STARTING PROBLEM....THOUGHTS???
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Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Le Claire Ia
STARTING PROBLEM....THOUGHTS???
It appears that I am have an oncoming problem in starting my '92 LT1. If the car has been sitting for 24-hours, or more, I merely get a click sound when I first turn the key. This happens a couple of times and then the starter spins at normal speed and fires the engine. If I have driven the car, shut it off and then restart it, this does not manifest itself. Even if it sits several hours, it does not do it. The battery is new this year. The cables are tight at the battery. I have not crawled underneath to check the cable tightness at the starter. My first thought is the solonoid.
Any further ideas from the members will be much appreciated.
Any further ideas from the members will be much appreciated.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 369
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From: Pine Bluff Arkansas
Re: STARTING PROBLEM....THOUGHTS??? (tcarroll)
After batteling the click problem for 3 months, I replaced the solenoid, no more problems. After you chech every thing else out, however.
:cheers:
:cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
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From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: STARTING PROBLEM....THOUGHTS??? (tcarroll)
Where is the click coming from? If from the center of the dash, then your VATS relay is working and the starter solenoid is not. What does the dash voltmeter read in the start position? A resistance connection on the batt cables will not allow enough current to flow to spin the starter, and will cause low voltage reading (lower than 9 volts).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,209
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From: Toronto Ontario
St. Jude Donor '13
Re: STARTING PROBLEM....THOUGHTS??? (tcarroll)
VATS,
Vehicle Anti-Theft System.
The little pellet in your key is a resistor with a matched resistance to the vats system on the car. When the two come together in the ignition cylinder,the car can be started.
The vats systems has been famous for leaving people stranded. It can be disabled though.
Vehicle Anti-Theft System.
The little pellet in your key is a resistor with a matched resistance to the vats system on the car. When the two come together in the ignition cylinder,the car can be started.
The vats systems has been famous for leaving people stranded. It can be disabled though.
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Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Le Claire Ia
Re: STARTING PROBLEM....THOUGHTS??? (89'Bowtie)
Thanks for helping on my Vette learning curve. Ah, for the days when automobles were simple to diagnose and work on.
If it comes to disablling the VATS, can you explain the procedure?
If it comes to disablling the VATS, can you explain the procedure?
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 317
Likes: 42
From: Chicago, Illinois
Re: STARTING PROBLEM....THOUGHTS??? (tcarroll)
I just had the same symptoms on my 91 exactly. If it sat overnight, just a few clicks and then it would turn normal and turn over. If out driving, no problem. You will find that it will get worse and worse. Pulled and replaced the starter and no problem now. Make the change before you get stranded.
Good luck
Good luck
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
From: glendale Arizona
Re: STARTING PROBLEM....THOUGHTS??? (tcarroll)
I have replaced my starter,gotten a heat blanket,new positive cable,battery in great shape,14 amps off of altinator,bypassed vats, and still when the motor gets warm 180+ and I shut it off after a few minutes all I get is a click from the solenoid, have to wait for temperature to come down,sometimes up to 2 hours and then it turns over and starts instantly, I have given up and am thinking about selling my 89 blk roadster, I HAVE HAD IT.
:U :U :U :U :U
:U :U :U :U :U
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 413
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From: glendale Arizona
Re: STARTING PROBLEM....THOUGHTS??? (tcarroll)
I have this weeks starter in my 89 roadster with heat blanket on it and still doesn't work, gets hot and sit, im done with it all, my 3rd gen twin turbo rx7 setting in the garage next to my vert in the garage always spins over no matter how hot it gets,maybe sometimes the rice grinders do have better equipment.
:U
:U
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: STARTING PROBLEM....THOUGHTS??? (traxx1)
traxx1, When the starter is hot and won't crank, get the garden hose out and cool off the starter and see if it will start . What temperature is the case of the starter when it will no longer crank? We all have hot starters but we do not have starters that refuse to crank when they are hot. When you measure the temperature , we will have an idea if your starter is normal or if something else is going on. Don't give up!! Does the start solenoid actuate when it is hot?
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 413
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From: glendale Arizona
Re: STARTING PROBLEM....THOUGHTS??? (jfb)
The starter selonoid clicks in when the starter is hot you can definately hear that but starter refuses to still turn over until cool, have heat blanket on it so this should repell all heat up to 1500 degrees, can't use water because of blanket and the pre cats are gutted so there isn't a lot of heat comeing from them, I HAVE HAD IT.
:U :U :U :U :U
:U :U :U :U :U
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: STARTING PROBLEM....THOUGHTS??? (traxx1)
I know you have spent time,money, labor and are really discouraged because all the things you did was a logical fix. However, if you can confirm the temperature that the starter quits, you can find out from GM if they agree that the starter SHOULD stop. If so, the source of heat is likely the exhaust and that can be rerouted. If not, then you are working on the wrong problem and you are going to have to do some experiments to find out why the solenoid activates and the motor doesn't. If you want to keep working on the problem, I am ready to make some suggestions to get to the bottom of the real problem.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,722
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From: Big D Tx
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: STARTING PROBLEM....THOUGHTS???
if the problem was VATS, you wouldnt be able to start the car for 3 minutes from the previous failed key chip check. if you are able to turn the key numerous times in a row and it goes: click, click, click, then it starts after a few tries its your solenoid more than likely.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,618
Likes: 5
From: Overland Park KS
Re: STARTING PROBLEM....THOUGHTS??? (tcarroll)
I had a similar problem over a several month period. Just got worse and worse and eventually began to occur when I let the car sit a couple hours vs. overnight. Overnight, it would take 35-40 tries to get it to start. I would just get one click, volts looked good etc.... Replaced starter and no problems since.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
From: glendale Arizona
Re: STARTING PROBLEM....THOUGHTS??? (KCvetteowner)
I have tried everything, VATS has been bypassed, new starter has a 1500 degree heat shield on it, new positive cable,checked all grounds,last starter installed 1 week ago, today ran up too 202 degrees, sat for 30 minutes and wouldn't start, could hear solonoid clicking in but it wouldn't start, I HAVE GIVEN UP, car will be for sale as soon as it cools off in Phoenix and someone else can screw with the problem.
:U :U traxx1 :U :U
:U :U traxx1 :U :U
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,474
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From: alexandria LA
Re: STARTING PROBLEM....THOUGHTS??? (traxx1)
How much do you want for that POS? :lol: You say the battery is good, have you tried a new one? Just a thought if I had put more than one starter on a car with the same problem I would go to the battery next. They can do some strange things too. Don't give up man, if I was not so far off I would offer to help. :rolleyes:
