Car does NOT start on random plz help
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
If it's not cranking and if there is no VATS and the problem is only after it's been run and warmed up, sounds like you need a new starter. Easiest to diagnose by checking for voltage at the solenoid with the key in the start position. Difficult of course, since you're probably rarely at home or have access to a garage when the problem occurs.
CF "Young" Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,034
Likes: 26
From: Cupertino CA
St. Jude Donor '12
Well, I just bit the bullet and scheduled to have my '86 checked out by a local chevy dealership next tuesday. I've gotten stuck one too many times at one too many inconvenient locations for me to be playing a guessing game with what's wrong with my ride. I'd much rather have someone else come back and tell me "It's fixed" so, should it happen again, I'm not scratching my head but beating theirs.
Of course, doing this has me rather peeved, as this pretty much means the money I'd set aside to get myself a new set of wheels is gonna be going into the dealership's pocket... but that's the price I'm going to have to pay for confidence that I won't have to deal with this anymore.
Of course, doing this has me rather peeved, as this pretty much means the money I'd set aside to get myself a new set of wheels is gonna be going into the dealership's pocket... but that's the price I'm going to have to pay for confidence that I won't have to deal with this anymore.
CF "Young" Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,034
Likes: 26
From: Cupertino CA
St. Jude Donor '12
Originally Posted by lite blue
Check the clutch switch. It's easy to jumper. Just use some fairly heavy guage wire.
On a somewhat lighter note, my parents offered to cover the cost of this fix as a christmas gift / payback for money they owe me. As they put it, they're giving me the "works option" for my vette for christmas.
CF "Young" Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,034
Likes: 26
From: Cupertino CA
St. Jude Donor '12
Well, just heard back from the dealership, their tech guys (much like I suspected) said it's "gotta be" the ignition switch and that I should get my ride back either friday or monday. A $250 fix (that I don't even have to pay for 
) and hopefully the end of all my woes (... well, most of them ). I'll be puttin this thing through its paces soon after I get it back... which means driving it hard to some remote location and seeing if it refuses to start back up.
) and hopefully the end of all my woes (... well, most of them ). I'll be puttin this thing through its paces soon after I get it back... which means driving it hard to some remote location and seeing if it refuses to start back up.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
From: Irwindale Ca
next your tumbler is gonna crack and you wont be able to turn the key. These vehicles are soo predictable but they do run forever. Put a aftermarket ignition switch in mine. Make sure it can carry quite a bit of amps. My first aftermarket ignition switch melted and left a stink in my vette for quite a while...ha 
ha...carry onn.
ha...carry onn.
CF "Young" Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,034
Likes: 26
From: Cupertino CA
St. Jude Donor '12
Originally Posted by madmike
next your tumbler is gonna crack and you wont be able to turn the key.
I trust the guys that are doing the work on my vette, and I believe they would have said "we also recommend replacing the ingition as well" if they felt it was necessary. I know some places (particularily dealerships) I've dealt with in the past would have jumped at the opportunity to toss a few hundred bucks more onto the bill just cause they could.
Originally Posted by madmike
These vehicles are soo predictable but they do run forever.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,361
Likes: 0
From: Downriver Mi.
Originally Posted by flaagan
Well, car's decided to not start on me three times in the past few weeks. Each time I was nowhere near any place I could test it (and one time had me roll-starting towards a cliff 
). However, it happened to me again today and, frustrated, I jammed the keys in the ignition and pushed in and over hard... and it started up... soooo this has got me thinking it could possibly be the ignition / tumblers or something in that area... but how exactly could I test this or have a dealership or the like test this area, seeing as it's in the column...?
). However, it happened to me again today and, frustrated, I jammed the keys in the ignition and pushed in and over hard... and it started up... soooo this has got me thinking it could possibly be the ignition / tumblers or something in that area... but how exactly could I test this or have a dealership or the like test this area, seeing as it's in the column...?
