C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Car starting problem

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Old Aug 3, 2010 | 07:16 PM
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Default Car starting problem

Went to start my 93, started turning over and made a quick sound and stopped. Now I turn the key and lights come on, but nothing else.
I do not even here the starter click, I just replaced the starter a month and a half ago.
Could the relay have gone bad or worse?
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Old Aug 3, 2010 | 08:36 PM
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Check for power to the starter when the key is turned to start.
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Old Aug 4, 2010 | 01:07 AM
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Most likely it is VATS. Use the search function and you will find thousands of posts about how to check VATS.
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Old Aug 4, 2010 | 08:10 AM
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Is the battery charged? Are the battery cable connections clean?
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Old Aug 4, 2010 | 11:30 AM
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Originally Posted by jfb
Most likely it is VATS. Use the search function and you will find thousands of posts about how to check VATS.
No, it was turning over when it stopped.

Battery is charged and terminals clean.

Thinking relay or new starter went bad or engine locked up.
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Old Aug 4, 2010 | 12:03 PM
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Originally Posted by surfer93
No, it was turning over when it stopped.

Battery is charged and terminals clean.

Thinking relay or new starter went bad or engine locked up.
VATS lets ur car turn over but wont start.
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Old Aug 4, 2010 | 12:15 PM
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Originally Posted by uptown193
VATS lets ur car turn over but wont start.
Yep, cuts fuel off to the injectors.
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Old Aug 4, 2010 | 02:52 PM
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Originally Posted by uptown193
VATS lets ur car turn over but wont start.
You did not read everything I wrote. Car started turning over and stopped quickly. I have already verified that it is not VATS.
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Old Aug 4, 2010 | 03:31 PM
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If you turn on the parking lights, then try the starter, the lights should dim if the starter is drawing juice. If they don't, the starter is not trying. Possibly- poor ground at starter, weak connection at relay or starter, or, the starter is not happy. Open winding in starter?

Last edited by sailorsteve; Aug 4, 2010 at 03:35 PM.
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Old Aug 4, 2010 | 08:44 PM
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Starter tested good, relay is good. One bolt on starter was broken and I am really worried something VERY bad happened.
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Old Aug 4, 2010 | 09:01 PM
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You could try to see if the engine will turn by putting a socket on the front pulley (you'll have to remove the air intake). You will be pulling against compression, but you can put a piece of pipe on the breaker bar and it should move. If you have a 6 speed, put it in neutral.
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Old Aug 4, 2010 | 09:16 PM
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Have seen many a bolt back out the break off after a starter has bee replaced. boils down to poor install. you should be fine replace the bolt and go
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Old Aug 4, 2010 | 09:16 PM
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HOW did you test the starter, in or out of the car?

Measure voltage to solenoid terminal as you turn the key, is it there?

Measure voltage to big (battery) lead when you turn the key, is it there?

Have you turned engine by hand. Put socket/breaker bar on bolt on (balancer) hub just to make sure engine is free.

Could bendix be jammed in flywheel?

Depending on your answers, you can then get a accurate direction based on data.
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Old Aug 5, 2010 | 12:57 AM
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Originally Posted by hooked073
Have seen many a bolt back out the break off after a starter has bee replaced. boils down to poor install. you should be fine replace the bolt and go
That is what I can't figure out, car started normally till the last attempt. I was doing the replacement in a parking lot, but I retorqued both bolts.
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Old Aug 5, 2010 | 01:03 AM
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Originally Posted by pcolt94
HOW did you test the starter, in or out of the car?

Measure voltage to solenoid terminal as you turn the key, is it there?

Measure voltage to big (battery) lead when you turn the key, is it there?

Have you turned engine by hand. Put socket/breaker bar on bolt on (balancer) hub just to make sure engine is free.

Could bendix be jammed in flywheel?

Depending on your answers, you can then get a accurate direction based on data.
Took starter back to autozone, watched it work perfectly. I cannot check voltage at starter, as I am a 1 man crew and the car is sitting in the parking lot where I work. Going to have it towed tomorrow, if I cannot findout what is wrong.

Just thought of something, I never heard the click of the relay, even after I replaced it. Since both the A/C relay and starter relay's are the same, I might have replaced the wrong one. Is the starter relay on a 93, right beside the steering column?
FSM says it is, but the A/C relay is there too, how do I know which is which?
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Old Aug 5, 2010 | 05:41 AM
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If you have a manual it wil only crank if the clutch is pushed down. If you have an auto it will only crank in N or P. Could this be your problem?

This statement doesn't seem correct

"Since both the A/C relay and starter relay's are the same, I might have replaced the wrong one"

Last edited by Lemme; Aug 5, 2010 at 05:43 AM.
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Old Aug 5, 2010 | 10:42 AM
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Lemme,
It is a auto and I was going by what a chevy mechanic told me and I do not think the neutral switch is my problem.

I am thinking the shorter bolt backed out(my fault) and the longer bolt snapped as I tried to start the car(side note, it broke the sensor right beside it on the block and the O2 wire) and when the starter came out the hot post grounded against block or something and caused the current electrical problem.

Anybody have an idea on how to get the broken part of the bolt out?
It is right beside the tranny and block, looks like I would need a bit about 5-6 inches long to get it out.

As I am righting this a Chevy mechanic friend just told me that you should have a rubber gasket between starter and tranny and because I did not have it on, could have caused my starter to vibrate and twist while starting the car.
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Old Aug 5, 2010 | 10:54 AM
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Originally Posted by surfer93
when the starter came out the hot post grounded against block or something and caused the current electrical problem.
May have blown a fuse.
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Old Aug 5, 2010 | 11:28 AM
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Originally Posted by surfer93
Lemme,
It is a auto and I was going by what a chevy mechanic told me and I do not think the neutral switch is my problem.

I am thinking the shorter bolt backed out(my fault) and the longer bolt snapped as I tried to start the car(side note, it broke the sensor right beside it on the block and the O2 wire) and when the starter came out the hot post grounded against block or something and caused the current electrical problem.

Anybody have an idea on how to get the broken part of the bolt out?
It is right beside the tranny and block, looks like I would need a bit about 5-6 inches long to get it out.

As I am righting this a Chevy mechanic friend just told me that you should have a rubber gasket between starter and tranny and because I did not have it on, could have caused my starter to vibrate and twist while starting the car.
If the snapped bolt is flush with the bellhousing, and if you have lived a good and noble life, there might be little or no force needed to back the bolt out. Try sticking the end of a retriever type magnet (on a rod) on the bolt and rotating it. Myself, I have lived a regrettable life, and this has worked for me only once or twice.
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Old Aug 5, 2010 | 11:41 AM
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Originally Posted by sailorsteve
If the snapped bolt is flush with the bellhousing, and if you have lived a good and noble life, there might be little or no force needed to back the bolt out. Try sticking the end of a retriever type magnet (on a rod) on the bolt and rotating it. Myself, I have lived a regrettable life, and this has worked for me only once or twice.
Also, if you can get a very pointed punch on it and try to punch it around to unscrew it that may work.
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