car won't start!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 655
Likes: 2
From: Rio Vista ca.
car won't start!
Did I do something to the security system on my 2002 Z06 the other day when I accidently set off the alarm? My car will not start, even after replacing the battery. The battery tested bad, by the way. The tranny's in neutral, Parking break on, and clutch fully depressed, yet when I turn the key I just get a whirring sound. The only thing that has changed since the day before yesterday when the car was running great and always started was my setting off the alarm. Do I have to reset the security system somehow?
Kim
Kim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,312
Likes: 8
From: Frisco Texas
Whirring sound as in the fuel pump engaging??? Does the car not turn over, does it have power, click click click, rur rur rur, click and nothing?
More details on what happens after the key goes in and you turn it.
More details on what happens after the key goes in and you turn it.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 655
Likes: 2
From: Rio Vista ca.
I don't know what the whirring sound is. The engine is definitely not being turned over so if the whirring sound is the starter, it's not engaging. I'm going out to the garage now to try to start the car again. I'll take notes on what is or isn't happening and report back in a few minutes. Thanks for taking the time to help me.
Kim
Kim
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,150
Likes: 4,165
From: Kannapolis NC
If it only "whirs" when you turn the key to start, take a look at the starter and see if you see any broken metal around the starter mounts. I hope not, but make sure the starter is still attached the way it should be so it can engage the flywheel.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 655
Likes: 2
From: Rio Vista ca.
OK, I just tried again and still no start. The whirring sound only lasts a few seconds, then stops. A bunch of dash lights go on including the Check Engine, Active Handling, ABS, Security, and the gauges all cycle to maximum, then minimum. I think the whirring sound must be the fuel pump but I'm not sure.
On page 2-20 in my 2002 owner's manual it states: "Now, if a door or the trunk lid is opened without the key or remote key entry transmitter, the alarm will go off. Your horn will sound for two minutes. AND, YOUR VEHICLE WON'T START (the caps are mine). I am just wondering if, when I set off the alarm yesterday, I caused the security system to keep the car from starting. I'll probably have to have my car towed to the dealer where I bought it on Monday. What a drag! I've only owned this car for 4 days.
On page 2-20 in my 2002 owner's manual it states: "Now, if a door or the trunk lid is opened without the key or remote key entry transmitter, the alarm will go off. Your horn will sound for two minutes. AND, YOUR VEHICLE WON'T START (the caps are mine). I am just wondering if, when I set off the alarm yesterday, I caused the security system to keep the car from starting. I'll probably have to have my car towed to the dealer where I bought it on Monday. What a drag! I've only owned this car for 4 days.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 655
Likes: 2
From: Rio Vista ca.
Update:
Well, I got it to start but I'm not sure what I did to make it work. The owner's manual says that the security system won't arm if you use the power door lock after the door is closed. That's what I did before I stuck the key in the ignition. I turned the key to start and left it in that position until after the whirring stopped (maybe 3 or 4 seconds) and a couple of seconds later the beast fired right up! Maybe that's the way it's supposed to work when the car is cold. When I got back from a 20 minute ride, I turned the engine off and restarted it. The restart was immediate. I'm hoping that I'm just stupid and don't yet know how this car works. I started having starting problems after the first night it sat without driving it for 12 hours or so. So I guess my last (hopefully) question to you guys on this matter is this. When the car is cold, is it normal to have to wait for the fuel pump to do it's thing and a couple more seconds before the starter engages and the car starts?
Thanks for being patient with this old fool.
Kim
Well, I got it to start but I'm not sure what I did to make it work. The owner's manual says that the security system won't arm if you use the power door lock after the door is closed. That's what I did before I stuck the key in the ignition. I turned the key to start and left it in that position until after the whirring stopped (maybe 3 or 4 seconds) and a couple of seconds later the beast fired right up! Maybe that's the way it's supposed to work when the car is cold. When I got back from a 20 minute ride, I turned the engine off and restarted it. The restart was immediate. I'm hoping that I'm just stupid and don't yet know how this car works. I started having starting problems after the first night it sat without driving it for 12 hours or so. So I guess my last (hopefully) question to you guys on this matter is this. When the car is cold, is it normal to have to wait for the fuel pump to do it's thing and a couple more seconds before the starter engages and the car starts?
Thanks for being patient with this old fool.
Kim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 203
From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
Its hard for us to diagnose from here. Your battery was an issue and you replaced it so that should fix what ails your car. Corvette is no different from any other car it requires not time to pressurise fuel system or energise electrical from cold. Just continue driving it as all seems well now. Good luck. Rob
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 219
From: West Branch, MI
The sound you're hearing is the electric fuel pumps pressurizing the fuel system. When you turn your key to the ON position without starting, the pump will run for 2 seconds and then go off if the car isn't started. When you turn the key to try and start the car and nothing happens, then you have to pull the codes to see what the issue is. Might have been a stuck starter solenoid (BC used a wooden stick to "hit" his with in the past to get it "Un-stuck"). Either way, sounds like you've got it going again. I really don't think it had anything to do with the security system though unless you've got the infamous ignition switch problem which might cause the pellet to be read incorrectly. The would keep if from starting as well. Glad you're going again.
