HELP! Car won't Start
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Leesburg VA
HELP! Car won't Start
My car won't start. Got in to go home put in the key- my seat moves, turn it on all gauges/lights go through normal movements, then when I go to start nothing but a metalic tink sound. The engine doesn't even try to turn over. I'm showing 11.7 on battery volts, the battery is connected and all the power seems to be good. I read about the resistor on the key so I have cleaned it, used an eraser still the same result. No codes and the security light does not stay on 
This moring it did the same thing but I pulled the key, then tried again and it started no problem. I'm at a loss. 
I'm having someone come and pick me up to take me home and I'm going to bring the spare key to try that tomorrow but any other ideas would be great.
And, I have a 98 M5 with 69K. I have had it for a year and half.
Any help please!
Thanks
BH26
This moring it did the same thing but I pulled the key, then tried again and it started no problem. I'm at a loss. I'm having someone come and pick me up to take me home and I'm going to bring the spare key to try that tomorrow but any other ideas would be great.And, I have a 98 M5 with 69K. I have had it for a year and half.
Any help please!
Thanks
BH26
Last edited by BountyHunter26; Feb 21, 2007 at 12:34 AM.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
From: New York NY
My car won't start. Got in to go home put in the key- my seat moves, turn it on all gauges/lights go through normal movements, then when I go to start nothing but a metalic tink sound. The engine doesn't even try to turn over. I'm showing 11.7 on battery volts, the battery is connected and all the power seems to be good. I read about the resistor on the key so I have cleaned it, used an eraser still the same result. No codes and the security light does not stay on This moring it did the same thing but I pulled the key, then tried again and it started no problem. I'm at a loss. I'm having someone come and pick me up to take me home and I'm going to bring the spare key to try that tomorrow but any other ideas would be great.
And, I have a 98 M5 with 69K. I have had it for a year and half.
Any help please!
Thanks
BH26
This moring it did the same thing but I pulled the key, then tried again and it started no problem. I'm at a loss. I'm having someone come and pick me up to take me home and I'm going to bring the spare key to try that tomorrow but any other ideas would be great.And, I have a 98 M5 with 69K. I have had it for a year and half.
Any help please!
Thanks
BH26
if you hear a repeating clinking noise when you try to turn the ignition on, it is most likely your battery. I have had the same problem, and even though the battery read 11.4 volts, it wasnt enough to turn the ignition on.
The problem is that ignition draws many amps from the battery, and believe it or not, 11.4 or 11.7 volts isnt enough. When the same problem happened to me, I charged the battery using a charger for a few hours, and then no problem, I let it run allowing the alternator to charge it up...
bottom line, you may want to replace the battery...you said you have a 98, so by now you should have gone through your second battery, if not, time to swtich
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Leesburg VA
I don't think its a dead battery (but I will try tomorrow when I bring the extra key) because the engine doesn't turn. The metal tink doesn't sound like it has when I've had a drained battery before. But thanks for the quick responses- thats what I love about this forum
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 0
From: Omaha Nebraska
St. Jude Donor '06
I don't think its a dead battery (but I will try tomorrow when I bring the extra key) because the engine doesn't turn. The metal tink doesn't sound like it has when I've had a drained battery before. But thanks for the quick responses- thats what I love about this forum
Charge the battery, see what it shows right after charging, then what it is the next day. If it's still low or drops overnight, get a new battery.
I'm like anyone and hate to spend money but when you look at it, a battery is one of the cheapest items we put in these cars and will make life so much easier if it works well... Good luck!!!
PS, if the security pill were the issue on the key, I believe the car would NOT attempt to start at all... It would do NOTHING!! Not even click...
Last edited by VRROOOM2; Feb 21, 2007 at 07:08 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,364
Likes: 6
From: Rocky Mount Virginia
I concur with the battery. Remove the negative and check for corrosion first. Also, it could be a dead cell in the battery. It will show a charge and little current-drawing features will work, but trying to start it will instantly kill the battery.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,206
Likes: 4,191
From: Kannapolis NC
And, I have a 98 M5 with 69K. I have had it for a year and half
First, it's probably a MN6 (or C5-whichever you meant). Either way, if it started a few minutes later, you could have corroded or loose battery connections or a bad spot in the starter solenoid. Hard to say without hearing the noise, but if you're hearing clicking from the engine compartment, you either don't have enough voltage to engage the solenoid into the starter, or it's bad. My car starts fine showing 10.8 on the DIC, I tried it yesterday. If you can catch it doing it, try loosening and wiggle and retighten the battery cable connection. If it works, remove and clean the connections and reattach.
First, it's probably a MN6 (or C5-whichever you meant). Either way, if it started a few minutes later, you could have corroded or loose battery connections or a bad spot in the starter solenoid. Hard to say without hearing the noise, but if you're hearing clicking from the engine compartment, you either don't have enough voltage to engage the solenoid into the starter, or it's bad. My car starts fine showing 10.8 on the DIC, I tried it yesterday. If you can catch it doing it, try loosening and wiggle and retighten the battery cable connection. If it works, remove and clean the connections and reattach.
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,208
Likes: 2
From: Rochester MN
CI 5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
NCM Ambassador
Hey BH,
Are you sure you're depressing the clutch pedal far enough? I'd add the interlock switch on the clutch to the list of potential causes....
Are you sure you're depressing the clutch pedal far enough? I'd add the interlock switch on the clutch to the list of potential causes....
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
If it is an issue such as the key pellet, the car will store a DTC. Check for stored DTC's using the DIC. For info on how to do this (if you haven't done it before) can be found at:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...D=26&TopicID=1
Post the DTC codes in this thread and we'll see if you have an issue other than the battery. Most likely, though, it's your battery.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...D=26&TopicID=1
Post the DTC codes in this thread and we'll see if you have an issue other than the battery. Most likely, though, it's your battery.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,545
Likes: 17
From: Bartlett Tennessee
