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2002 starting problem

Old Jun 30, 2008 | 01:52 PM
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Default 2002 starting problem

I bought a used 2002 vette with only 11k miles on it from a chevy dealer. It is a 1 owner car with a clean carfax. I am the proud 2nd owner. Yesterday while my wife ran into Dunkin Donuts, I stayed in the car with the motor and ignition turned off while listening to the CD player. When she returned after not more then 10 minutes, the vette didn't start. There was no cranking, clicking, or sound of any kind. After about 2 minutes and 4 tries to start it, it started right up. I had no info sent to me on the CID. volts were normal. Can anyone enlighten me on what's going on before I leave it at the chevy dealer and they probably tell me that nothing is wrong.
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Zepvette
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Old Jun 30, 2008 | 01:57 PM
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In two different cars I've had and/or dealt with, when I heard NOTHING-not even a clicking noise, it was just a loose battery connection. Always check the obvious first.
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Old Jun 30, 2008 | 02:00 PM
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Default Possible Bad Battery

Originally Posted by Zepvette
I bought a used 2002 vette with only 11k miles on it from a chevy dealer. It is a 1 owner car with a clean carfax. I am the proud 2nd owner. Yesterday while my wife ran into Dunkin Donuts, I stayed in the car with the motor and ignition turned off while listening to the CD player. When she returned after not more then 10 minutes, the vette didn't start. There was no cranking, clicking, or sound of any kind. After about 2 minutes and 4 tries to start it, it started right up. I had no info sent to me on the CID. volts were normal. Can anyone enlighten me on what's going on before I leave it at the chevy dealer and they probably tell me that nothing is wrong.
Thank you,
Zepvette
Hi, Congrats on your new vette. You have a very low mileage car, but it is 6 years old, and obviously not used a lot. Check the Battery , have a load test done, at a place like Advance Auto Parts or Autozone or similar, if it is weak and going bad they will offer to replace it with a new battery and no labor charge. If it is good, check the cable ends both of them at the battery and starter, and fuse block in the engine bay for cleanliness and tightness. If the Battery is original, I'll bet it's on it's way to Battery Heaven. The symptoms you describe is exactly the way they go and usually with no warning, they just gradually lose their ability to hold a charge and then fall below the volts and current needed to start a car.
Good Luck
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Old Jun 30, 2008 | 02:02 PM
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I had a strange problem similar to this and this may be your problem...

After I purchased my '02 with 25K on the clock, I had noticed that it would sometime just not start. I had the car checked out... the battery was good, the alternator was good, and there was no electrical leak from the battery after shutdown. After a few months, I finally discovered the problem: the cables on my battery would get loose. When I say loose, I am not talking about dangling of the battery or even loose enough that you could easily rotate the battery cables at the battery connection... just not super tight. The connection to the battery needs to be very good. I cleaned the terms and used lock-tite on the battery screws and the problem never occurred again.
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Old Jun 30, 2008 | 02:06 PM
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Had exactly the same issue -- loose battery cables. Engine compartment temperature makes metal expaand slightly -- or contract -- leading to intermittant contacts. Just tighten the cable connections, and you're good to go.
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Old Jun 30, 2008 | 02:40 PM
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Sounds like we nailed this one
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Old Jun 30, 2008 | 09:10 PM
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Thank you for responding and for the good advice. I'm going to my personal mechanic tomorrow before going to the dealer. I purchased a 3 year bumper to bumper but I trust my friend more then the dealer. I viewed your pics and I have to say, nice vette. This is my 3rd. I had a 78 for 5 years. AN 80 L-82 which I still own going on 8 years. Just got the 02 a month ago. I'll let you know what happens
Brad from New York
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Old Jun 30, 2008 | 09:15 PM
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Thank you for responding and for the good advice. I'm going to my personal mechanic tomorrow before going to the dealer. I purchased a 3 year bumper to bumper but I trust my friend more then the dealer. I viewed your pics and I have to say, nice vette. This is my 3rd. I had a 78 for 5 years. AN 80 L-82 which I still own going on 8 years. Just got the 02 a month ago. I'll let you know what happens
Brad from New York
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Old Jun 30, 2008 | 09:19 PM
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Thank you for responding and for the good advice. I'm going to my personal mechanic tomorrow before going to the dealer. I purchased a 3 year bumper to bumper but I trust my friend more then the dealer. I viewed your pics and I have to say, nice vette. This is my 3rd. I had a 78 for 5 years. AN 80 L-82 which I still own going on 8 years. Just got the 02 a month ago. I'll let you know what happens. Hopefully I will get to the bottom of this. If I wanted problems I would just continue driving the 80.
Brad from New York
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Old Jun 30, 2008 | 09:21 PM
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Thank you for responding and for the good advice. I'm going to my personal mechanic tomorrow before going to the dealer. I purchased a 3 year bumper to bumper but I trust my friend more then the dealer. I viewed your pics and I have to say, nice vette. This is my 3rd. I had a 78 for 5 years. AN 80 L-82 which I still own going on 8 years. Just got the 02 a month ago. I'll let you know what happens
Brad from New York
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Old Jun 30, 2008 | 09:39 PM
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Hi There,
Congratulations on the new vette & welcome to the forum.I would think you have loose or corroded battery cables.Try to wiggle them back & forth to see if they are loose.Torque is 11ft.lbs.If your car has the original battery,replace it with a new load tested battery.For your own benefit please fill out your profile.PS:Brad, I bought my 01 coupe in Belham Manor,New York. Are you close by?
robsc501

Last edited by robsc501; Jun 30, 2008 at 09:46 PM.
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Old Jul 1, 2008 | 08:03 PM
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Hi There,
My mechanic was so busy today that I couldn't even get in his lot. On the bright side, between yesterday and today, she started up a dozen times. I have never heard of Belham Manor. I live in Nassau County which is on Long Island, about 45 minutes east of Manhatten. I will get around to filling out my profile and posting a pic of the 80 as well as the 02. Have a great day.
Brad
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Old Jul 1, 2008 | 09:19 PM
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Since your profile isn't filled out and you didn't mention it anywhere in your question, I'll first assume it's a 6 speed. Are you sure you had the clutch all the way to the floor. If so, the interlock switch for the clutch may be intermittent. If it's an automatic, maybe the neutral/park switch wasn't engaged or is intermittent. A dead battery wouldn't have no click of any kind, then suddenly start up fine. Loose connections would, also check the red wire connection to the starter. If it's loose, you'll get the same symptoms as at the battery.
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Old Jul 1, 2008 | 09:22 PM
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You Need A New Battery
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Old Jul 1, 2008 | 10:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Z06ster
I had a strange problem similar to this and this may be your problem...

After I purchased my '02 with 25K on the clock, I had noticed that it would sometime just not start. I had the car checked out... the battery was good, the alternator was good, and there was no electrical leak from the battery after shutdown. After a few months, I finally discovered the problem: the cables on my battery would get loose. When I say loose, I am not talking about dangling of the battery or even loose enough that you could easily rotate the battery cables at the battery connection... just not super tight. The connection to the battery needs to be very good. I cleaned the terms and used lock-tite on the battery screws and the problem never occurred again.
exactly the same for my 02 Z
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