87 Wont Start - Help!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 171
Likes: 1
From: west chester pennsylvania
87 Wont Start - Help!!
Hi everyone, im new here. Im 17 and just bought my first corvette, 87 coupe, blue on blue, 4+3 manual, z52, etc...
anyway, the other day i went out to start it and all the accs. turned on, so the batteries not dead, but the car wouldnt start, engine would not even make a noise.
i went online to find an answer, but never really got a straight one.
I tryed everything i could (dissconnecting battery, etc etc).
finally i just rolled it down my driveway and bump started it. drove it around the block, ran perfect. i brought the car home, turned it off, and fired it right back up. it started fine for the next 2 days, and now its doing it again.
ive noticed it likes to do it after im constantly opening/closing doors cleaning inside and stuff. so maybe its a security cut off? the security light is blinking on the screen. if so, how do i stop it? i cant always bump start the car.
please help.
anyway, the other day i went out to start it and all the accs. turned on, so the batteries not dead, but the car wouldnt start, engine would not even make a noise.
i went online to find an answer, but never really got a straight one.
I tryed everything i could (dissconnecting battery, etc etc).
finally i just rolled it down my driveway and bump started it. drove it around the block, ran perfect. i brought the car home, turned it off, and fired it right back up. it started fine for the next 2 days, and now its doing it again.
ive noticed it likes to do it after im constantly opening/closing doors cleaning inside and stuff. so maybe its a security cut off? the security light is blinking on the screen. if so, how do i stop it? i cant always bump start the car.
please help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,449
Likes: 344
From: SC
Check the battery! My 87 wouldn't start even with a jump, AND all my accessory lights were on also. Tested the battery and found bad cell. New battery and she fired right up! Check alternator also while at it.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: panama city beach Florida
Hi everyone, im new here. Im 17 and just bought my first corvette, 87 coupe, blue on blue, 4+3 manual, z52, etc...
anyway, the other day i went out to start it and all the accs. turned on, so the batteries not dead, but the car wouldnt start, engine would not even make a noise.
i went online to find an answer, but never really got a straight one.
I tryed everything i could (dissconnecting battery, etc etc).
finally i just rolled it down my driveway and bump started it. drove it around the block, ran perfect. i brought the car home, turned it off, and fired it right back up. it started fine for the next 2 days, and now its doing it again.
ive noticed it likes to do it after im constantly opening/closing doors cleaning inside and stuff. so maybe its a security cut off? the security light is blinking on the screen. if so, how do i stop it? i cant always bump start the car.
please help.
anyway, the other day i went out to start it and all the accs. turned on, so the batteries not dead, but the car wouldnt start, engine would not even make a noise.
i went online to find an answer, but never really got a straight one.
I tryed everything i could (dissconnecting battery, etc etc).
finally i just rolled it down my driveway and bump started it. drove it around the block, ran perfect. i brought the car home, turned it off, and fired it right back up. it started fine for the next 2 days, and now its doing it again.
ive noticed it likes to do it after im constantly opening/closing doors cleaning inside and stuff. so maybe its a security cut off? the security light is blinking on the screen. if so, how do i stop it? i cant always bump start the car.
please help.
David
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: panama city beach Florida
Its on the clutch pedal. there's a brake light switch, Cruise control vacuum switch and the starter safety switch. There all at the top of your clutch pedal. It should have purple wires going in and out of it.
David
David
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
I have an 87. DO NOT roll your 4+3, then pop the clutch to start your car except to save your life. I did this about two dozen times thinking I was saving my starter and I damaged the overdrive and had to have it overhauled.
The clutch safety switch is left of the clutch pedal and the wiring harness has a plug that connects to the switch. If you can't hear the starter solenoid click, then unplug the clutch safety switch and jump the wiring harness connector and try again. Also, I recommned that you remove your battery cables (neg first) and clean the cable lugs, bolts, and battery terminals and replace the cables (neg last). Starters draw 100+ amps and require a clean tight battery cable connection. You cannot see the connection quality by looking at the outside of the battery cable lugs, you have to remove them.
The clutch safety switch is left of the clutch pedal and the wiring harness has a plug that connects to the switch. If you can't hear the starter solenoid click, then unplug the clutch safety switch and jump the wiring harness connector and try again. Also, I recommned that you remove your battery cables (neg first) and clean the cable lugs, bolts, and battery terminals and replace the cables (neg last). Starters draw 100+ amps and require a clean tight battery cable connection. You cannot see the connection quality by looking at the outside of the battery cable lugs, you have to remove them.
Slingshot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
Starter ?
This exact problem occurred for me a few years back on my 86 roadster. I had to have the car towed to the stealership. Turned out that it was a bad (20 year old) starter. Replaced the starter for about $150 and everything was back to normal.
Research the procedure for jumping the starter and see if it will crank.
Research the procedure for jumping the starter and see if it will crank.
