First Let me start by saying that this is an internittent problem, sometimes will start 5 out of 5 times and othes 4 out of 5. I have all the diagrams and the ignition layout, and have tested everything. starting from turning the key to the starter enabeler relay to the neutral safety switch, and the vats. It has a remote start on it. Sometimes it starts and others it dont. What is definetely known is that the voltage at the solenoid is low like 8volts but there is 12 volts to the starter. The started and the Solenoid were tested and were perfect. The battery is new and is holding a charge perfectly. Whats happens is when you put the jey in and turn all guages and lights and everything work and when you turn the key you can hear the starter enabeler relay clicking, tried starting in neutral, and nothing. What does work is after say sitting 2 or 3 hours it starts, or when you jump the car with another running vehicle it goes. So the only thing that i have not replaced yet is the Ignition module. So does anyone got any insight on how to get me up and running right? Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

So is the engine cranking over with the starter? Or is the starter cranking over and the engine not starting at times?

 

NO START NO CLICK NO NOTHING. ALL of the Pre system kicks in but no start, no turn over or nothing.

 

A couple of things come to mind, solenoid and VATS.

Aproach them one at a time. If it is the solenoid, or connection on it, you will have a current draw but no crankie. I have had this on a couple of my GM cars.

If it is VATS, try getting out and ulocking the drivers door. See if it cranks. I know it sounds silly but just try it. My 90 did that once in a while and some one on the forum suggested it to me.

BTW as for being a Corvette Genius, not eve close here.


Luck,

 

If you have 12 volts at the starter and only 8 at the solenoid, then there is a 4 volt drop somewhere? How is that connection made? I would think your problem will be solved when you find the 4 volt drop?
My 93 uses the small gear reduction drive starter, I don't know what the starter on your car is?

 

That wire to the solenoid is what activates what is "sort of" a relay that engages the starter. The 4 volt drop is likely occuring at a bad connection in the wire (splice, melted jacket, etc..) or bad connection. When the solenoid is activated, I bet that the voltage is even lower than before, therfore the current can not pull the relay "in".

 

Definitly a wire issue. where is the wire to the solenoid coming from? What is the voltage at the other end?

 

It is probably a good idea to pull the starter and have it bench tested. We have seen C4s with enough starter solenoid draw to melt wiring and or cause problems in either the neutral safety switch or the starter enable relay. Typically it all starts with a defective starter solenoid or starter.

 

I have similar issue. it seems like it takes A LOT of juice to start the motor but mostly when all lights are working and i try to start it, i here a loud clicking from the starter and no crank...does this mean it's a bad starter??

 

The clicking is most likely the starter solenoid not getting enough voltage (amps) to keep it closed. Caused by low battery or poor connection to the battery. Disconnect the battery, do a load test on the battery, if O.K. check wiring connections.

 

I had a similar problem with my 96 LT1.

Occasionally I'd turn the key and nothing; no click from the solenoid, engine would not turn over; absolutely NOTHING.

Other times it would instantly start on the first turn of the key. Brand new battery and still intermittent no crank/turn over. I bought a brand new battery not so much because I was thinking that mine was failing, but because I was in Texas and about to head up to Indiana in the DEAD OF WINTER and wanted more CC amps.

I considered the chip in the key, VATS, wiring, battery, etc.

I then suspected starter solenoid so I bought and installed a new starter. BINGO!! Not a single problem since and that was more than three months ago. Even when it was Below ZERO here in Indiana, engine started instantly.

Hope this helps.

Jake

 

I Had The Same Problem And It Almost Drove Nuts! It Was A Weak Starter When Replaced No More Problems!!!!