First things first, I've done my homework. I have searched, I know it could be a lot of things. But here is what I have reasoned so far.

Drove home from work. Parked car. Next morning car won't crank. Lights come on, battery is charged, no cranking at all.

Try to jump start, no luck.
Try to push start, no luck.
I take the key out, wait at least 3 mins, try again, no luck.
Arm, disarm PKE, no luck.

So I take the buick, and tow the vette to the shop.

Finally get around to going to the shop to start on the car. First things first, I test the batterty. Jumped the noid, starter works, car cranks. Starter is good. Battery is good. Next I check fuses, everything seems in order. Fuses are good.

Still no crank. So I check the clutch pedal relay, bypass the relay and still no crank. Relay is not the cause of my problem.

Car is getting fuel pressure, turning iginition on turns on fuel pump. Fuel is definately not the issue.

Is there a starter relay on a 96 LT4? If so, where is it exactly?

I really think it is a security problem. I don't have anything aftermarket. When the door is open the security light blinks. When I turn the ignition over the security light stays constent. Does this mean the VATS is screwing me?

VATS? Is a worn out key my problem? I don't know my code and don't have a spare.

How does the ecklers bypass work, and do you think it will help me in this situation?

Pros, can you please chime in on this one!

 

Jump the clutch safety switch and measure the voltage on the jumper when you hit crank. If it is 12v and no cranking, then you have a discharged battery, poor battery cable connection, battery at the end of its life. You proved the starter is ok, so I doubt you will find 12v. If no 12v, then remove the kick panel above the drivers feet and find the 2 wires from above the steering column that goes to a 2 pin connector and unplug. Insert ign key and measure the resistance across the 2 wires from the steering column. It should measure the same as the pellet in the ign key. If more than 4% off, or over 13k ohms, you have defective contacts in the ign lock. A new lock will have new contacts that make connection to the pellet. You can temporarily bypass VATS until you can schedule a new ign lock by connecting a fixed resistor the same value (less than 4% error) as the pellet across the 2 pin jack in the wiring harness (goes to the VATS module). You can use one or more 1/4 watt 5% resistor/s from Radio Shack. You may have to series or parallel connect resistors to get the right value. This may not work because the later C4's require the resistance to be removed between cranks (key must be removed and inserted, which is normal car use). Earlier C4's you can leave the resistor connected all the time. I'm not sure where the 96's come in.
Don't permanently bypass VATS because 99% of thefts are done by bashing the column and jumping the ign. One further cause may be a defective start enable relay. The VATS circuit closes the start enable relay when the correct pellet resistance is measured and the relay supplies 12v from the ign sw crank contacts to the clutch safety switch and from the clutch sw to the starter solenoid. If you jump 12v to the clutch safety switch jumper, the starter should crank proving that you have a good connection through the firewall connector and down to the starter solenoid.

 

Where is the starter enable relay? 96 LT4 Manual Tranny obiviously.

 

ttt

 

I own an 87 and I don't know if the start enable relay is in the same place on a 96, but on the 87 it is behind the dash on the firewall in a square box with no top called the multi-use center. Please do yourself a favor and minimize the work you must do to find out the cause of your no crank condition by following my diagnostic instructions. Its ok to think you have a defective start enable relay or an ashtray screw, or low tire pressure, but the fastest way to find out what the problem is, is to make some measurements. Somewhere something isn't going to measure correctly and that fact will tell you what isn't working.

 

I don't have time to go to the shop until tomm, I will take into consideration everything you have said, but id like to know where to find the relay. I will replace every part all at once and long as the thing starts. New relay, new ignlock, new key, vats bypass, Ill buy it all, I just want it to start. Does any one know were the relay is on a 96?

 

My 93 book shows the starter enable relay (vats lockout) to be under the left side of the dash, left of the steering column. Sorry I don't have a book for a 96, that should be your hint to get one. Good luck.

 

You've already found your problem. When you insert the ignition key and turn it to run, a bulb test is done. The Security light goes on and if the key pellet resistance is read properly / matches what the CCM expects, the Security light turns off.

If the Security light stays on, it indicates the resistance value of the key pellet doesn't match what the CCM is programmed for and will not allow the starter to engage.

CCM DTC code 51, 52 or 53 will set. The codes will clear when the proper key pellet resistance is read by the CCM.

When an improper resistance value is read, there will be a random delay around 3 minutes before you can try to start the car again.

Could be a worn or dirty key pellet, bad contacts in the igntion switch or ignition key cylinder wiring.

There are 15 possible key pellet values. You can use an ohm meter and compare it to the table listed in following url. If you don't have a meter go to Radio Shack and have them measure the key pellet.

http://www.cadillacforum.com/m_5779/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm

If you purchase a new key cylinder, make sure you get the one for a manual trans. You'll have to purchase a new Vats key with the proper key pellet resistance value and have it cut for the new key cylinder which will come with a blank key.

 

Why can't he just put 12V to the starter - jump the solenoid?

I wouldn't trust a failed rollin' jump attempt as a diagnostic...

 

I did jump the stater. Starter cranked and the car turnover. Starter is good. I just want to know why my key won't cause the car to crank.

 

Thanks, I was hoping that was it. I will definately try this next. Any suggestion on where I can find out what key resitence I should get. Can I tell by my VIN? I have a feeling my old worn out key is the problem. Will the meter tell me the correct resistence on a worn out key?

 

I found and fixed the problem. It was the VATS. GIjoe from from www.vatssucks.com met me diagnosed, tested, retested, and fixed the problem in a matter of 10 mins. Man it pays to know the right people. Joe is great guy. Drove 40 mins on a sat. morning to help a fellow vette owner and fuelslut out. He took some pics and is doing a write up to go on his website. He totally hooked me up! Of course, a man of true class, didn't want a dime! If you have any questions PM me and I will fill you in on the details. I know how frustrating the problem can be when your car won't start.

 

Help is welcome anytime
I am glad we got it started and hopefully it shouldn't ever bother you again.

Turns out it was the lock cylinder itself that was bad (wasn't reading any resistance from the key at all)

It was great to hang out and shoot the breeze afterwards too. Hopefully we can get our cars running soon and go cruise around a bit (still waiting on 2 clutch cylinders and now a batter added to the list *sigh*)

I hope to be redoing the website soon and Eric was cool enough to let me get some pics of under his dash so I can help more of you out with visuals of what to do. I got some better pics of how to solder all the resistors and such too that I will be getting up online later as well.

Just remember... vatssucks (.com) LOL

 

Hi, Where is your info on the 96 vet above ? It would be great if you have it available . I'm troubleshooting and may have a VATS issue but need more info/answers.

 

www.vatssucks.com

How perfect is that URL name !!!! I just bookmarked it, waiting for '94 vatssucks information...

Beautiful....just beautiful !!

 

BUt the site says the 96 info is coming soon and is not currently relivant towards a 96 C4.