Paper weight?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 366
Likes: 10
From: NEW JERSEY
Paper weight?
car again no start this time for 3 weeks new battery clutch overide and vats bypass switch told need possible new wire harness do they sell this or is there something else that can be done . car drove fine waited two days to take it out again no start car has started once in three weeks since. its a 1990 zr1 77k
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 797
Likes: 0
From: pa
next time its a no start, turn the key like your starting and hold....... watch the volt needle as you ingage the clutch in and out, if it moves my bet would be a starter.
The 90 is prone to the clutch switch going bad, try to bypass it
Did you wash the motor? if so replace the starter.
Will it push start? if so starter
Hope this helps
it happened to mine 91 it would start cold, drive it a little and sometimes it would not start, replaced the starter 7 years ago and all well now
Good Luck
The 90 is prone to the clutch switch going bad, try to bypass it
Did you wash the motor? if so replace the starter.
Will it push start? if so starter
Hope this helps
it happened to mine 91 it would start cold, drive it a little and sometimes it would not start, replaced the starter 7 years ago and all well now
Good Luck
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 379
Likes: 10
From: N'Awlins
Whichvette, as you probably know, the starter can go bad from moisture in the starter and will not start or the clutch switch can go bad and will not start. This is what most people assume is wrong when car will not start. And a lot of times that is what's wrong.
But here is what I suggest you do. The next time it doesn't start. Push start the car. After the engine fires up, look at the speedo console. Is the SECURITY light on? If it is then you have an ignition switch problem or Bubba has cobbled up the wiring maybe by adding an extra anti-thief, custom stereo or other extra electrical something. If he did, get rid of that junk first!
Try your spare key first that might work, those chips on the key can go bad some kind of way.
This is what happened to me, I kicked, cussed and was ready to burn the damn thing to the ground until one night after push starting I noticed the SECURITY light on. I didn't have any Bubba add-on s. Brought car to Chevy dealer had them change the switch and haven't had that problem in five years.
Good luck
CJ
But here is what I suggest you do. The next time it doesn't start. Push start the car. After the engine fires up, look at the speedo console. Is the SECURITY light on? If it is then you have an ignition switch problem or Bubba has cobbled up the wiring maybe by adding an extra anti-thief, custom stereo or other extra electrical something. If he did, get rid of that junk first!
Try your spare key first that might work, those chips on the key can go bad some kind of way.
This is what happened to me, I kicked, cussed and was ready to burn the damn thing to the ground until one night after push starting I noticed the SECURITY light on. I didn't have any Bubba add-on s. Brought car to Chevy dealer had them change the switch and haven't had that problem in five years.
Good luck
CJ
1994 Admiral Blue ZZZZZR1
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,688
Likes: 127
From: Jarrettsville, md
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car again no start this time for 3 weeks new battery clutch overide and vats bypass switch told need possible new wire harness do they sell this or is there something else that can be done . car drove fine waited two days to take it out again no start car has started once in three weeks since. its a 1990 zr1 77k
When did you fix these items and when did you start having problems?
Do you see a security light when you open the door?
Do you have a spare set of keys?
Have you posted up or seen the club forum / website? www.zr1netregistry.com and http://www.zr1.net/forum/
David
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,182
Likes: 101
From: Pendleton IN
The magnets in the starter will swell due to moisture. I managed the Neochem and Powder Depts in the facility where the Neodydmium Iron Boron magnets were pioneered while at GM/Magnequench.
If the magnet is not epoxy impreganted/coated well, it will fail from too tight of tolerences due to swelling.
If the magnet is not epoxy impreganted/coated well, it will fail from too tight of tolerences due to swelling.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 366
Likes: 10
From: NEW JERSEY
car just in last 3 weeks had new battery installed vats overide installed clutch overide installed car drove great after new battery then the no start issue came back security light is on unitl you try to start car and it goes away.i do think bubba wired something just not sure what if it was starter wouldnt make that clicking noise this car makes no noise once key is turned and radio and lights work fine.
