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Cannot start my 2002 C5. Please help!!!

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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 02:28 PM
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Default Cannot start my 2002 C5. Please help!!!

I apologize in advance for the long post but figured I'd give all the details for proper assistance.
I replaced my battery because it was completely dead after not starting it for 4 days. I was able to replace it and I'm still unable to start my 2002 C5 Coupe. How can I determine if the issue is the alternator or the starter? Any ideas please share, in addition provide any repair/parts costs you think I will incur. The headlights, radio, heat, and horn are all working if that helps at all. When I go to start it there is a very faint (popping of a light bulb sound, best way I can describe). 6 speed manual by the way. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 03:04 PM
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try pulling the codes and posting them here. They will help people give you some direction. you might also want to post in the tech section. below is a link to show you how to get the codes from your dic. Very cool feature of the C5.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...odes-dtcs.html
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 03:09 PM
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Originally Posted by CLvette
I apologize in advance for the long post but figured I'd give all the details for proper assistance.
I replaced my battery because it was completely dead after not starting it for 4 days. I was able to replace it and I'm still unable to start my 2002 C5 Coupe. How can I determine if the issue is the alternator or the starter? Any ideas please share, in addition provide any repair/parts costs you think I will incur. The headlights, radio, heat, and horn are all working if that helps at all. When I go to start it there is a very faint (popping of a light bulb sound, best way I can describe). 6 speed manual by the way. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
You are saying it won't crank over and just clicks when you try to start it?
Did you fully charge the new battery before you installed it?
Clean terminals?
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 03:14 PM
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Originally Posted by CLvette
I apologize in advance for the long post but figured I'd give all the details for proper assistance.
I replaced my battery because it was completely dead after not starting it for 4 days. I was able to replace it and I'm still unable to start my 2002 C5 Coupe. How can I determine if the issue is the alternator or the starter? Any ideas please share, in addition provide any repair/parts costs you think I will incur. The headlights, radio, heat, and horn are all working if that helps at all. When I go to start it there is a very faint (popping of a light bulb sound, best way I can describe). 6 speed manual by the way. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Sounds like a weak battery connection. check your connections again.
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 03:16 PM
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A fully charged battery and clean, tight battery terminals solve a lot of problems with these cars.
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 03:41 PM
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Battery is brand new. Used a volt meter to confirm and both pos and bed are at 12.3. Sounds silly but what's the best way to clean the terminals? If necessary I will pull the codes. Please keep any ideas coming thank you all again.
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 03:45 PM
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Originally Posted by CLvette
Battery is brand new. Used a volt meter to confirm and both pos and bed are at 12.3. Sounds silly but what's the best way to clean the terminals? If necessary I will pull the codes. Please keep any ideas coming thank you all again.
A fully charged battery should be 12.6v or more. Sounds like weak battery. Brand new batteries are not always fully charged off the shelf.

It's not 12 volts it's 12.6 because each cell is 2.1 volts.

If the battery is

12.5 = 85% charged
12.4 = 65%
12.3 = 50%
12.2 = 35%
12.1 = drained
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 03:49 PM
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It could be a bad starter...
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 03:55 PM
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Originally Posted by vetintheblood
It could be a bad starter...
Yes, if the battery and cables are clean and tight and it still won't crank over could be starter, starter relay or cable connection at starter.
He needs to make sure battery is fully charged first. Can work from there.
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 04:13 PM
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Do the interior and radio lights dim or flicker when you try to start the car and it clicks like you described? If so, then the battery is no good or drained.

If nothing happens other a click, then it could be the starter.
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 04:24 PM
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Originally Posted by JR-01
A fully charged battery should be 12.6v or more. Sounds like weak battery. Brand new batteries are not always fully charged off the shelf.

It's not 12 volts it's 12.6 because each cell is 2.1 volts.

If the battery is

12.5 = 85% charged
12.4 = 65%
12.3 = 50%
12.2 = 35%
12.1 = drained
Make sure its fully charged!
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 04:44 PM
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First, let me issue a disclaimer...I am no expert...Just relating my experience..I had a no start issue with my 02...In my case it was the starter...The faint popping sound you are hearing is likely the fuel pump...Give the starter a good rap while someone is trying to start the car...If it starts then it is likely the starter....Go to the Tech Forum and do a search for other possible solutions.....
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 04:45 PM
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Originally Posted by cessna10
Make sure its fully charged!
Yes. That is the first thing that needs to be done before anything else. He only showed 12.3 Volts.
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 05:14 PM
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Originally Posted by corvettezman
Do the interior and radio lights dim or flicker when you try to start the car and it clicks like you described? If so, then the battery is no good or drained.

If nothing happens other a click, then it could be the starter.
No dimming.
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 05:19 PM
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[QUOTE=Dag Skagney;1589114057]First, let me issue a disclaimer...I am no expert...Just relating my experience..I had a no start issue with my 02...In my case it was the starter...The faint popping sound you are hearing is likely the fuel pump...Give the starter a good rap while someone is trying to start the car...If it starts then it is likely the starter....Go to the Tech Forum and do a search for other possible solutions.....[/QUOT

Someone suggested the but from what i understand u basically have to put the car on a lift and drop the exhaust in order to get to the starter. And to those who's suggested charging the new battery since it's only at 12.3, I will do this as well. Thank you all. I will make sure to post what the resolution was.
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 05:23 PM
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Someone suggested the but from what u understand u basically have to put the car in a lift and drop the exhaust in order to get to the starter. In addition I will charge the new battery since its only at 12.3 as suggested. Since its a new battery and it's only @12.3 while connected to the terminals is it possible the car is draining the battery or not producing enough voltage if that makes any sense? Sorry electrical is not my stong suit.
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 05:25 PM
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Originally Posted by CLvette
Someone suggested the but from what u understand u basically have to put the car in a lift and drop the exhaust in order to get to the starter. In addition I will charge the new battery since its only at 12.3 as suggested. Since its a new battery and it's only @12.3 while connected to the terminals is it possible the car is draining the battery or not producing enough voltage if that makes any sense? Sorry electrical is not my stong suit.
Did it start OK before the battery went dead?
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To Cannot start my 2002 C5. Please help!!!

Old Mar 5, 2015 | 06:47 PM
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Once again thank you all for the responses it ended up being the fact that the new battery wasn't fully charged. After charging it started right up like the beast that it is.
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 06:52 PM
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Originally Posted by CLvette
Once again thank you all for the responses it ended up being the fact that the new battery wasn't fully charged. After charging it started right up like the beast that it is.
Great. A fully charged battery cures a lot of glitches on these C5s. Always check that first, before you start tearing things apart..
If you go for long periods without running, you should get a battery tender to keep it fully charged.

Last edited by JR-01; Mar 5, 2015 at 06:58 PM.
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 07:54 PM
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Originally Posted by JR-01
A fully charged battery should be 12.6v or more. Sounds like weak battery.
Didn't we do this a couple weeks ago? Interior/underhood lights still on are worth a couple tenths drop...I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt that he actually measured with a voltmeter rather than report the DIC voltage reading.
In any case, 12.3V should still crank.

Last edited by Lee DeRaud; Mar 5, 2015 at 08:01 PM.
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