Starter issues
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 805
Likes: 3
From: Waco TX
Starter issues
94 Corvette, automatic.
Occasionally, when I turn the key, all the electrical stuff comes on, but the starter acts dead. No sound at all. It's done this when warmed up. If I leave it alone for 10-15 minutes, she starts right up.
I've had the battery and alternator tested. All things read normal there.
Any ideas?
Occasionally, when I turn the key, all the electrical stuff comes on, but the starter acts dead. No sound at all. It's done this when warmed up. If I leave it alone for 10-15 minutes, she starts right up.
I've had the battery and alternator tested. All things read normal there.
Any ideas?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
When mine did that it was the starter solenoid. We're talking an intermittent no-start condition.
You can try by-passing the starter solenoid with wire and if the engine cranks regularly it's most likely the solenoid. Go straight to the starter motor with 12v. 'S' terminal and hot (12v) terminal at the starter.
If the engine cranks but still won't crank with the solenoid repaired/replaced you'll need to start looking farther upstream. But I'd start with the solenoid since it so often is the culprit.
Over time, continued exposure to high heat kills it; like during extended idling times with little or no airflow over it.
Jake
You can try by-passing the starter solenoid with wire and if the engine cranks regularly it's most likely the solenoid. Go straight to the starter motor with 12v. 'S' terminal and hot (12v) terminal at the starter.
If the engine cranks but still won't crank with the solenoid repaired/replaced you'll need to start looking farther upstream. But I'd start with the solenoid since it so often is the culprit.
Over time, continued exposure to high heat kills it; like during extended idling times with little or no airflow over it.
Jake
Team Owner
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 53,601
Likes: 5,591
From: Plantation Florida USAF(Retired) 1966-1990
U.S. Air Force
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
You might want to replace your starter. While back I had the same problem was the engine was hot it wouldn't start, let it cool and it starts right up. When I replaced the starter the problem went away. I also had two others in our corvette club experience the same problem, same fix, problem gone.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
If you don't hear the starter solenoid click when it won't crank, then it isn't the starter. Most likely you have a VATS problem. If you use the search function under VATS, you will be buried in information about VATS. I have typed over 350 times, how to diagnose VATS problems, you should easily run into my posts on the subject.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
I just had the same problem a week ago. On mine, when the tranny was rebuilt about a month ago, the guy didn't properly connect the ground wire. So the starter would work, then not work depending on whether it was getting a good ground at the time or not.
It turns out the starter ended up cooking, due to the inadequate ground, and the fact that it was 18 yrs old and all of a sudden had to work harder to the same task. So a quick rewire of the ground an a new starter and so far, no problems!
It turns out the starter ended up cooking, due to the inadequate ground, and the fact that it was 18 yrs old and all of a sudden had to work harder to the same task. So a quick rewire of the ground an a new starter and so far, no problems!
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