When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have a problem that is probably not new to someone out there.
I drove my 2004 conv today with no problems-really no problems for months.
Later in the day, went to start the car and nothing.
I checked the battery and the voltage is at 12v. I even had my wife try to start the car and the battery voltage did not change. When you try to start the car, the lights go out. As soon as you come off the start position, the lights come back on. The windows work, all the instruments are at there normal brightness. Pretty sure it is not the battery.
Does this sound like my starter died? Is there a quick way to check the starter? Possibly the fuseable link (if there is one?) to the starter?
If only at 12v then your battery is completely drained. A good battery will still start the car at 12v, but if its weak at all then you probably will have issues. As far as the lights going out, the car cuts all power to unneeded electrics during startup to provide as much power to the starter as possible, so that is definitely normal.
Personally, I would get the battery fully charged and tested, then replace it or install it if its still good and try again. You can put 12 volts directly to the starter and see if it turns over, which would indicate whether you have an issue elsewhere or if the starter itself is bad.
The other thing that is kind of common for these cars is the theft prevention chip thing in the key getting loose or going bad. If you have another key, try it. If not check the little black and silver piece on the key to see if its damaged or loose.
Best of luck, report back after you've narrowed it down, or if you have any other questions.
The very first thing to do is make sure your battery is 100% charged and all terminals are clean and tight. Then go from there.
A fully charged battery should be at least 12.7 volts.
The very first thing to do is make sure your battery is 100% charged and all terminals are clean and tight. Then go from there.
A fully charged battery should be at least 12.7 volts.
A battery problem did seem like the logical choice, but the actual voltage is 11.8v on my voltmeter. Your chart gives me a different picture about battery performance.
I cannot put a jumper on the car to check it until tomorrow and my garage battery charger died some time ago.
For sure sounds like battery. Windows etc need very little juice compared to the starter. When you are hitting the starter you are sending every bit of juice you have to the starter. Hence all other 'stuff' going dark. But there is not enough juice to power the juice hungry starter.
A battery problem did seem like the logical choice, but the actual voltage is 11.8v on my voltmeter. Your chart gives me a different picture about battery performance.
I cannot put a jumper on the car to check it until tomorrow and my garage battery charger died some time ago.
Thanks for all the input.
Technically 12.0 volts is 0% charged in a 12 volt system. That chart is a little off
The only way to tell for sure if the battery is good is to load test it. Example, about a month ago my harley would not start, tried to turn over a little but no start, mutimeter showed 12.6 volts at battery but no start. All lights worked, electric fuel pump pressurized the system normally. Installed new battery and varoom started right up.
the C5 corvette has had numerous problems occur when the voltage of the battery goes below 12.5V. The PCM needs this value or more or problems like non starting, column lock, etc. appear. While voltage is a major factor in a battery, the amount of reserve CCA, cold cranking amperage, is also critical. I would take the batter out of the Corvette and take it to Advance Auto or similar place and have it load tested. At 11.8V that you were getting that would be the normal place to start. IF the starter (usually the solonoid) goes bad, you can test to make sure the solonoid is getting voltage when the key is turned to start. If it is a bad starter sometimes it will start if you have someone bang on the starter when the ignition is turned to start.
Are you just making things up because they make sense to you or do you have any kind of electrical knowledge? Even by the chart you provided, you don't have to be at 0 volts to be 100% discharged.
A battery problem did seem like the logical choice, but the actual voltage is 11.8v on my voltmeter. Your chart gives me a different picture about battery performance.
I cannot put a jumper on the car to check it until tomorrow and my garage battery charger died some time ago.
Thanks for all the input.
Jumping is never a good idea, (JMHO) take the battery out and have it tested at an autozone. They do it for free. Also you can get a battery tender plus for $50.00 here.
Jumping is never a good idea, (JMHO) take the battery out and have it tested at an autozone. They do it for free.
Well, I just did try jumping the battery with my other car. No change. I did check all the fuses next to the battery and under the dash. Could not see any blown fuses. Looks like the starter.
Well, I just did try jumping the battery with my other car. No change. I did check all the fuses next to the battery and under the dash. Could not see any blown fuses. Looks like the starter.
Then give the starter or solenoid a few hits then see if it turns over and starts. That's what I did and found out for sure that it was the solenoid.
If so you get get this Bosch, it's very good.
Bosch SR8581N New Starter
4.8 out of 5 stars (25)
Sold by: Amazon.com
$114.88
In Stock
04-26-2017, 09:02 PM
Car will not start
