2002 C5 - Hesitating during cold start
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
From: Portland/Hillsboro OR
2002 C5 - Hesitating during cold start
I have noticed this for a while but did not worry about it much. In the day time when I start it for the first time, it hesitates before starting. But after that is seems fine when I start it again. It again happens when the car sits for a couple of hours and I try to start it again.
Today, it really hesitated when I was heading out for lunch at work. I am worried it might not start when I am heading back home.
Any clues why this is happening? Any fix? Anyway I can troubleshoot?
The car has 24,000 miles on it (2002 vert).
Thanks all.
Titus
Today, it really hesitated when I was heading out for lunch at work. I am worried it might not start when I am heading back home.
Any clues why this is happening? Any fix? Anyway I can troubleshoot?
The car has 24,000 miles on it (2002 vert).
Thanks all.
Titus
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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What is the state of your battery? I would look there first. I would also check all grounds and connections to the battery and starter and make sure they are clean and tight. Also check your alternator connections. Good luck 
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
From: Portland/Hillsboro OR
While battery might be a suspect (it got discharged recently when I forgot to turn off interior lights), but why would the problem be during the first instance of starting after the car has been sitting for a while? I have tried turning it off and then starting it again and this time it doesn't hesitate.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
From: Portland/Hillsboro OR
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,366
Likes: 5,244
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
While battery might be a suspect (it got discharged recently when I forgot to turn off interior lights), but why would the problem be during the first instance of starting after the car has been sitting for a while? I have tried turning it off and then starting it again and this time it doesn't hesitate.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
From: Portland/Hillsboro OR
The longer the car sits the more the battery drains. Once you have started it or driven it for a period the battery gets a charge from the alternantor. Since you had the incident where the battery ran down you may have a dead cell. I would load test the battery and replace it if necessary.
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