Really weird thing just happend
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Karnes City Texas
Really weird thing just happend
I drove the vette to a resteraunt this evening. When I finished eating, I went out to start the vette, put the key in, turned the ignition and....nothing 
. The DIC said "Low Fuel" although there was just under a half a tank. I have the CLB from Corvettes of Houston installed. So anyway, I am thinking that I have a low battery, although the seat moves foreward, the lights came on, the window rolls up, etc. I tried several times with the same results. I get out pop the hood and ask someone for a jump. While they are getting their cables, I decide to try "just one more time". So I put the key in, turn the ignition and it starts right up 
. No message on the DIC, the fuel is reading normal. Any ideas on what could have caused this? Because I am at a loss.
. The DIC said "Low Fuel" although there was just under a half a tank. I have the CLB from Corvettes of Houston installed. So anyway, I am thinking that I have a low battery, although the seat moves foreward, the lights came on, the window rolls up, etc. I tried several times with the same results. I get out pop the hood and ask someone for a jump. While they are getting their cables, I decide to try "just one more time". So I put the key in, turn the ignition and it starts right up . No message on the DIC, the fuel is reading normal. Any ideas on what could have caused this? Because I am at a loss.
Team Owner
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 22,830
Likes: 13
From: Columbus Ohio
CI 3-4, 8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10
Start with the obvious stuff.
Have the battery tested. If it started right up and didn't seem to be charging at a higher than normal rate it's probably OK but parts stores will test it for free.
Clean and reinstall the battery cables.
Next step would be to clean the other ends; IE: Cable to the start and the ground.
Have the battery tested. If it started right up and didn't seem to be charging at a higher than normal rate it's probably OK but parts stores will test it for free.
Clean and reinstall the battery cables.
Next step would be to clean the other ends; IE: Cable to the start and the ground.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Karnes City Texas
It is a manual, but the clutch was all the way in, I know this because after the first time, I thought "well maybe the clutch was not all the way in" so I ensured on the following tries it was all the way in. I did not mess with the cables before it started, and it did not seem to be charging at a higher level as it was about 14 which is where it normally is. That being said I will have the battery checked. I am just hoping it is not some other electrical gremlin.
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Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
Likes: 48
From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Also, a question for you guys that have this happen...when you put the key in and turn it and nothing happens..did you hear the fuel pump run? If you listen carefully you can hear it.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,772
Likes: 37
From: Bay Area, CA
FYI promblem has only happened about every 10k miles with me.
Team Owner
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 22,830
Likes: 13
From: Columbus Ohio
CI 3-4, 8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10
You may want to start your own thread since it's hard to track two people with what appear to be similar issues and keep the answers straight.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 18,478
Likes: 3
From: Quincy IL
when I had my old 79 vette, the side mount batt terminals would vibrate loose, so I carried a 5/16th wrench with me. when I sold the car 4 yrs ago, I took the wrench. when I bought my 01 Vette in Feb, I saw the side mount batt terminals, grabbed the wrench, gave them both a quarter turn easily, put the wrench in the back compartment. some thngs never change.
Navigator
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Warren MN
Mine would do that too, everything seened to be ok but no start-------problem was the starter had a dead spot, thats why work -- no work situation, put in first replacement GM starter and it was completly dead, didn't bench test, next starter fixed all. To test, tap on starter with hammer while bumping key to start position, starter may catch, then you know its the starter.
Don't let car fall on you in this test. JACK STANDS I enjoy you all too much to lose you!
Don't let car fall on you in this test. JACK STANDS I enjoy you all too much to lose you!
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 10
From: Monticello MN
Same exact thing happened to me after eating a sweet roll. I ended up cleaning and then dousing the key in alcohol and then inserting and withdrawing it several times in the ignition. The problem has never reoccured. I believe I had gotten something on the key pellet and then perhaps in the ignition switch. Good luck to you! 
Ed
Ed
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,772
Likes: 37
From: Bay Area, CA
Yes security light comes on. I don't mean to hijack the thread. Just telling my own similar experience to let people know its not just one single person.
Last edited by FRChilln; Mar 19, 2010 at 01:09 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
This is a long shot but I remember similar problems a while ago.
The pellet on the key sends a signal to the VATS. If the computer doesn't receive the correct value the security light comes on and the start is inhibited.
Some members were hanging all sorts of stuff on their key rings and the weight was preventing the pellet from making a good contact. If you do carry a load of "accoutrements" try taking them off and just leaving the Vette key on there.
This only applies if you have a security light showing. If that's out it's something else.
If the ignition barrel is worn then its a straight replacement although Bill Curlee posted a great How To Refurbish the ignition barrel. Try a search.
Oh and of course, I could be completely wrong
The pellet on the key sends a signal to the VATS. If the computer doesn't receive the correct value the security light comes on and the start is inhibited.
Some members were hanging all sorts of stuff on their key rings and the weight was preventing the pellet from making a good contact. If you do carry a load of "accoutrements" try taking them off and just leaving the Vette key on there.
This only applies if you have a security light showing. If that's out it's something else.
If the ignition barrel is worn then its a straight replacement although Bill Curlee posted a great How To Refurbish the ignition barrel. Try a search.
Oh and of course, I could be completely wrong
Last edited by DeeGee; Mar 19, 2010 at 01:46 AM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 656
Likes: 5
From: McAlester Oklahoma
Mine has done this as well. Wasnt the battery or battery connections. I ended up cleaning the "pellet" with electrical contact cleaner and applied a tiny dab of di-electric grease. I took and sprayed the connections just inside the ignition switch with the contact cleaner as well. Hasnt happened since, but the security light still comes on. Told the wife that while I am over here in the sand that if she takes the vette to take a can of contact cleaner and a q-tip with her, just in case. I am going to use Bill Curly's ignition switch rebuild when I get home and rebuild mine so that I can clean it real good.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Karnes City Texas
Thanks for all the support, I think, I am going to have the battery tested (although I really don't think that is it, check my starter, clean my key, and pray somewhere in there I fixed it!