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 473
Likes: 8
From: Shreveport LA
I had the same problem once. Ended up that the sensor on my automatic shifter handle was slightly off center, causing the car to think it was in gear when it was actually in park. I had my transmission guy recheck the linkage and all has been well since.
CF "Young" Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,034
Likes: 26
From: Cupertino CA
St. Jude Donor '12
... they replace the switch, and still are having non-start issues... now they're checking out the rod that goes from the ignition (tumbler) to that switch... not pissed at them or anything, I just want my damn vette back 1) before everyone ditches for the holidays 2) before the weather turns to **** and I can't have a pleasant WOT drive around the area.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 445
Likes: 0
Don't think it is gonna be the rod...they can't bend nor break nor be adjusted. It MAY be adjustment of the new sw. to make the rod work correctly. If that is not the fix, try gently hitting the starter with a long thin steel rod...you can just get to it from the top, between the exh. man. and the heater & a/con. tubes. You may have to tap it a couple of times...if it starts, then it is sure a starter issue.
The reason I say this,...just seen this on two vettes in the last week..warm motor, no clicks..no start...hit the starter...starts!
Good luck..
The reason I say this,...just seen this on two vettes in the last week..warm motor, no clicks..no start...hit the starter...starts!
Good luck..
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
From: Irwindale Ca
good to have a trouble shoot starter button in the engine compartment to troubleshoot a bad starter. Wire fromt the batt to the button to the solenoid. If that doesnt work and the connections are clean. It is definitely the starter. Also good after a oil change to crank the engine for about 15 seconds to get the oil in the filter and fully charge the bone dry engine. Dont let those sDealers keep your car too long. A good trick is they say they are having trouble cuz they get paid by the hour. haha. Well good luck.. hope you get your vette by christmas.. be a nice present...keep vettin....
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Found this:
Service Bulletin Number: 87-140
Bulletin Sequence Number: 100
Date of Bulletin: 8705
NHTSA Item Number: 91757
Make: CHEVROLET
Model: CORVETTE
Year: 1987
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT
Summary: INTERMITTENT NO-START CONDITION CAUSED BY THE VEHICLE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM (VATS)-C AUSED BY A DAMAGED IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER OR DAMAGED RESISTOR PELLET INSIDE IGNI TION KEY-AN IMPROVED IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WITH A NARROWER KEYWAY AND AN IMPROV ED LONGER IGNITION KEY NOW AVAILABLE FROM GMSPO TO REPAIR CONDITION-LOCK CYLINDE R P/N 26008775-ALL 1986-1987 CHEVROLET CORVETTE MODELS
Service Bulletin Number: 87-140
Bulletin Sequence Number: 100
Date of Bulletin: 8705
NHTSA Item Number: 91757
Make: CHEVROLET
Model: CORVETTE
Year: 1987
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT
Summary: INTERMITTENT NO-START CONDITION CAUSED BY THE VEHICLE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM (VATS)-C AUSED BY A DAMAGED IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER OR DAMAGED RESISTOR PELLET INSIDE IGNI TION KEY-AN IMPROVED IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WITH A NARROWER KEYWAY AND AN IMPROV ED LONGER IGNITION KEY NOW AVAILABLE FROM GMSPO TO REPAIR CONDITION-LOCK CYLINDE R P/N 26008775-ALL 1986-1987 CHEVROLET CORVETTE MODELS
CF "Young" Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,034
Likes: 26
From: Cupertino CA
St. Jude Donor '12
I *know* you'll laugh at this... vette's back at the dealership with a no-start issue.... and yup.. the starter solenoid (as the mechanic put it) was cooked. Sooooo they're replacing the starter, double checking the other stuff they replaced before. Told 'em to save the old starter so I can go beat the guys at Napa Auto Parts over the head with it.
urg....
oh, and don't say "I told you so" cause the starter they're replacing is less than a few months old... and I've NEVER had a car starter go out like that.
urg....
oh, and don't say "I told you so" cause the starter they're replacing is less than a few months old... and I've NEVER had a car starter go out like that.
