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

Won't Start???Help!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 11, 2002 | 12:02 PM
  #1  
STREETKNIGHT's Avatar
STREETKNIGHT
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,883
Likes: 2
From: www.corvetteflorida.com
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Default Won't Start???Help!

I have an 87 that has now decided to intermitantly not start. It will start strong and well one time, slowly the next, with a lot of starter spin before cranking and not at all on another. And this can all be within the same day just hours or minutes apart!! :smash:

I have disconnected the battery and waited, reconnected it and it starts. The last time though, this did'nt work :mad

I took the old fashion route and "tapped" on the starter :smash:
This time it started.

Now it doesn't start at all.

By the way, I have full dash lights, radio and other power, yet no cranking. Volts show 11.

There's no "clicking", "whirring" or other sounds to indicate the starter is attempting to do it's job. Just dead with power.

Any ideas? I've heard abouth the VATS system causing similar problems. Is there a bypass for this system. If so, PLEASE provide the info. I'm up for it by now!

Thanks

Gordon-Tampa :cheers: :flag
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2002 | 12:08 PM
  #2  
BETA's Avatar
BETA
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,732
Likes: 2
From: Yes .....VA
Default Re: Won't Start???Help! (STREETKNIGHT)

http://www.corvettecentral.com sells the VATS bypass for pre 91 C-4s if it turns out that this is your problem. Hope this helps some :)
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2002 | 12:16 PM
  #3  
markmaz's Avatar
markmaz
Safety Car
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,632
Likes: 0
Default Re: Won't Start???Help! (STREETKNIGHT)

i think the fuse for vats is in the dash behind the warning lights . it's not too bad to get to , but when my vats kicks in , i cannot even turn the car over so i do not think that is your trouble . check the coil .
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2002 | 01:02 PM
  #4  
hz900's Avatar
hz900
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,699
Likes: 2
From: The Black Hole LA
Default Re: Won't Start???Help! (STREETKNIGHT)

I would guess that it is your starter going out. 11 volts should be plenty and if it were you VATS then nothing would happen at all. I know it is a pita but take the starter off and take it to Autozone and they can test it for you for free. Also the exhaust runs right next to the starter and if the starter gets to hot it will go dead until it cools down again. You can buy a heat shield to solve this. Hope this helps
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2002 | 01:20 PM
  #5  
jfb's Avatar
jfb
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Default Re: Won't Start???Help! (STREETKNIGHT)

When it won't crank, can you hear the start enable relay click behind the center of the dash when you hit the "start" position?? If so, it isn't VATS. 11 volts if true shows a discharged battery or a poor cable connection. First check the battery voltage with a voltmeter, the dash voltmeters (mine anyway) read low. I would definetely remove the battery cables, ground first and clean them and the battery posts and re install, ground last. When cranking, the battery voltage should not fall below 9.0 volts or the battery is discharged or at the end of its life or the battery connection is poor. IM me and I will tell you how to confirm that its VATS or not. Jump your clutch switch (xmsn selector sw if auto) when it won't crank, could be the switch.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2002 | 08:38 PM
  #6  
OrangeC4's Avatar
OrangeC4
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 20
From: Back in San Diego Ca
Default Re: Won't Start???Help! (STREETKNIGHT)

When you first turn the ignition to the "Run" position, do you hear the fuel pump turning on?


[Modified by OrangeC4, 12:38 AM 7/12/2002]
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2002 | 03:09 AM
  #7  
STREETKNIGHT's Avatar
STREETKNIGHT
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,883
Likes: 2
From: www.corvetteflorida.com
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Default Re: Won't Start???Help! (hz900)

Thats exactly what happens...nothing :mad The blasted dash lights and all electronic components work, but no sound from the starter :confused:
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2002 | 03:16 AM
  #8  
STREETKNIGHT's Avatar
STREETKNIGHT
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,883
Likes: 2
From: www.corvetteflorida.com
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Default Re: Won't Start???Help! (OrangeC4)

When I first turn it on, I do hear the fuel pump cycling on. When I go to start, I hear a "click" behind the dash as asked in an earlier post.

Even if it's not the VATS, I am picking up a bypass for it tomorrrow. Rather kill that gremlin now than wait until I'm in a hurry or in the middle of BFE :smash:

Any other suggestions? :cheers:
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Won't Start???Help!

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:36 PM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE