Need help with strange starting problem
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: FL.
Need help with strange starting problem
This has happened to me twice. The first time was the day after I got my car back after a column lock about 2 months ago and this morning. I get in the car, push the clutch to the floor, turn the key and nothing. Plenty of volts but like trying to crank it with the clutch not pushed in. Just completely dead. I kept pushing the clutch to the floor and letting it back up making sure I had it all the way to the floor. After about 10 times, it fired right up like nothing was wrong. Been fine all day long and for the past couple of months since it happened the first time.
I was thinking battery terminal but wouldn't I have to actually mess with it to get it to crank? Not a don't work one second and work the next.
Any ideas? Any known Problems? Oh, it is a 2002 Coupe. Thanks for any help you can offer.
I was thinking battery terminal but wouldn't I have to actually mess with it to get it to crank? Not a don't work one second and work the next.
Any ideas? Any known Problems? Oh, it is a 2002 Coupe. Thanks for any help you can offer.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,956
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis In
It sounds like a clutch safety switch or ignition switch. You know its not the battery starter or nothing to do with the charging system. If (when) it happens again, hold the key in the start position & move the clutch peddle in & out (slightly) to see if catches. If it does, it is in the clutch switch. If nothing, hold the clutch in and wiggle the ignition switch (around in a circle) to see if any action. Also, check to see if the battery is leaking. If so, check under the battery tray for wiring corrosion.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,400
Likes: 3
From: Sarasota Florida
Save yourself months of unnecessary aggravation and read the below thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1609556
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1609556
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,956
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis In
Save yourself months of unnecessary aggravation and read the below thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1609556
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1609556
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
i had same situation. intermittent starting problem. i'd stop for gas & car wouldn't turn over. sometimes after multiple tries, it would just turn over with no issue. tried both key fobs, checked batt voltage. just too intermittent to figure out. finally, 1 day it wouldn't turn over at all. had it towed to dealer who quickly was able to determine bad starter. replaced it, & no further issues. . good luck!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: FL.
Thanks for the link stormrider. That's why I love the forum. Good chance someone has already been through it. Not what I wanted to hear but I still have 4,000 miles left on the GMP. Now how do I convince the dealership that the starter is the problem so they will take care of it.
Last edited by Un4given; Feb 6, 2007 at 09:29 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: FL.
Yes. Thank you Bill. Any advice on the best way to present this to my dealer? I spoke with a service manager today and told him about what I found on here and how I was having the exact same problem. I have an appointment to bring it in on Monday. If they don't change the starter and it turns out that is was the starter after my GMPP expires, is there a way to make sure they will still take care of it?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,400
Likes: 3
From: Sarasota Florida
I don't know how GMPP works, hopefully someone with more knowledge will chime in, but let us know what they tell you on Monday. Hopefully they will at the very least pull the starter and take it apart to see if it is causing your starting issues. My Vette was out of warranty and the Dealership wanted $840 to replace the starter.
I purchased a starter with a lifetime warranty for $144 after the core charge and replaced it myself in about 2-1/2 hours and I had never replaced a starter before this one.
I purchased a starter with a lifetime warranty for $144 after the core charge and replaced it myself in about 2-1/2 hours and I had never replaced a starter before this one.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: FL.
I don't know how GMPP works, hopefully someone with more knowledge will chime in, but let us know what they tell you on Monday. Hopefully they will at the very least pull the starter and take it apart to see if it is causing your starting issues. My Vette was out of warranty and the Dealership wanted $840 to replace the starter. I purchased a starter with a lifetime warranty for $144 after the core charge and replaced it myself in about 2-1/2 hours and I had never replaced a starter before this one.
I purchased a starter with a lifetime warranty for $144 after the core charge and replaced it myself in about 2-1/2 hours and I had never replaced a starter before this one.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,400
Likes: 3
From: Sarasota Florida
Hopefully GMPP will take care of it for you but if not I heard from the electrical Master himself that he is getting ready to replace his starter and he plans on taking lots of instructional pictures. 
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
After flowing through the clutch switch, the current goes directly to the TDR (Theft Deterrent Relay) and activates the relay. If the relay is bad or getting flaky (official electrical term ), it will prevent the starter from getting juice as well. The relay is on the pass. side toeboard fuse panel.
Just some food for thought. Since you're taking it in on Monday, a good tech will check this along with everything else in the starting system too. Notice I said "good tech"? Hopefully you'll have one.
Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
Robert
), it will prevent the starter from getting juice as well. The relay is on the pass. side toeboard fuse panel.Just some food for thought. Since you're taking it in on Monday, a good tech will check this along with everything else in the starting system too. Notice I said "good tech"? Hopefully you'll have one.
Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
Robert
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,400
Likes: 3
From: Sarasota Florida
Yes. Thank you Bill. Any advice on the best way to present this to my dealer? I spoke with a service manager today and told him about what I found on here and how I was having the exact same problem. I have an appointment to bring it in on Monday. If they don't change the starter and it turns out that is was the starter after my GMPP expires, is there a way to make sure they will still take care of it?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: FL.