'94 Won't Start!

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Nov 14, 2005 | 08:48 AM

cj's c4

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From: Auburn WA

'94 Won't Start!

I have a problem with my ’94 LT1/6M, and I wanted to get ideas on where to start to troubleshoot before giving up and sending it off to my local shop. Last week when I went to start the car, it initially tried to start and then it lost all battery power. No indicator lights, starter, nothing. I came back an hour later and she fired up immediately. No further problems until yesterday. I turned the key, immediately got indicator lights, and then nothing. It is as if the battery is attached to the car! My wife said that she heard a “small pop” before everything went dark. The battery is less than six months old and the connections appear clean and tight, with no signs of corrosion.

I know that I am asking a lot and giving little information to go on. I suspect a short or blown fuse, or even a bad or missing ground. I will take a look when I get home, and pull the battery and check the charge level. Where else should I begin to look? Is there one place that can kill all power throughout the car? I appreciate any assistance that the forum group has to offer.

Carl

Nov 14, 2005 | 01:53 PM

davethewave7

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Basicly the same thing happened to me not long ago.Made a quick stop between work and home and all of a sudden it just locked up.Low and behold all it was was the pass key fuse had blown.That's my best guess.

Nov 14, 2005 | 04:11 PM

cj's c4

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From: Auburn WA

Thanks for the starting point. Where is the fuse located? Since my wife thinks that she heard a pop, then should I assume that if it was a fuse that popped, it must be in the crew compartment?

Anyone else have an idea or opinion?

Nov 14, 2005 | 06:08 PM

z28cp

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From: Bellevue NE

If she heard a pop, I would bet that it is a bad connection at the battery. Pull the cable off and clean the connection. Just because it is tight, does not mean it is making good contact.

DaveZ.

Nov 15, 2005 | 03:08 AM

REDC4CORVETTE

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From: Lahaina Hi

Fusses are located on the pass side of the car .
When you open the pass door look at the side of the dash and you will see the fuss panel.
Under the hood is another set of fusses right next to the battery with a black cover over them.

Last edited by REDC4CORVETTE; Nov 15, 2005 at 03:12 AM.

Nov 15, 2005 | 09:52 AM

cj's c4

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From: Auburn WA

A brief update. Last evening I pulled the battery and the cables were not tight, but not overly loose either. I checked the charge on the battery and it was almost completely discharged. I suspect the cables not making adequate contact with the battery caused the slow discharge. I remembered last evening (old age kicking in) that the digital readout for voltage has been showing a fluctuation (14.2-15.2) when running for the past couple of weeks and I took little notice of it. Normally it reads a consistant 14.7-15.0. So I will finish charging the battery tonight, clean all cable ends and reinstall the battery. Hopefully that will solve the problem. I appreciate the help and hints from all who responded.

Nov 15, 2005 | 02:47 PM

JAKE

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From: Kempner Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by z28cp

If she heard a pop, I would bet that it is a bad connection at the battery. Pull the cable off and clean the connection. Just because it is tight, does not mean it is making good contact.

DaveZ.

That's where I'd hang my hat too.

Jake

Nov 16, 2005 | 08:02 AM

cj's c4

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From: Auburn WA

Just a final update on my misbehaving '94. I pulled and charged the battery and, while waiting, I checked all the fuses that I could find in the crew compartment and under the hood. All were fine and had no signs of corrosion. I cleaned the positive and negative battery cable ends and the battery terminals, and then reinstalled the battery. She fired right up and the system is producing the usual steady 14.8V (digital readout).

Thanks to the folks who responded and sent me down the correct path. It is nice to know that it isn't always something expensive that keeps the car off the road, and it is great to have a resource like Corvette Forum and its members.