[Z06] z06 wont start.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: elgin il.
z06 wont start.
tried to start my 02 z the other day and nothing. push the clutch, turn the key and its almost as if im trying to start it without pushing the clutch. so i played with it for a while (THE CLUTCH) and it finaly started. go to start it a couple days later and it started but it read "charge fault system". so i turned it off and left it. tried to start it this morning and nothing. i have an amp with an after market head unit in it, could that be part of the problem. or could it be clutch related? thanks in advance for any help
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: elgin il.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,953
Likes: 4
From: either, ca/ohio
tried to start my 02 z the other day and nothing. push the clutch, turn the key and its almost as if im trying to start it without pushing the clutch. so i played with it for a while (THE CLUTCH) and it finaly started. go to start it a couple days later and it started but it read "charge fault system". so i turned it off and left it. tried to start it this morning and nothing. i have an amp with an after market head unit in it, could that be part of the problem. or could it be clutch related? thanks in advance for any help
age of battery, fully charged, trans. in neutral, did you disconnect amp, , daily driver, etc.....
by now you should know that the less you say the less we can help.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: elgin il.
not sure the age of the battery, but it doesnt look to old. theres no corosion on it, not sure if that means anything. i've only had the car for a year and it has 33k miles on it. cant tell if its fully charged ill try to get that info when i get home. the trans is stock and it was in neutral, i did not disconnect the amp i will try that. for mods..... it has a mild comp cam, lt headers, vararam intake, bullet exhaust and a dyno tune. if i sound like a nube its because im am. dont know to much about this stuff.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
Here is what I want you to try:
When you try to start the car and nothing happens, look at the clock and note the time. Leave key in the ignition but just turn it back to the off position. Wait at least three minutes and then try to start the car again. If it starts right up then the problem is with the damn VATS or ignition or PCM/BCM communications.
My experiences:
This issue has set codes in the past: B2721 or P1631.
I have a new CTEK charger attached to my optima red top and am going to experiment from here on out to see if it still does it with a fully charged battery. (at least here at home).
Also have to pick up my new key from the local chevy store: $54
Since I have already removed and cleaned and reinstalled the ignition switch two times which only eliminates the issue for a few dozen starts I will replace the switch next if needed. Even though I have verified the ohm from the pellet several times on it.
New starter just replaced as well when I put my new LS7 clutch kit in. (just in case).
My '01Z only has 35K on it as well.
When you try to start the car and nothing happens, look at the clock and note the time. Leave key in the ignition but just turn it back to the off position. Wait at least three minutes and then try to start the car again. If it starts right up then the problem is with the damn VATS or ignition or PCM/BCM communications.
My experiences:
This issue has set codes in the past: B2721 or P1631.
I have a new CTEK charger attached to my optima red top and am going to experiment from here on out to see if it still does it with a fully charged battery. (at least here at home).
Also have to pick up my new key from the local chevy store: $54
Since I have already removed and cleaned and reinstalled the ignition switch two times which only eliminates the issue for a few dozen starts I will replace the switch next if needed. Even though I have verified the ohm from the pellet several times on it.
New starter just replaced as well when I put my new LS7 clutch kit in. (just in case).
My '01Z only has 35K on it as well.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
Yep, been all over my grounds too. Took them all off and retightened them after looking them over real close. I even wire brushed a few of them were possible.
Oh, the alternator takes a few seconds to kick on. What is the battery voltage on your car prior to starting and then how long before the alternator kicks the voltage up to about 14V?
Oh, the alternator takes a few seconds to kick on. What is the battery voltage on your car prior to starting and then how long before the alternator kicks the voltage up to about 14V?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 925
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas, NV
You can read the battery voltage using your on-board gauges. Use the buttons on the right hand side of the gauge cluster.....insert the key into the ignition and turn to the "ON" position, select button #2 labeled "gauges". You can scroll through til you see the battery voltage.
No tester needed.
No tester needed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
I had this issue when I first got my 03 Z. The problem happen to be that the someone put the negative battery terminal on wrong. It was loose and not making a great connection. Most of the time it would start, but sometimes not right away... A couple of tries while fiddling with it, and it would start again.
I ended up pulling the negative terminal, cleaning the contacts and putting it on nice and tight. It's been nearly 5 months since and I haven't had a single repeat visit of that gremlin. Try cleaning the battery terminal contacts and make sure they're nice a tight.
I ended up pulling the negative terminal, cleaning the contacts and putting it on nice and tight. It's been nearly 5 months since and I haven't had a single repeat visit of that gremlin. Try cleaning the battery terminal contacts and make sure they're nice a tight.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: elgin il.
I had this issue when I first got my 03 Z. The problem happen to be that the someone put the negative battery terminal on wrong. It was loose and not making a great connection. Most of the time it would start, but sometimes not right away... A couple of tries while fiddling with it, and it would start again.
I ended up pulling the negative terminal, cleaning the contacts and putting it on nice and tight. It's been nearly 5 months since and I haven't had a single repeat visit of that gremlin. Try cleaning the battery terminal contacts and make sure they're nice a tight.
I ended up pulling the negative terminal, cleaning the contacts and putting it on nice and tight. It's been nearly 5 months since and I haven't had a single repeat visit of that gremlin. Try cleaning the battery terminal contacts and make sure they're nice a tight.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,087
Likes: 11
From: Austin TX
I had the same problem when I had my car and to fix it I replaced the starter. When I took the original one off the ground was very loose and a post on the starter itself was hanging on by rust. Replace that and report back
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: Pine Colorado
Tighten your battery cables to 89 inch pounds per the FSM. You can do this by removing the hold down block on the bottom of the battery and moving the battery back toward the firewall. After troquing, reattach the hold down block. Apparently torque is critical in the C5s and C6s battery clamps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN the battery cables or you will risk cracking the battery case and suffering from the dreaded acid drip that will ruin the PCM and/or harness which lives directly below the battery....Yep, more GM forethought into that design 
Well, the CTEK did not solve the issue. Let the car charge for over a day and the indicator lite was reading a full charge: DIC displays 11.8 volts and the car did not start. It set my favorite code again: P1631.
Picked up the key from chevy today and of course the car started right up three times. Will keep testing it and see what happens. Going to S.F. early next week for a few days so a long road trip will be a good test.
Well, the CTEK did not solve the issue. Let the car charge for over a day and the indicator lite was reading a full charge: DIC displays 11.8 volts and the car did not start. It set my favorite code again: P1631.
Picked up the key from chevy today and of course the car started right up three times. Will keep testing it and see what happens. Going to S.F. early next week for a few days so a long road trip will be a good test.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: elgin il.
What should I b looking to spend with parts and labor