[Z06] won't start, low oil level???
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: iowa
won't start, low oil level???
okay, park the car after a trip to drop daughter off, come out car will start for a couple seconds till the low oil level warning comes up then it shuts off!!! Checked oil level and it is fine, added 1/2 qrt just in case, car was parked on an incline, but I have parked there many times. Car ran fine prior to this, wtf is going on???!! When I get it running this thing is going to turn into something else, can u say viper! O, oil pressure gauge is up to over 40lbs when it shuts off, I can't stand stupid problems like this.
Thread Starter
Instructor
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From: iowa
well got it running, not sure how, think it may have been the steering lock, wiggled the wheel some, a friend tried to start it and as it tried to die he hit the key again and it stayed running. I have started it in my shop a couple times now and the low oil level is now off and it is alittle over full. I only put maybe 1/2 a qrt in it so I am more than alittle confused by the whole thing. This sort of thing just drives me bonckers as you could probably tell, will check oil level again tomorrow and will check the sensor other than that I don't know what the hell to do lol.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,674
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From: Atlanta GA
I think you should sell it and buy a nice camry or accord, you don't have enough patience to own a high performance car.
If you buy a viper, as noted in your post, take a look at insurance and/or repair costs (mainly for body parts) and see if you still are in love with owning one.
If you buy a viper, as noted in your post, take a look at insurance and/or repair costs (mainly for body parts) and see if you still are in love with owning one.
Thread Starter
Instructor
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From: iowa
I pushed it to a level spot and checked the oil. Don't need smartazz comments, any ideas on why it did what it did. O and I have enuff patience to take a big block in and out of my 71 z/28 by myself, its just electrical things like this that really try my patience. I really have been thinking a viper will be my next toy, I like my vette, but I like to try different things, you only live once. Had an srt10 pick up, really miss that big v10 at times.
Thread Starter
Instructor
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From: iowa
thinking it may be a fuel pump relay, car did it again this morning, starts and as it idles down it will die sometimes, but if you turn the key at the right time it will stay running, hope that makes some sence. So next step I suppose is to get under it and look at some connections. Got some codes to check also.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: iowa
ok, no codes and the low oil level wasn't, now its alittle over full and yes on level ground lol. So I guess I should maybe try a new relay if there is one for the pump? I was alos wondering if it could be the little chip in the key not getting contact, so I suppose I should try and find the other key to try.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
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From: iowa
am I missing something simple? The car has never done this before, I did just fill with fuel at a kwik trip and used premium, wonder if I got a bunch of crappy gas. I did notice n the way home my mileage was falling of some but heck the wind could cause that. Just what I need more grey hair lol
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta GA
I would order a Column lock bypass just to rule that out and also make sure the connections on your battery are nice and tight. When was the last time a battery was put in the car? You may want to go by a local autoparts store and have them load test your battery too.
Thread Starter
Instructor
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From: iowa
ah its got a yellow top optima battery, checked all connections seem fine. Put some gas treatment in it and it has been starting, but the weather is bad right now so I haven't driven it. I suppose the 1st time I shut it off away from home it won't start right. lol I don't think its a column lock issue from what I have read, but I will do some more reading on it. I hope it was the gas, but jeez I can't imagine how watered down or ****ty the gas would be before a car wouldn't start. The thing was starting right up, just as it idled down it would try and dye unless the key was moved to start it again. I think the roads are dry now so iwill go drive it .
Thread Starter
Instructor
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From: iowa
well wnet for a drive, made it about 100yards and it died, while it was coasting in gear I hit the key and it started. Got it home and let it idle for about 1/2 hr and then went into town and topped off the tank with some ethanol. Drove it around awhile and seemed fine, went out in the country and beat on it awhile, seems to be runniing smoother. I just can't believe its the gas, and am scared to think of how crappy it would have to be to make a car die, but this all started after I filled.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Picking on the weakest kid in the yard.
I think nobody is able to help you because you have a really unusual problem. I have never heard of it before. Could be many things really. Electrical, Fuel pump, fuel filter, ECU, Ignition switch, etc. Who knows? Good luck getting it figured out. 
Thread Starter
Instructor
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From: iowa
I agree, it could be many things, I wish whatever it is would just break. Its probably just a coincidence that it started after filling with gas. It seems to pull like normal, I have no codes even when it dies, I would think if it was the fuel pump it would just quit. Very frustrating that is for sure. Got some business things going on right now and this is an aggravation I don't need (who does).
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Picking on the weakest kid in the yard.
Yep. Also probably just a coincidence with the low oil warning too. I have gotten that randomly a couple times parking on a slant that I usually don't get it on the same slant. And I have driven for miles with the wanring so I don't think the computer will kill the engine for low oil as long as it still shows oil pressure.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: San Antonio Texas
Yep. Also probably just a coincidence with the low oil warning too. I have gotten that randomly a couple times parking on a slant that I usually don't get it on the same slant. And I have driven for miles with the wanring so I don't think the computer will kill the engine for low oil as long as it still shows oil pressure.
Thread Starter
Instructor
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From: iowa
its got oil pressure so says the gauge, it has been starting fine today, haven't drove it just started it a couple times. I can hear the fuel pump when I turn the key, is it possible that it isn't cycling on all the time? Still raining and crappy out so I don't want to drive it.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: The Great Nation of North Carolina
years back with my first C4 I had this exact same experience. It turned out to be the Fuel Pump /Fuel Level Sending Unit inside the Gas tank.
IT was buming me out beyond belief, I would go to my friends house, then the Car wouldn't start, then it would and I would get half way home. Then it would be fine for a week or two..
I had it towed and repaired, then realized I could have fixed it myself for half the money and about 1/8 the time. As it was the guy the fixed it botched it up and I had to remove the entire assy and redo the gas lines myself anyway.
I guess I would get a C5 Fuel Pump and start there...or at least pull it and see if it can be checked...
IT was buming me out beyond belief, I would go to my friends house, then the Car wouldn't start, then it would and I would get half way home. Then it would be fine for a week or two..
I had it towed and repaired, then realized I could have fixed it myself for half the money and about 1/8 the time. As it was the guy the fixed it botched it up and I had to remove the entire assy and redo the gas lines myself anyway.
I guess I would get a C5 Fuel Pump and start there...or at least pull it and see if it can be checked...