Corvette won't start
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2017
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Corvette won't start
I have a 1990 Corvette convertible (As my user name states) and it ran fine yesterday, went to go start it up today and...nothing. The dash lights go dim when the key is turned and nothing happens. When the ignition is first turned on, you can hear the fuel pump coming on for a second, so I'm pretty sure that's fine. I used a remote starter on the starter and the engine turned over, but didn't fire up. Made sure that the distributor was getting fire, and it is.
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
Last edited by 1990 Convertible; Mar 22, 2017 at 02:19 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 761
Likes: 79
From: Buchanan GA
Yeah, probably not keeping the car from starting but it will need to get addressed at some point. I have an 85 without the VATs so i don't know if that could have something to do with it. Not sure how it acts when voltage drops on the system.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
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Tried another battery that was fully charged out of a chevy 1500, same issue, turn the key and nothing happens except the dash lights dimming. Starter won't even turn over. Since I had a remote starter hooked up to the starter to make sure the starter was working, I now know that it's not the starter, and it's not the battery either since that battery will start the truck every time.
VATS issue, or maybe a starter relay issue?
VATS issue, or maybe a starter relay issue?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,426
Likes: 3,277
From: Hartford WI
Tried another battery that was fully charged out of a chevy 1500, same issue, turn the key and nothing happens except the dash lights dimming. Starter won't even turn over. Since I had a remote starter hooked up to the starter to make sure the starter was working, I now know that it's not the starter, and it's not the battery either since that battery will start the truck every time.
VATS issue, or maybe a starter relay issue?
VATS issue, or maybe a starter relay issue?
If that isn't the issue, you may have to tow it to do a draw test
Last edited by aklim; Mar 23, 2017 at 02:25 PM.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
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Code 46 - VATS.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Hartford WI
Any way to scan if the pass key is and is authorized by the ECM?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 761
Likes: 79
From: Buchanan GA
Might check the ground cables for corrosion where they connect to the chassis. Especially since it turned over when connected to a starter that was providing a different ground but wont even with a fresh battery.
Last edited by Silver85; Mar 23, 2017 at 07:40 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Hartford WI
IDK. I agree it is possible but how to have it checked without a VAT 40 meter? I had a bad starter once and it would start when it was jumped or battery charged. Happened often enough that it worried me. For ***** and giggles, I hooked the battery to another car and it worked. Thing I am worried about is that if the starter is old enough, it might not be a wise thing to assume it is in good shape. Doesn't hurt to look before he tows it for a starter draw test.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Hartford WI
But if the engine will not crank, why does it have the lights dim? Doesn't that indicate that a huge amount of power is demanded hence the dimming of lights? 
Assuming battery is ok, that is. Pump should be on for 2 seconds and not much of a draw. So what is causing that draw?
Assuming battery is ok, that is. Pump should be on for 2 seconds and not much of a draw. So what is causing that draw?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 761
Likes: 79
From: Buchanan GA
But if the engine will not crank, why does it have the lights dim? Doesn't that indicate that a huge amount of power is demanded hence the dimming of lights? Assuming battery is ok, that is. Pump should be on for 2 seconds and not much of a draw. So what is causing that draw?
Assuming battery is ok, that is. Pump should be on for 2 seconds and not much of a draw. So what is causing that draw?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,426
Likes: 3,277
From: Hartford WI
And my understanding is that with a VATS issue the motor would still turn with the starter, just not crank. The lights dimming make me think there is an amp draw on the battery that the circuit can't carry and causing a severe voltage drop. My vote is for a wiring issue. Corrosion, frayed connection, bad cable......
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 761
Likes: 79
From: Buchanan GA
But if it was the VATS how is it turning over on a starter and not without it?
Last edited by Silver85; Mar 23, 2017 at 10:39 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,426
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From: Hartford WI
Think you are going to crank it immediately after trying? Think again, buddy. No cranking for 10 minutes for you.
Signed: The VATS ****
Last edited by aklim; Mar 23, 2017 at 10:51 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 761
Likes: 79
From: Buchanan GA
If VATS doesn't like you, it won't crank. I just did it on mine. You will hear it prime the pump. It just won't crank. No starter action. It won't throw the actuator or turn
Think you are going to crank it immediately after trying? Think again, buddy. No cranking for 10 minutes for you.
Signed: The VATS ****
Think you are going to crank it immediately after trying? Think again, buddy. No cranking for 10 minutes for you.
Signed: The VATS ****