Stuck at work (no start)
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 317
Likes: 1
From: Maple Valley WA
Stuck at work (no start)
So, I just went out to my '95, turned the key, all the lights flashed at me just like normal, but when I turn the key to 'Start', nothing! No turn over, no click, no dimming of the lights. The only thing that happens is the 'Brake Pressure' light comes on in the dash and stays on as long as the key is turned to Start. Once the key goes back to On, the Brake Pressure light goes out. I disconnected the battery for a couple of minutes, but that helped not at all.
Any ideas?
Stuck at work,
Jay
Any ideas?
Stuck at work,
Jay
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 317
Likes: 1
From: Maple Valley WA
OK, thanks. The car is at work and I got a ride home so I'll try those things in the AM and let you all know. I didn't even think about the key/chip.
It's definitely not a dead battery everything electrical works and there's no SYS flashing or that damn ticking that comes from under the passenger side dash when the battery is low. Besides, it's a red top - I love those things.
Thanks again,
Jay
It's definitely not a dead battery everything electrical works and there's no SYS flashing or that damn ticking that comes from under the passenger side dash when the battery is low. Besides, it's a red top - I love those things.
Thanks again,
Jay
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Jay-
Sorry to hear about your problem! When I had problems with my VATS, the Security light came one when I turned the key to start. One way to check to see if it is VATS related is try connecting to the PCM with your laptop. When mine was in its' lock out period (VATS), Datamaster could not connect to the PCM.
I was able to disable VATS through TunerCat, so if that is indeed the problem, you might want to try that.
Mike
Sorry to hear about your problem! When I had problems with my VATS, the Security light came one when I turned the key to start. One way to check to see if it is VATS related is try connecting to the PCM with your laptop. When mine was in its' lock out period (VATS), Datamaster could not connect to the PCM.
I was able to disable VATS through TunerCat, so if that is indeed the problem, you might want to try that.
Mike
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Jonesboro AR
i had a very similar problem with my ls400. It sounds like maybe the security system is activated. pop the hood and take the neg. battery cable off. leave it off for about 5 minutes then put it on and try to start it.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 565
Likes: 2
From: Chandler AZ
Mine left me stranded at a Home Depot and I had it towed to my house. Jacked it up thinking that I needed a new starter and found a loose wire on the starter. Cleaned up and tightened up all connections and no more problem. Just one more thing to check. Good luck, Robert 
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 10
From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
May be just a starter solenoid. If so you can use the old farmers method to start her with a screwdriver and get her home.Try all the things suggested by the other forum members first. But if all else fails you can jump the starter to get the car home by turning key forward and jumping the large post on starter (12volt positive)to the smaller post (ignition key activated 12v) with a wire or screwdriver. With the key forward, doing this will usually turn the starter over if the solenoid is dieing or dead. Be very careful not to ground screwdriver or jumper wireto trans cooler lines ect. or you will get a face full of sparks. Be also very cautious and have it in park and up on jackstands or at least jack and one jackstand with the wheels that are on ground blocked off. If you have a manual transmission you will need a partner to push in the clutch while starting with this method. Just jump the small terminal on starter over to the large and hold it until car fires and then pull it quickly away. Then go get a new starter or have yours rebuilt.
Hopefully this method will not be required and just use it as a last resort, but it can save you towing fees in a pinch.
Good luck
Hopefully this method will not be required and just use it as a last resort, but it can save you towing fees in a pinch.
Good luck
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,294
Likes: 0
From: Amateur driver on open course.
Originally Posted by JayH
OK, thanks. The car is at work and I got a ride home so I'll try those things in the AM and let you all know. I didn't even think about the key/chip.
It's definitely not a dead battery everything electrical works and there's no SYS flashing or that damn ticking that comes from under the passenger side dash when the battery is low. Besides, it's a red top - I love those things.
Thanks again,
Jay
It's definitely not a dead battery everything electrical works and there's no SYS flashing or that damn ticking that comes from under the passenger side dash when the battery is low. Besides, it's a red top - I love those things.
