HELP! I just bought a 1993 corvette with a busted steering column where someone tried to steal it. I had it towed to a shop. They ordered a rebuilt column and put it in. They used my ORIGINAL ignition so I still start the car with my ORIGINAL key.
My mechanic called me and said the car started right up after installation but the dashboard lights were all lit up...he said it looked like a Christmas tree.
After reading some threads here, I read where a bad battery could cause this. I drove the car to Autozone and indeed, the battery was bad. (however, the car was starting and running great).
After I put in the new battery, the car started right up and the dashboard lights went off. I turned the car off and tried to restart and IT HASN'T STARTED SINCE!
It will do one of three things at any given time:
1. It just tries to turn over but never starts
2. It will barely try to turn over like the battery is dead
3. It will do nothing when the key is turned.
Mostly 1 and 2.
I did all the obvious things: I checked the charge on the new battery, even went back to Autozone and replaced it for their strongest batt. I cleaned batt cables, I cleaned the ground. I checked all fuses. I even had a new key made thinking maybe the computer chip was messed up. And here I am. It won't start.
I have no idea why it started after the column was replaced, it started one brief time after the battery was replaced, and now nothing. It acts like it is out of gas or that the battery is weak.
I'm thinking it has something to do with security. I have also thought about ordering a security bypass. This is my first corvette and I really like the car and the one time I drove it, it drove fantastic. Please help! What do I do next???

 

If it cranks at all it is not a security (VATS ) system
If it cranks slow , then it is a power ( batt / cables / starter ) problem.
If it cranks at normal speed but does not fire , it could be VATS system.
Are there any codes showing?

I would temporarily run a wire from starter solenoid terminal on starter to batt area.
When problem happens next ,
with car out of gear and IGN on , touch the wire to batt Pos terminal.
If engine cranks and starts you know problem is with the wiring from Ign switch to starter solenoid.
If it doesn't crank; you know problem is with starter itself or assuming a good batt , with the heavy cables from batt to starter

 

Thanks for the quick reply. I will try that. The weird thing is although it did indeed start right after I installed the new battery, I cut the car off immediately cuz the windshield wipers had stopped mid way and the only way I can get them down is to cut the car off. I cut the ignition and it hasn't started since. I have tried multiple times. I also noticed, the security light only comes on when i have the ignition turned to the on position and the door is opened. When i close the door, the security light goes off. I don't see any codes. Course, being my first corvette to ever own I'm not sure where to look for the codes.

 

http://www.corvettebuyers.com/c4vettes/codes.htm

 

I will try to figure out how to do that when I get back to the house. Thanks for that link. Is there a chance it is a bad starter? Should I order the security bypass and give that a shot?

 

I think you should do a little trouble shooting , starting with the new steering column install before you start throwing parts at it. If nothing else , take it to a good auto electric shop. if it was a brand new, or just new to you, it may have issues that would be easy for a good electric man to spot, and may just be something simple.