Turn Key, but Nothing

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Oct 4, 2011 | 04:10 AM

Qweklain

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 279

Likes: 0

From: MN

Turn Key, but Nothing

Every once in awhile when I go to start my 02' Z06, it does not get anything. I put the key in and turn, but nothing happens. I have no "column lock" issues or and "pull key" issues either. Everything else comes on as normal when I turn the key to "on" (radio, gauge needles flash), but that's it.

Whenever it has happened before I usually take the key out wait a couple seconds and try it again, it fires up, and away I go. Last night when I got in to go to work, it took me numerous amount of tries before I got it to work and needless to say, I was pissed. My guess is the key solenoid or w/e you call it that is engaged by the key is going bad, but this is my first vette' so I could be way off.

Oct 4, 2011 | 08:24 AM

bartsky

Safety Car

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 4,541

Likes: 385

From: Fort Worth Texas

Might try cleaning the key pellet with some alcohol. Could also be ignition switch as well. I'm sure others will chime in that have had same problem.

Oct 4, 2011 | 08:59 AM

Bill Vett

Safety Car

Joined: Feb 2001

Posts: 3,725

Likes: 53

From: Warrington Pa.

How many keys do you have on the key ring? With the weight of the fob alone and how it dangles excess keys will wear the switch. I only have the fob and nothing else on my key ring.

Oct 4, 2011 | 10:30 AM

whitesmokels1

Pro

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 691

Likes: 19

From: Los Angeles

Use a test light and probe the small wire on the starter to see if you are getting power to the starter. I had a starter go out a few months ago and it seemed to do the same thing. It just got progressively worse.

Oct 4, 2011 | 02:06 PM

dgrant3830

Tech Contributor

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 10,962

Likes: 29

From: Van Buren Arkansas

Wounded Warrior Escort '11

If the security light continues to flash, then the pellet isn't being read by the contacts at the entrance to the ignition. Codes will verify that too. The other two possible causes is the ignition switch itself or the solenoid.

Oct 5, 2011 | 03:38 AM

Qweklain

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 279

Likes: 0

From: MN

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgrant3830

Now that I think about it, I can distinctly remember that flashing and looking funny to me, but at the same time not paying attention to if that makes sense. In fact I know it is key related, and I certainly hope that is i specifically my key. The vats and rubber around it are pretty beaten up as this key is an original and has 148k+ miles of useage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bartsky

Might try cleaning the key pellet with some alcohol. Could also be ignition switch as well. I'm sure others will chime in that have had same problem.

I will be sure to clean it when I get home today, but I am definitely going to get myself a new key and a couple extras just in case now that I know I can get blanks for $6 and ground for probably $2-5.

Oct 5, 2011 | 07:54 AM

dgrant3830

Tech Contributor

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 10,962

Likes: 29

From: Van Buren Arkansas

Wounded Warrior Escort '11

Know that there are a lot of different keys due to the pellets on each. Your new key's pellet must match the original pellet's resistance.

Oct 5, 2011 | 05:13 PM

cor28vettes

Race Director

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 11,195

Likes: 1,139

From: Santa Rosa Beach FL

I had the issue OP described. After a little searching in the tech forum I tried banging the starter solenoid with a piece of wood while the ign sw was being turned towards start at the same time. Started right up. When it happended a 2nd time & it started with a bang I replaced the solenoid/starter with a brand new one from CarQuest. Dlr only has rebuilds. Mechanic says these solenoids are all Made in China & I don't doubt that.

I'm going to put the good starter portion up FS.