No Start After Storage=Starter?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 15
From: Martinsburg WV
No Start After Storage=Starter?
Finally had a chance to make it up to my '88 C4 in storage-put a new battery in though she wouldnt even turn over. It sounded as if the battery terminals werent sercure though I made sure a few times that they were. I knocked on the starter and even put a socket on the crank and sure enough shes not locked up or anything. I cant hear the starter solenoid so Ive narrowed it down to the starter which is the original delco. Actually just got back and Im about to check with my FSM to see if it could be anything else. Any input? Btw with the key in the on position oil pressure was around 8-11 psi-does that sound about right?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
The starter solenoid doesn't take much current, so it should work unless the battery is REALLY low. You say you can't hear it, so it appears that it isn't getting any voltage.
The VATS module disables the starter if it doesn't see the correct key resistance. There is a starter relay involved there, which applies the voltage to the solenoid. That relay could have a problem.
I know that some years (I don't know when) will flash the SECURITY lamp if VATS fails. Some good VATS info here: http://www.vatssucks.com
You've got oil pressure without turning over the engine? Could be a bad oil pressure sender or gremlins in the dashboard. Probably just a distraction at this point and something to come back to later.
The VATS module disables the starter if it doesn't see the correct key resistance. There is a starter relay involved there, which applies the voltage to the solenoid. That relay could have a problem.
I know that some years (I don't know when) will flash the SECURITY lamp if VATS fails. Some good VATS info here: http://www.vatssucks.com
You've got oil pressure without turning over the engine? Could be a bad oil pressure sender or gremlins in the dashboard. Probably just a distraction at this point and something to come back to later.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 15
From: Martinsburg WV
The starter solenoid doesn't take much current, so it should work unless the battery is REALLY low. You say you can't hear it, so it appears that it isn't getting any voltage.
The VATS module disables the starter if it doesn't see the correct key resistance. There is a starter relay involved there, which applies the voltage to the solenoid. That relay could have a problem.
I know that some years (I don't know when) will flash the SECURITY lamp if VATS fails. Some good VATS info here: http://www.vatssucks.com
You've got oil pressure without turning over the engine? Could be a bad oil pressure sender or gremlins in the dashboard. Probably just a distraction at this point and something to come back to later.
The VATS module disables the starter if it doesn't see the correct key resistance. There is a starter relay involved there, which applies the voltage to the solenoid. That relay could have a problem.
I know that some years (I don't know when) will flash the SECURITY lamp if VATS fails. Some good VATS info here: http://www.vatssucks.com
You've got oil pressure without turning over the engine? Could be a bad oil pressure sender or gremlins in the dashboard. Probably just a distraction at this point and something to come back to later.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 327
Likes: 2
From: se iowa
Never had any Vats/no start problems before and Im not seeing the flashing sercurity light. Might end up goi
ng up there with a multi meter today just to see-how much voltage should the solenoid be getting? When I put the key in the on position yes the oil pressure gage goes to around 8psi and jumps around a little bit-is that normal? I figured you needed oil pressure to start the car.
ng up there with a multi meter today just to see-how much voltage should the solenoid be getting? When I put the key in the on position yes the oil pressure gage goes to around 8psi and jumps around a little bit-is that normal? I figured you needed oil pressure to start the car.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 15
From: Martinsburg WV
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 15
From: Martinsburg WV
Update: So I just got back from messing with my Vette. I tried to get her to turn over a few times and once the starter kicked in for a sec then nothing. I disconnected the battery and hooked it back up and tried a few more times and bam she fired up. A few of my dash lights dimmed for a few secs though-I think its just the bulbs going back. Alternator is new and my charging system is good. Car seemed to smoke a lil bit but Im guessing this is expected from sitting for so long.
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Starter motors draw a lot of current (my 87 draws 240 amps) and you MUST have a low resistance cable connection to the battery for it to deliver cranking current. If you replaced the cable ends that connect to the battery, I would check them carefully. If you had bad cable ends, it would have been much better to replace the entire cable.
