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

91 Starting Issue

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Old Mar 3, 2015 | 11:29 AM
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Default 91 Starting Issue

Hey guys! Quick question before I dive into what I hope to be a simple problem

I have never had any issues starting, always fires up instantly without issue. This morning however, turned the key and nothing. All lights, radio etc come on, but it does nothing. Same as if I were say starting the car in gear, no sounds or anything. I messed around for a minute with it, tried starting in neutral etc and still nothing.

Would a starter die out that quick? Any ideas what to check?

Thanks in advance!
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Old Mar 3, 2015 | 11:31 AM
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Search and read about VATS issues, on this forum.
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Old Mar 3, 2015 | 11:32 AM
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Originally Posted by whalepirot
Search and read about VATS issues, on this forum.
Had that happen on my old firebird! Not fun! The security light wasnt blinking, and I tried my other key and got nothing.

I ended up losing my firebird over the VATS issue
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Old Mar 3, 2015 | 12:26 PM
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Originally Posted by whalepirot
Search and read about VATS issues, on this forum.
any simple checks for other stuff before that nightmare starts?
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Old Mar 3, 2015 | 01:50 PM
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Originally Posted by toochowed
any simple checks for other stuff before that nightmare starts?
For sure; Check battery, battery connections, and battery cables (both ends).
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Old Mar 3, 2015 | 08:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Jud Chapin
For sure; Check battery, battery connections, and battery cables (both ends).
Well, def VATS. This morning when key was in "on" position the security light was lit. Later in the day I went to the car, turned to "on" with no security light and you guessed it, fired right up.

Hope it was isolated. Worth noting it rained in the car yesterday by accident.
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Old Mar 3, 2015 | 08:39 PM
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Originally Posted by toochowed
Well, def VATS. This morning when key was in "on" position the security light was lit. Later in the day I went to the car, turned to "on" with no security light and you guessed it, fired right up.

Hope it was isolated. Worth noting it rained in the car yesterday by accident.
it rained in the car yesterday by accident
that surely didn't help but if it continues to happen your lock cylinder contacts might be getting a little tired, and it doesn't take much, keep it dry. hopefully it was a one time incident.

remember if the Vats doesn't like what it read it goes into a time out and wont start for around 10 min.

Last edited by s carter; Mar 3, 2015 at 10:08 PM.
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Old Mar 3, 2015 | 08:40 PM
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Originally Posted by s carter
that surely didn't help but if it continues to happen your lock cylinder contacts might be getting a little tired, and it doesn't take much, keep it dry. hopefully it was a one time incident.

remember if the Vats doesn't like what it read it goes into a time and wont start for around 10 min.
will the security light flash for 10 minutes like my old Malibu? I know in my 91 Firebird it didnt do that.
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Old Mar 3, 2015 | 09:44 PM
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Originally Posted by toochowed
will the security light flash for 10 minutes like my old Malibu? I know in my 91 Firebird it didnt do that.
I gave a quick look at my FSM it just states if Invalid key (or in my opinion a misread)is detected system will disable crank for Approx.,3 min. but I didn't see anything about the security light.


3 min. time out that's a lot less time then seemed to remember?
I can remember waiting what felt an Eternity for the VATS test tool to say it was ok to try the next Key code, when people would loose there keys and had no clue which chip they had.

Last edited by s carter; Mar 3, 2015 at 11:26 PM.
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Old Sep 14, 2019 | 02:43 PM
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what is the best way to find out which key (resistor) I have?
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Old Sep 14, 2019 | 04:59 PM
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When I bought extra keys for my 91 the locksmith just checked the resistance to know what blank to use.
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Old Sep 14, 2019 | 08:58 PM
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Had a similar problem. Thought it was starter heat soak because of headers. Turned out to be a bad clutch safety switch.
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Old Sep 14, 2019 | 10:15 PM
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Thanks, I have an automatic but I appreciate the response
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Old Sep 15, 2019 | 02:08 PM
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Www.tunedperformance.org have it bypassed and be done with vats.
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Old Sep 16, 2019 | 07:51 AM
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Originally Posted by bp308
Thanks, I have an automatic but I appreciate the response
Don't you have a neutral safety switch? If not, you can crank in ANY gear. If so and it is slightly out of adjustment, you might have to wiggle the shifter a little when it doesn't work.
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