Power, lights, click, no start :(
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 114
Likes: 2
From: Mansfield Texas
Power, lights, click, no start :(
Hello-
Well, my second day with my 1987 Corvette and the darn thing won't start. The key turns, lights up the day, radio jamming, I hear a click but no turning. Tried jiggling the key, let it sit for an hour, adjust the steering wheel, pray, etc. and no starting
So I did some searching here and it sounds like the orange wires for the starter are what I need to check for build up, etc. The bad thing is I don't see orange wires but perhaps I am looking in the wrong place. I removed the panel by the pedals where the light is but can't see a starter. Is it closer to the wheel?
Thanks for the help, sorry I am new to this.
Mowpow
Well, my second day with my 1987 Corvette and the darn thing won't start. The key turns, lights up the day, radio jamming, I hear a click but no turning. Tried jiggling the key, let it sit for an hour, adjust the steering wheel, pray, etc. and no starting
So I did some searching here and it sounds like the orange wires for the starter are what I need to check for build up, etc. The bad thing is I don't see orange wires but perhaps I am looking in the wrong place. I removed the panel by the pedals where the light is but can't see a starter. Is it closer to the wheel?
Thanks for the help, sorry I am new to this
.Mowpow
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
the starter is on the engine, right hand side under the last rear spark plug.
1. ok, first thing. Go to the starter, and put a meter on the s terminal (one of the little wires).
2. You have to put the car up on jacks if you can't snake your hand down there and see it or reach it.
3. Put the meter where you can see it and turn the key to start.
A. Assuming it is an auto, you have it in park or neutral.
B. Assuming it is a stick, your foot is on the clutch pedal, and the floor mat is not in the way of the pedal going full travel.
4. turn the key and read the meter.
A. If no volts, there could be a bunch of things.
B. if there is volts, it's the starter or solenoid.
5. If there are volts at the starter, whack the solenoid firmly but not too hard. If the car starts, you need to redo your starter/solenoid.
6. Check volts of the battery. 11.5 is necessary for a start. sometimes it will start on 10 volts or less.
7. check that the neutral start switch off of the shifter is good.
8. switch on the key a few times but don't try to start it until the 3rd or 4th time incase the ignition switch is going out.
If it is the alarm system keeping you from starting, check the security light. With a door open, it should blink.
1. ok, first thing. Go to the starter, and put a meter on the s terminal (one of the little wires).
2. You have to put the car up on jacks if you can't snake your hand down there and see it or reach it.
3. Put the meter where you can see it and turn the key to start.
A. Assuming it is an auto, you have it in park or neutral.
B. Assuming it is a stick, your foot is on the clutch pedal, and the floor mat is not in the way of the pedal going full travel.
4. turn the key and read the meter.
A. If no volts, there could be a bunch of things.
B. if there is volts, it's the starter or solenoid.
5. If there are volts at the starter, whack the solenoid firmly but not too hard. If the car starts, you need to redo your starter/solenoid.
6. Check volts of the battery. 11.5 is necessary for a start. sometimes it will start on 10 volts or less.
7. check that the neutral start switch off of the shifter is good.
8. switch on the key a few times but don't try to start it until the 3rd or 4th time incase the ignition switch is going out.
If it is the alarm system keeping you from starting, check the security light. With a door open, it should blink.
Last edited by coupeguy2001; Mar 22, 2009 at 07:08 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 1
From: Niagara Falls ON
Agreed
If it is the security system try it with another key (worked for me). If that doesn't work it is either the lock cylinder is worn or there is a relay behind the center console that needs to be checked and possibly replaced. Either can be replaced or by-passed (lots of options both ways)
If it is the security system try it with another key (worked for me). If that doesn't work it is either the lock cylinder is worn or there is a relay behind the center console that needs to be checked and possibly replaced. Either can be replaced or by-passed (lots of options both ways)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 114
Likes: 2
From: Mansfield Texas
Awesome thank you for the quick replies! This is an automatic, I forgot to mention that.
I replaced the battery today since it was 3 years old. In Texas, the summer would have killed that thing for sure!
Still getting the clicking. I did notice that the security light is not flashing when I open the door and this is before I even try to turn the key. I'll do some searching on this.
I only got one key so I can't test that theory. I am guessing I can just go to a Chevy dealership to get another one?
I picked up a Haynes manual today just to have something. It has a lot of text and not so many pics. I'm going to get a jack and stands tomorrow and I'll let you all know if I make any progress or no progress hehe.
Thanks again for all the help!
Mowpow
I replaced the battery today since it was 3 years old. In Texas, the summer would have killed that thing for sure!
Still getting the clicking. I did notice that the security light is not flashing when I open the door and this is before I even try to turn the key. I'll do some searching on this.
I only got one key so I can't test that theory
. I am guessing I can just go to a Chevy dealership to get another one?I picked up a Haynes manual today just to have something. It has a lot of text and not so many pics
. I'm going to get a jack and stands tomorrow and I'll let you all know if I make any progress or no progress hehe.Thanks again for all the help!
Mowpow
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 190
From: Custer, WI
funny story, mine did the same exact thing only mine was 3 days after i had it lol.
im pretty sure that its the starter if its making the clicking noise.
Starters for them are pretty cheap, i paid 55 for mine at Autozone.
GET IN THE ZONE..AUTO ZONE..DU-DU-DU-DOOOOO
im pretty sure that its the starter if its making the clicking noise.
Starters for them are pretty cheap, i paid 55 for mine at Autozone.
GET IN THE ZONE..AUTO ZONE..DU-DU-DU-DOOOOO
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 114
Likes: 2
From: Mansfield Texas
OK cool. I tried to go at the starter from the top of the car and I can't seem to find it. I'm going to put it up on stands later today and do some light tapping with the mallet 
. Good to know the starter is available at Autozone. I was seeing the $200 price tag online hehe.
Mowpow
. Good to know the starter is available at Autozone. I was seeing the $200 price tag online hehe.Mowpow
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 114
Likes: 2
From: Mansfield Texas
After troubleshooting and speaking with the previous owner, I decided to replace the starter. After 5 hours, I have the old starter out, and the new starter is kind of in there heheh. Looking at the old starter, it looks like the old owner used the 'whack method' quite a bit since there were marks all over the top of the solenoid.
Couple questions:
1) For the ignition lead, it looks like there are two places I could plug those in on the starter, right or left of where the power plugs in. Does it matter which one I use?
2) Due to having long tube headers, this project kicked my butt. There are two metal tubes that were in the way. Any idea what these tubes are for? I guessed fuel or brakes but that's just a guess.
Thanks,
Mowpow
Couple questions:
1) For the ignition lead, it looks like there are two places I could plug those in on the starter, right or left of where the power plugs in. Does it matter which one I use?
2) Due to having long tube headers, this project kicked my butt. There are two metal tubes that were in the way. Any idea what these tubes are for? I guessed fuel or brakes but that's just a guess.
Thanks,
Mowpow
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