Thanks again,
Jay
Hopefully it was one of the simple issues described above. Any update to report?
Last edited by 95AquaC4; Nov 30, 2004 at 08:26 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 317
Likes: 1
From: Maple Valley WA
Nothing yet - I'm heading down there right now armed with my FSM and some good ole common sense from you guys.
Thanks again and I'll let you know what I find out when I find it.
Jay
Thanks again and I'll let you know what I find out when I find it.
Jay
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,165
Likes: 1
From: Knoxville,TN TN
St. Jude Donor '03
My 95 had the same problem, and it turn out to be a worn out key ignition cyl, I had to take to dealer Got new cyl and new ignition keys
about $400.00. Hope this helps
about $400.00. Hope this helps
Pro
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
Let us know what turns up Jay. My 95 has been stuck at work for almost two weeks. I'm just about fed up enough with this money pit that I may give it back to the bank. Mine has a new Powesmaster starter, so I'm not sure that's it, but you never know with these C4's. I've also got one of those damn after-market security sytems that has that little under-dash plug-in computerboard looking thing. I hate those (previous owner install) and it has givin me trouble before. I bypassed (buthchered McGyver style) it that night, but still no start. Just dead in the water with plenty of juice in the battery. I'm tired.....and broke.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Many times a corroded battery connection will give this result: battery tests good but won't turn the starter.
Take off both connections, wire brush the connectors and the battery terminals, reinstall.
Larry
Take off both connections, wire brush the connectors and the battery terminals, reinstall.
Larry
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 317
Likes: 1
From: Maple Valley WA
Solved!
Well, I got to work and threw the CCm in diagnostic mode. It gave me a current DTC of 51 - Bad Pass Key. So I put the spare in and it fired right up. Kudos to 65z01 and anyone else who suggested the spare key. And thanks to all of you for your help
Jay
Jay
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Originally Posted by reed62783
i had a very similar problem with my ls400. It sounds like maybe the security system is activated. pop the hood and take the neg. battery cable off. leave it off for about 5 minutes then put it on and try to start it.
That will not work, the VATS system is smarter than that. The ONLY thing you can do is wait it out. Anything you try to do only resets the timer, including disconnecting the battery.
BTW, disabling the VATS in the computer may solve some VATS problems but certainly not all. I have a key without a resistor in it specifically to test that theory. I tried turning the VATS off in the computer and it doesn't get it. On the F-bodies and stuff it may get it, but with the Vette it's all tied in through the CCM and it still has to see the right resistance. You can bypass it though by perm. wiring the proper resistance into the circuit down below the dash (required for remote start)
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Congrats on solving the problem.
Now all you need is a new spare ignition key, for next time.
One of the first things I did upon getting my '88 was to have the local Chevy dealer cut me a spare set of keys.
Now all you need is a new spare ignition key, for next time.
One of the first things I did upon getting my '88 was to have the local Chevy dealer cut me a spare set of keys.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
Ok, so to get a new key made, what do I need? Just my original key and my vin # ?
Also, if my VATS, how long is the 'wait - it - out' time after I reconnect my battery? And, is there anything else related to do?
Thanks guys.
Also, if my VATS, how long is the 'wait - it - out' time after I reconnect my battery? And, is there anything else related to do?
Thanks guys.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 7,996
Likes: 0
From: McAlester Oklahoma
Just take your key to dealer they will check the resistants. I help a guy at a guy show when his wouldn't start and I just unhocked the battery and then hooked it back after a couple of minutes. It fired right up.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 116
Likes: 3
From: Knee deep in Amish PA
I had some problems like that right after I got my 92. Know the problem? I have a bad habit of sticking my keys in my mouth on the way to the car!!! 
Pass key no likey. Did you know that they let morons buy Corvettes too? 
Pass key no likey. Did you know that they let morons buy Corvettes too?