C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

No start condition on '94 Coupe..

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Old Apr 22, 2005 | 08:52 AM
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Default No start condition on '94 Coupe..

I did a search but didn't come across anything that addressed directly my problem.

Yesterday, I was about to leave the office and the PKE does it's thing, unlocking the door. I hop in, clutch down, turn key. No go. Nothing. No click or anything. I checked the volts and it read 12.4v. All the warning lights pop on, the dash lights up just fine.

I let it sit about 20 minutes and it started fine, and a couple of time after that as well.

Fast forward to this morning, same thing. Frustrating!

My intial thought is that it could be related to the anti-theft system, as I know those have been problematic in the past. Any suggestions on troubleshooting?

I have the service manual, but between the combination of being frustrated and needing to get on my way to the office, I forgot to grab it.

Thanks gang!
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Old Apr 22, 2005 | 01:57 PM
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make sure your key isn't worn out.

also, pull codes from the CCM. That will tell you a lot. Do you have a Helm manual? If not, you do need one. Debugging these cars without one is nearly impossible. www.helminc.com
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Old Apr 22, 2005 | 02:42 PM
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I don't think the key is worn out.

I had a new key made at the Chevrolet dealer a few weeks ago, and I tried that key also this morning. No go in either instance. The car is sitting in the garage now and the more I think about it the madder I get.

I do have the factory service manual, all 1800 pages of it. I'm going to begin pouring through it tonight.

I haven't pulled any codes yet. I need to do that also. I know I'll get one for the aftermarket radio that's in there, but anything else, I guess that will point me in the right direction.

Is there an easy way to pull the codes out of the car? I'm familiar with the procedure from my '86 and '89, but I haven't looked into it on the '94 yet, and I'm not sure if it's the same or not.

Thanks bogus!
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Old Apr 22, 2005 | 03:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Gixster
Is there an easy way to pull the codes out of the car? I'm familiar with the procedure from my '86 and '89, but I haven't looked into it on the '94 yet, and I'm not sure if it's the same or not.
Piece of cake. Get a large paperclip. Bend in a big "U" shape (I keep one in the glove box).

Under the driver side dash, there's a 16pin connector. With the key off, plug the paperclip into pin 4 & 8 (they are the only 2 pins populated in the middle of the connector that are one above the other).

Get a piece of paper and pencil. Turn key to ignition but do not start. The codes will begin begin spewing in the speedometer display. There are 4 sets of codes (ECM. CCM, ABS & A/C(I think)). You should get a code 12 first, this is normal serial bus communications.

You can manually scrool through the codes with the keys on the right of the display. 1 goes computer to computer, 1 goes through the selected computer, it's been awhile, but I think the bottom ones go thorugh sub codes. It's pretty obvious when you start working it.

When done, turn the key off and don't forget to pull the paperclip.
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Old Apr 22, 2005 | 05:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Gixster
I don't think the key is worn out.

I had a new key made at the Chevrolet dealer a few weeks ago, and I tried that key also this morning. No go in either instance. The car is sitting in the garage now and the more I think about it the madder I get.

I do have the factory service manual, all 1800 pages of it. I'm going to begin pouring through it tonight.

I haven't pulled any codes yet. I need to do that also. I know I'll get one for the aftermarket radio that's in there, but anything else, I guess that will point me in the right direction.

Is there an easy way to pull the codes out of the car? I'm familiar with the procedure from my '86 and '89, but I haven't looked into it on the '94 yet, and I'm not sure if it's the same or not.

Thanks bogus!
gixter - email me. abbogus@yahoo.com
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Old Apr 22, 2005 | 06:59 PM
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Thanks for the email Bogus!

Ok, here's what I came up with. I'm a little confused as the codes are preceeded by letters, and those aren't mentioned in the service manual.

Anyway, here's what I got. *grumble*

C72. Expected this one. Aftermarket stereo dealio.

H51. Invalid Key Detection. Ugh.

H53. Pass Key - Key Detection Circuit Open

H72. No clue. the letters are throwing me off.

Suggestions or comments? When I got home, the thing started fine.
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Old Apr 22, 2005 | 08:09 PM
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Default My '90 did the same thing

I had the same problem with my '90. I ended up having the anti theft system worked on by a Chev dealer (expensive). It's been fine ever since.
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Old Apr 22, 2005 | 08:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Gixster
Thanks for the email Bogus!

Ok, here's what I came up with. I'm a little confused as the codes are preceeded by letters, and those aren't mentioned in the service manual.

Anyway, here's what I got. *grumble*

C72. Expected this one. Aftermarket stereo dealio.

H51. Invalid Key Detection. Ugh.

H53. Pass Key - Key Detection Circuit Open

H72. No clue. the letters are throwing me off.

Suggestions or comments? When I got home, the thing started fine.
I think the letter H means it's a code that came up in the past the the C means its a current one.

Maybe you should check your ignition tumbler for your problem.
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Old Apr 22, 2005 | 09:49 PM
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You have a worn ign tumbler, actually the contacts in the tumbler that make with the key pellet are worn. Have the dealer replace the tumbler after explaining your VATS problem. Don't know about the 94, but my 87 has two white wires from the steering column (remove the hush panel above driver's feet) that go to a 2 pin connector. Unplug the connector and measure the resistance across the wires from the column with your key inserted in the ign. It should measure the same resistance as the pellet and if over 13k ohms, you need a new ign tumbler. You can temporarily bypass VATS by connecting a fixed resistor (5% 1/4 watt from Radio Shack) the same value as your pellet, within 5% across the wires that go into the harness (these go to the VATS module). Don't permanently bypass VATS because 99% of thefts are done by bashing the column and jumping the ignition.
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Old Apr 23, 2005 | 08:41 AM
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Thanks for the replies guys!

It started just fine yesterday and every time I tried after that.

It sounds like the tumbler might just be the problem, but it's intermittent for now.

That gives me time to figure out how to go about gettin' the column tore apart and replace it. Not sure if it's something I can do or if if's a dealer job just because of the air bag. I've tore apart plenty of steering columns, but never with an air bag.
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