C5 won't crank!! Tried almost everything!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2012
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C5 won't crank!! Tried almost everything!
99' FRC, won't crank over!! I have done some research on it, but I still can't figure it out. It is not an intermittent issue. It is not the starter or the solenoid, I have jumped the TDR to verify. There is not 12 volts to the purple wire on the starter. Also the relay itself is not bad, just bought a brand new one and tried it today, still nothing. I've pulled codes, none seem related to the starting issue. I have had an issue with the security light before. It has come on when driving, but only when driving "spirited". Hard cornering or rough roads seem to make it come on. Now the light is flashing when I put the key in, but when I turn the key on it goes away. Also the car is a 6 speed, have not checked the clutch switch before but I have never had to have it pushed in to start the car before, I assume the previous owner bypassed it. Anyone have any ideas?? I'm pretty lost on this one. 
Any help is greatly appreciated!
Any help is greatly appreciated!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 23
From: Anaheim CA
He might not have bypassed it, it may have always been bad: it wouldn't be the first switch that went from hard-failed closed to hard-failed open over time.
Thread Starter
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 569
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From: South Shore, KY
In addition to that...
You have probably already done this but clean your key really good. Also make sure it isn't worn to where it may be "sloppy" while you're driving. I had that issue with my car when I got it and the older key was worn and the pellet was not making constant contact so my security light would come on. At times it would do that and the car would not start, no cranking, nothing!! I bought a new key and never had the problem again.
You have probably already done this but clean your key really good. Also make sure it isn't worn to where it may be "sloppy" while you're driving. I had that issue with my car when I got it and the older key was worn and the pellet was not making constant contact so my security light would come on. At times it would do that and the car would not start, no cranking, nothing!! I bought a new key and never had the problem again.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
If the pellet is loose in the key that might be it, Mine did that and I went and got the back-up key and it worked like a champ.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Anaheim CA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
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From: Columbia SC
Having the car not crank when you jumper the TDR relay circuit has NOTHING to do with the ignition switch if you are jumpering the TDR relay correctly. Please review this circuit and then we can discuss. Feel free to PM me with your phone number. If proper jumpering the relay does not work then we will figure out what is wrong in the circuit.
Note if you jumper the relay correctly to crank, you better have it in neutral for manual or Park for an Auto. You will be jumpering the Red and Purple wires at the relay.
Note if you jumper the relay correctly to crank, you better have it in neutral for manual or Park for an Auto. You will be jumpering the Red and Purple wires at the relay.
Thread Starter
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Didn't get a chance to take a look at it last night, been really busy with work. I should be able to take a look tonight. Sorry if I wasn't clear, the car does turn over when you jump the TDR. That's why I determined it wasn't the starter or solenoid. Right now I am guessing it's the ignition or the clutch switch is broken. I'll update everyone later tonight on what I find!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2012
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Having the car not crank when you jumper the TDR relay circuit has NOTHING to do with the ignition switch if you are jumpering the TDR relay correctly. Please review this circuit and then we can discuss. Feel free to PM me with your phone number. If proper jumpering the relay does not work then we will figure out what is wrong in the circuit.
Note if you jumper the relay correctly to crank, you better have it in neutral for manual or Park for an Auto. You will be jumpering the Red and Purple wires at the relay.
Note if you jumper the relay correctly to crank, you better have it in neutral for manual or Park for an Auto. You will be jumpering the Red and Purple wires at the relay.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
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Hey just got a chance to take another look at things today. I have determined that it is not the clutch switch. It was not bypassed, it has just failed at some point, however it failed closed and has stayed that way. Will be getting a new clutch switch as well, but unfortunately not the problem. Also the TDR itself isn't bad, just put a brand new OEM one in today. So this has eliminated all but the key I believe, and like I said I don't have a spare. How do I go about getting a spare key with the same pellet on it as mine?
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 569
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From: South Shore, KY
You can buy a blank on eBay for about $15 (that's what it was the last time I bought one). You will need to test the Ohms on your current key pellet with a multimeter. The seller I bought mine from on eBay had a chart that would let you know which key you had (ex. VAT 4, VAT 5, etc.) depending on what you find when testing the Ohms. Then you can buy that blank and have it cut.
My car for example has a VAT 5 key. Bought the blank and my local GM dealer cut it for me. I know the guy in parts there so he hooked me up. Probably still wouldn't have been too expensive since I just needed the key cut.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
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So does that narrow it down to the key being bad? I'm going to get a spare key regardless because I feel I need a spare. Could it still be a problem with ignition itself not just the key? Anything I should check before getting 2 new keys?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,413
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From: Rio Rancho NM
You can clean the contacts up just for the hell of it since you are waiting doesn't take long and simple..
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ch-repair.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ch-repair.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
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From: Columbia SC
No. It could be the key, the ignition "key pellet reader/sensor", the BCM, or a wiring/connector circuit issue.
