Starting issue
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Starting issue
First of all, hi my name is joe. I just purchased my first '94 C4 corvette LT1 about a month ago and I am new to this forum.
My car before was a 99 Pontiac grand prix so I'm completely clueless to this engine bay. I went out and tried to start it today. The car had electricity, everything worked, but I turned it on all the way and *click*, nothing. I opened up the hood and noticed a black wire coming down from the thinga-ma-jig above the battery. I reconnected it to the positive side of the battery (where I assumed it goes) and now it only starts half the time.
1.) what is that thinga ma jig above the batter?
2.) any idea what could be causing it not to start half the time? Bad starter? Bad connection?
P.S. I tried both keys and it did the same thing so I'm pretty sure it's not the Vats system.
My car before was a 99 Pontiac grand prix so I'm completely clueless to this engine bay. I went out and tried to start it today. The car had electricity, everything worked, but I turned it on all the way and *click*, nothing. I opened up the hood and noticed a black wire coming down from the thinga-ma-jig above the battery. I reconnected it to the positive side of the battery (where I assumed it goes) and now it only starts half the time.
1.) what is that thinga ma jig above the batter?
2.) any idea what could be causing it not to start half the time? Bad starter? Bad connection?
P.S. I tried both keys and it did the same thing so I'm pretty sure it's not the Vats system.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI
96GS is absolutely correct.
Basic troubleshooting for a no-start condition, if the battery is strong, is to check both ends of both primary cables (the thick ones) for connections that are clean and tight, and that the starter attaching bolts are tight. From there you advance to the rest of the starting system wiring, from the key switch to the starter itself.
Basic troubleshooting for a no-start condition, if the battery is strong, is to check both ends of both primary cables (the thick ones) for connections that are clean and tight, and that the starter attaching bolts are tight. From there you advance to the rest of the starting system wiring, from the key switch to the starter itself.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Upon further inspection, the wire coming from the thinga ma jig is only attached to the metal brace. It's not actually part of it. But I'm almost positive it was attached to the positive battery cable. I unattached the positive cable the other day to clean my throttle body and when I reconnected it, I must have forgot. Which might explain why I had no power to my amp. The previous owner must have wired it to the battery for power.
But as for the car starting. I'll recheck to make sure there are good connections and that the wires are clean. Thank you guys.
But as for the car starting. I'll recheck to make sure there are good connections and that the wires are clean. Thank you guys.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Just an update on my car. I discovered and fixed the problem. That wire going to my positive battery cable was the wire going to the amp, and it was damaged. It was preventing the battery from sending enough volts to the starter. I took it off and the car was starting fine.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Bell Buckle, TN
I've never installed a separate amp on any vehicle I've owned, not because I have any particular problem with it but simply because it never worked out that way. However, I can tell you that I've seen a disproportionate number of vehicle problems caused by amps that either had a bad installation or installations that were subsequently damaged while conducting other repairs/maintenance (including at least two vehicles that were total losses due to fire). Same goes for other aftermarket vehicle electrical modifications.
As a result of that, whenever I see any after market wiring associated with stereos/amps/alarms/remote starters, etc., I tend to want to eliminate them before troubleshooting electrical problems. Others' experience may vary, but to me it seems to prevent a lot of frustration later.
As a result of that, whenever I see any after market wiring associated with stereos/amps/alarms/remote starters, etc., I tend to want to eliminate them before troubleshooting electrical problems. Others' experience may vary, but to me it seems to prevent a lot of frustration later.
