Help with starter problems......
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Are you the bug or are you the windshield.....
Help with starter problems......
About a month ago, I put a new starter on my 1986 L98 stock motor. Last Saturday after a 50 minute drive down the interstate to Lincoln the car would not start when we got out of the store.
On Tuesday, I put a new starter (thank goodness for a lifetime waranty) on, and made a trip to Lincoln again today. Went to the same store, but when I came out the car started. Drove the car across town (20 minutes - 10 miles) to the gas station. Filled up and the car would not start - no click nothing.
After 30-40 minutes the tow truck showed up, and took the car to my parents house in Lincoln, and after he left I thought I would try to start the car, and what do you know - it started.
Seems as though when the engine cooled off the starter works. I have heard of heat soak, but not really sure what it is. Could that be the problem here??? If so, how do you fix it???
Any other suggestions????
On Tuesday, I put a new starter (thank goodness for a lifetime waranty) on, and made a trip to Lincoln again today. Went to the same store, but when I came out the car started. Drove the car across town (20 minutes - 10 miles) to the gas station. Filled up and the car would not start - no click nothing.
After 30-40 minutes the tow truck showed up, and took the car to my parents house in Lincoln, and after he left I thought I would try to start the car, and what do you know - it started.
Seems as though when the engine cooled off the starter works. I have heard of heat soak, but not really sure what it is. Could that be the problem here??? If so, how do you fix it???
Any other suggestions????
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln NE
Re: Help with starter problems...... (Husker Vette)
I don't know about the starter problem, but I was born and raised in Lincoln and my parents still live there, I own a 1986 Vette, and my name is Todd too.
Isn't that wierd?
As for the starter, I had a similar problem on another car that turned out to be a loose connection at the solenoid. Or it could be an intermittent problem that's exacerbated by heat soak.
[Modified by ToddAT, 5:26 PM 10/19/2001]
Isn't that wierd?
As for the starter, I had a similar problem on another car that turned out to be a loose connection at the solenoid. Or it could be an intermittent problem that's exacerbated by heat soak.
[Modified by ToddAT, 5:26 PM 10/19/2001]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 765
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Re: Help with starter problems...... (Husker Vette)
I don't think that it was your starter. I would bet that it is your VATS system disabling your car. If you don't hear a clicking noise or see any drain on your voltage meter, you aren't getting any juice to your starter.
I don't know if you are familiar with the VATS, but if the little black resistor pellet in your ign key is not contacting correctly in your column, it will not let the starter turn over. This is a known PITA on early C4s. Try keeping a different ign key with you or in your car and try it when your key doesn't work; just remember to wait the 2 minutes between tries to let the VATS re-arm itself. In the future, have your VATS disabled or bypassed with a harness plug-in. Also, you can shake the Sh@# out of the steering wheel and column and sometimes it helps contact the pellet; just don't go too crazy and break something, but at least you get some agression out when you are stranded somewhere waiting for the tow truck:) Good luck.
I don't know if you are familiar with the VATS, but if the little black resistor pellet in your ign key is not contacting correctly in your column, it will not let the starter turn over. This is a known PITA on early C4s. Try keeping a different ign key with you or in your car and try it when your key doesn't work; just remember to wait the 2 minutes between tries to let the VATS re-arm itself. In the future, have your VATS disabled or bypassed with a harness plug-in. Also, you can shake the Sh@# out of the steering wheel and column and sometimes it helps contact the pellet; just don't go too crazy and break something, but at least you get some agression out when you are stranded somewhere waiting for the tow truck:) Good luck.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,419
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From: Are you the bug or are you the windshield.....
Re: Help with starter problems...... (lowflyer)
Lowflyer,
Thanks for the input, I completely forgot about the VATS, and was quick to pass judgement on the Starter. I am going to attempt to pull codes on my car today. If it was the Vats then it should have thrown a code.
Thanks again.
Thanks for the input, I completely forgot about the VATS, and was quick to pass judgement on the Starter. I am going to attempt to pull codes on my car today. If it was the Vats then it should have thrown a code.
Thanks again.
- 1986 Original Owner -
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 3,193
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From: North Yorkshire, England
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Re: Help with starter problems...... (Husker Vette)
If it was the Vats then it should have thrown a code.
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c4/rayquayle/vats/vats.htm
Good luck.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 573
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From: Cowpens SC
Re: Help with starter problems...... (Ray Quayle)
I've had 2 '87s and they both left my stranded several times. If I'm not mistaken there was a problem with the VATS on the early C4s. I don't think you'll get a code because the computer doesn't see anything wrong with the VATS itself, just not the right inputs. Also, I bought a new key and it didn't help.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
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From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Help with starter problems...... (Husker Vette)
If the start solenoid doesn't click and the start enable relay doesn't click (behind the center of the dash), then you probably have a problem with the contacts in the ign sw that connect to the pellet in your ign key. However, first jump the clutch switch, or if an auto, jump the xmisn selector switch. If no start, try your spare ign key. You can prove its the ign sw by unplugging the 2 pin connector at the base of the steering column and with the key in place , measure the resistance at the column wires (not the ones going to passenger side). The resistance should be the same as the pellet and if its over 10k ohms, then you need a new ign sw. You can put a fixed resistor on the wires going to the passenger side (VATS module) the same value as the pellet and the VATS will be bypassed. Don't do this permanently because your vette can easily be stolen by bashing your column and jumping the ignition. Get a new ign sw as soon as possible and retain theft protection.
