Won't start, once in a while.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,027
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From: mahopac ny
Won't start, once in a while.
This is the third time that this has happened. Everything working fine, stop to go into store, come out and it won't start. All guages light up, radio works, windows ect. When I turn the key the guages light up but no sound from under the hood, not even the starter clicking, nothing. It has happened three times about 6 months apart each time. What is strange is that after several minutes it starts right up, no codes everything works fine 
. This first happened about 18 months ago and twice since then so I don't think it's battery related but I could be wrong. Any ideas? Thanks.
. This first happened about 18 months ago and twice since then so I don't think it's battery related but I could be wrong. Any ideas? Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 58,515
Likes: 70
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
welcome to the club 
I have been fighting this for about a year now and just this morning I took my car to the dealer to have the ignition cylinder replaced.
Check your codes and see if you are getting anything... I bet a dollar that you are getting a code about the VATS system. It appears that the ignition wears out and these tiny little wires that read the resistance across the "chip" in teh key start to break.
Clutchdust just went throught the same problem and this is how his was fixed.
the search function isnt finding any of my old threads about this problem
... I will keep looking though
Happy reading
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ighlight=P1631
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ighlight=P1631
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ighlight=P1631
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ighlight=P1631
couple from another board...
http://corvettemechanic.com/board/in...&f=3&t=893&hl=
http://corvettemechanic.com/board/in...ST&f=3&t=1415&
I have been fighting this for about a year now and just this morning I took my car to the dealer to have the ignition cylinder replaced.
Check your codes and see if you are getting anything... I bet a dollar that you are getting a code about the VATS system. It appears that the ignition wears out and these tiny little wires that read the resistance across the "chip" in teh key start to break.
Clutchdust just went throught the same problem and this is how his was fixed.
the search function isnt finding any of my old threads about this problem
... I will keep looking thoughHappy reading
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ighlight=P1631
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ighlight=P1631
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ighlight=P1631
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ighlight=P1631
couple from another board...
http://corvettemechanic.com/board/in...&f=3&t=893&hl=
http://corvettemechanic.com/board/in...ST&f=3&t=1415&
Last edited by bsmith; Oct 13, 2004 at 11:21 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 21,016
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From: Galveston... well, Santa Fe Texas
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Donor '03 & '06
I've been there... did it one day (three times that day) but hasn't happened since.
I just chalk it up to the the fine GM quality
I just chalk it up to the the fine GM quality
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 58,515
Likes: 70
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
I should say that leading up to me having the ignition switch replaced I have:
1. removed keychain
2. cleaned pellet on key
3. tried other keys
4. got a brand new key
5. cleaned ignition switch
all helped temporarily... but it always seems to reappear
1. removed keychain
2. cleaned pellet on key
3. tried other keys
4. got a brand new key
5. cleaned ignition switch
all helped temporarily... but it always seems to reappear
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 58,515
Likes: 70
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,569
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From: Crofton MD
I have had a similar problem several times. In my case it has to do with the fact that I have a manual transmission. When the clutch pedal is all the way in the swithch is activated to allow you to sart the car. But sometimes the switch does not activate. When I let the pedal all the way out and then depress it again it starts just fine.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 58,515
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by Gray Ghost
I have had a similar problem several times. In my case it has to do with the fact that I have a manual transmission. When the clutch pedal is all the way in the swithch is activated to allow you to sart the car. But sometimes the switch does not activate. When I let the pedal all the way out and then depress it again it starts just fine.
that is why the first step should be to check for codes
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 3
From: Southern NH
Originally Posted by Gray Ghost
I have had a similar problem several times. In my case it has to do with the fact that I have a manual transmission. When the clutch pedal is all the way in the swithch is activated to allow you to sart the car. But sometimes the switch does not activate. When I let the pedal all the way out and then depress it again it starts just fine.
With the clutch out, you will likely see the exact same condition - try it. That's not to say that's the only possible cause, but the first thing to check.
Other than that, try cleaning the ignition key hole with some alcohol. If the resistor pellet contacts for the Pass Key system are too dirty, it could prevent the starter from firing as it's supposed to.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 10,215
Likes: 344
I've never had this happen with my Vette, but I own another Chevy car. I went to start it Monday, after it sat over the weekend as usual. I wouldn't start but the alarm still worked, key chime worked with the key in the ignition, dome light was on, etc.
I jumped it and it started right up. Then I turned if off and tried to restart it and it wouldn't start again.
Then I tightened both battery terminals, just a minor minor amount, and it's worked fine ever since. My neighbor suggested this but I doubted it would make any difference--I was wrong!
Hope this helps.
I jumped it and it started right up. Then I turned if off and tried to restart it and it wouldn't start again.
Then I tightened both battery terminals, just a minor minor amount, and it's worked fine ever since. My neighbor suggested this but I doubted it would make any difference--I was wrong!
Hope this helps.