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 379
Likes: 10
From: N'Awlins
Whichvette, doesn't make any difference if the light goes off when you turn the key. When you push start, you over ride the signal the chip on the key is sending to the electronics for cranking. After starting the electronics is telling the DIC something is wrong and lights the SECURITY light. Hope this helps, my terminology for explaining electrical gismos is severely lacking.
Just push start next time and eliminate that as the problem.
Just push start next time and eliminate that as the problem.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 42
From: Baltimore, MD USA
Follow the 12 volts and you'll find the problem.
12 volts from the ignition switch when in Start mode
goes to a Yellow wire at the Starter Enable relay.
At the same time, the CCM grounds the Black wire at the
Starter Enable relay if the key pellet resistance is correct.
Relay closes and 12 volts passes thru the
relay and out on the Yellow/Black wire that
goes to the Clutch Safety switch.
12 volts passes thru the Clutch Saftey switch
to a Purple wire which goes to the Starter
Solenoid.
Note: The Purple wire at the Starter Solenoid is a push on
Spade lug connection. Some people replace the connector
with a ring lug type connector.
The Starter Enable relay is located below the dash cluster.
If the starter doesn't engage and the key pellet value
is correct, you should still hear a faint click from the Starter
Enable relay when the ignition key is in the Start position.
If you don't hear a click, the relay could be bad or the
CCM is not grounding the Black wire.
12 volts from the ignition switch when in Start mode
goes to a Yellow wire at the Starter Enable relay.
At the same time, the CCM grounds the Black wire at the
Starter Enable relay if the key pellet resistance is correct.
Relay closes and 12 volts passes thru the
relay and out on the Yellow/Black wire that
goes to the Clutch Safety switch.
12 volts passes thru the Clutch Saftey switch
to a Purple wire which goes to the Starter
Solenoid.
Note: The Purple wire at the Starter Solenoid is a push on
Spade lug connection. Some people replace the connector
with a ring lug type connector.
The Starter Enable relay is located below the dash cluster.
If the starter doesn't engage and the key pellet value
is correct, you should still hear a faint click from the Starter
Enable relay when the ignition key is in the Start position.
If you don't hear a click, the relay could be bad or the
CCM is not grounding the Black wire.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 379
Likes: 10
From: N'Awlins
Using the wiring diagram in the last post sounds like the best way anyhow
Last edited by 40ZR1; Jun 15, 2011 at 01:49 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
You'll find it directly. Keep us informed as you go. Good luck,
P.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 916
Likes: 0
From: NC
This is a common problem. Research previous posts here and, as David suggested, on the ZR1 registry. I know it may seem complicated but our group knows these cars very well. One of the perks of being a Z owner. Post what you find out.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Guys I dont mean to change the discussion But I see you said that moisture can cause a starter issue? How do you stop that ? Heres what I wondering. I am looking at getting a 1990z and it will be in my garage but vehicles still sweat in the winter time in there how can I prevent this issue with the starter? I cant totally seal the garage ( the way its built) . and the thing is, I am getting the vette and then I have to go away for a while and work ( 12-16 months) .I can have someone start it on a weekly basis . what would you do? would placing some heat rod ( like in safes) under the hood and under the car help stop it along with a car cover?
Maybe I can put a fan with a humidstat.. but still the moisture / starter issue ? I dont want a nice car and come back and have issues. Thanks
Maybe I can put a fan with a humidstat.. but still the moisture / starter issue ? I dont want a nice car and come back and have issues. Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,182
Likes: 101
From: Pendleton IN
The magnets are impreganted with an epoxy compound. This compound keeps the alloy from rusting. As long as the compund and cure time were correct when manufactred, the magnets will be ok.
It's when someone power washes the engine or steam cleans it, that moisture gets onto the starter. This "could" cause the starter to have issues.
It's when someone power washes the engine or steam cleans it, that moisture gets onto the starter. This "could" cause the starter to have issues.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,303
Likes: 714
From: Bartlett IL
Another issue with the starter is the plenum drain piping. Over time, that tends to clog up w debris and dust. Consequently, you could very well have a puddle of water sitting under the starter. Pays to pull plenum and clean out that drain and any water in the valley.