rebuild of it local before an over the counter purchase. If it's not original well ....
VATS is a maybe and if it's actually not already bypassed it seems you understand the procedure.
If you tilt the column or have the travel feature closer to the driver or further away does it make the turn of the cylinder easier? I'd check that maybe. That would hint an upper column pinion/rack problem.
Last edited by WVZR-1; Aug 18, 2015 at 10:42 AM.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
1988 Corvette Starting Problem
Thank you very much for all of the help so far, I'll try to adjust the column and travel to see if that makes a difference. Would you happen to have a ballpark estimate if how much a refresh/ rebuild of the starter would cost? If it is the starter could this problem get worse if not delt with right away? And for checking the lower pinion what would I be looking for? I'm guessing I'd have I take the column apart? Would there be a diagram of what I'm looking for online?
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