No start, where should I start?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 588
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Fl
No start, where should I start?
Hello all, I got in my 'vette on Wednesday and she didn't start for me. The car was fine last weekend, no issues whatsoever, but today no workey. When I put the key in and try to start it I don't get any noise at all (no noticeable relay click, no starter whine, just nothing...). Could this be VATS or the starter solenoid? Starter? 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 980
Likes: 2
From: Chandler AZ
Mine 90 did that once
I tried the battery connections, spare key and jump starting. Still no noise. Turned out it WAS a VATS error. Try unlocking the drivers door using the key. That's what did it for me.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 94
From: Westfield MA
It could be VATS or it could be battery connections or a neutral/clutch switch or battery or starter or starter enable relay or maybe a few things i missed. First check is to turn the lights on and see if they dim when you try to start, if they do not, then there is no contact being made with the starter. If they do dim, then the battery is not doing its job or the connectiosn are bad. If the lights do not go dim, you can start tracing power back from the solenoid to the neutral/clutch switch to the starter enable relay to the ignition switch. I am saying all this from memory, so I may be missing something.
Of course cleaning the battery terminals like was suggested is always a good idea too. Trouble shooting VATs problems can be apain becasuse if it is the contacts in your ignition switch, the problem will likely be intermittant. Try cleaning the key real good and see if it works, just remember that yu have to wait like 4 minutes to try it again.
Of course cleaning the battery terminals like was suggested is always a good idea too. Trouble shooting VATs problems can be apain becasuse if it is the contacts in your ignition switch, the problem will likely be intermittant. Try cleaning the key real good and see if it works, just remember that yu have to wait like 4 minutes to try it again.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 588
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Fl
The battery seems to be ok, its brand new (only about a month old). The lights do turn out after a few mins when the door is closed and the battery meter stays at a constant ~12 - 14vdc when I start it and all. I've had a couple issues with my VATS before, thats why I suspect it. It has acted up a few times, but never for this long. I always use my door key to open my car because of this (the crazy thing is that it goes off if you close the passenger door before the drivers door and haven't started the car yet). Anyone know the resistance of the resistor I need to disable VATS and how I hook it up?
*edit* The lights and everything dim as normal when I try to start it.
*edit* The lights and everything dim as normal when I try to start it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 980
Likes: 2
From: Chandler AZ
Hmmmm
If the lights dim it may not indicate a VATS issue. I wonder if Mr. Starter solenoid went south. Give it a slight tap with a small mallet while someone turns the key for you. Just a guess.
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
If VATS turns out to be your issue...
There are 15 different resistors. yoy will need a multimeter to read the resistance of your pellet.
If you search the tech performance section there was a post on VATS bypass procedure in the past month or so.
There are 15 different resistors. yoy will need a multimeter to read the resistance of your pellet.
If you search the tech performance section there was a post on VATS bypass procedure in the past month or so.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 61
Likes: 6
From: Gilbert Arizona
I just had that problem
Your problem sounds like what happened to me just about a week ago. Everything was fine then I didn't drive it for a few days and when I went to start it nothing. I tried all the stuff mentioned and nothing happened. Finally i just replaced my starter figuring that had to be the problem. And now it runs like a charm so you might want to do that. Good luck
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Snohomish WA
If the lights dim when you turn the key to start I doubt it's your VATS. When my ing lock cyl went bad (Vats could not read key) the light intensity stayed the same when I would turn the key to start. If your lights are dimming it would suggest that the starter is drawing current so the start signal would apper to be geeting to it, just not starting once it's there. 
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 588
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Fl
GOT IT! Damn that VATS! Saved myself $147 by buying a multimeter, 3 packs of resistors, and a roll of electrical tape. I read the resistance of the VATS circuit just behind the steering wheel with the key in and it was open (the circuit is 2 white wires coming from the steering column going to a brown and brown/white wire to the VATS). I used a tech tip to find the proper resistances for the key and went back to Radio Shack. 3 packs of resistors later (wanted to be exact) the car started. If this problem comes up, just find your key's resistance, buy the resistors that add up to your key's resistance, twist the leads together in series and use that circuit to connect the brown wire to the brown/white wire.