hello all, the car is a 2002 Z06. at first it was an intermittent problem, but twice it has left me stranded for at least one night. i push in the clutch pedal, turn the key, and nothing, battery is just fine, starter is just fine, the only way it would work, is if i kept pumping in the clutch pedal about an inch or two back and forth. sometimes it would work if i closed the door, locked everything, then unlocked it all and tried again.

two days ago, the car wouldnt start, so i left if and came back the next day and it wouldnt start still, so i had it towed to the local dealership, and of course, it started right up when the service guy went to check it out. anywho, i think it is some kind of clutch switch, anybody have any other ideas? the car is totally stock with 50k miles.

thanks!
rob

 

I don't have an answer for you but, here's a bump to the top maybe one of the others will see it and reply.

 

Is your key working alright? The chip on the key seems to be not reading at times. I got a key from the dealer and had the same problems. Do you have a spare? Try that.

 

There is in fact a clutch safety switch that, if intermittent, will drive you nuts. When you stop to realize that every time you push in the clutch it activates,and it will wear a bit. I had a similar problem with my '88 4+3, changed it out and the problem went away. It's worth a try, and not too costly.

 

mine does that too sometimes and i have a 97 auto, my turn signals will flash and i have to wait a little while then keep trying it.. and it will finally work.. .any ideas>?

 

I think I know what is wrong with it. Your ignition cylinder is worn and is not reading your passkey all the time. It can be intermittent too. I had the exact same problem and fixed it for less than $10.00. PM me ASAP.

 

alright gents, i took the dash apart and checked the ignition cylinder, it IS reading the key properly, at the right resistance. so, next step.....

where are any and all grounds that i could check?

thanks again,
rob

 

Locate the clutch safety switch, disconnect the plug that connects to it, and jumper across the pins in the PLUG and see if that doesn't fix it. Easy to do, no cost. Troubleshoot!

 

troubleshooting would be easy to do, if i knew where everything was. there are ZERO online aids to help with component location.

 

Connections at starter good??

 

Starter Solenoid Does Not Click
Step
Action
Yes
No

Schematic Reference: Starting and Charging Schematics

1
Did you preform the Engine Electrical Diagnostic System Check?
Go to Step 2
Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Electrical

2
Turn the ignition switch to the START position.

Does the engine crank?
Go to Testing for Intermittent and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems
Go to Step 3

3
Turn the ignition switch to the START position.

Does the Theft Deterrent relay click?
Go to Step 7
Go to Step 4

4
Disconnect the Theft Deterrent relay.
Connect a test light from the supply voltage circuit of the theft deterrent relay coil circuit to ground.
With the transmission in park, or clutch pedal depressed, turn the ignition switch to the start position.
Does the test light illuminate?
Go to Step 5
Go to Step 6

5
Connect a test light from the supply voltage circuit of the Theft Deterrent relay coil circuit to the control circuit of the Theft Deterrent relay coil circuit.
With the transmission in park, or clutch pedal depressed, turn the ignition switch to the start position.
Does the test light illuminate?
Go to Step 13
Go to Step 10

6
Turn OFF the ignition.
Disconnect the Park Neutral Position (PNP) switch or Clutch Pedal Position switch.
Turn ON the ignition, with the Engine OFF.
Connect a 10 amp fused jumper between the Theft Deterrent relay coil control circuits of the PNP switch or Clutch Pedal Position switch.
With the transmission in park, or clutch pedal depressed, turn the ignition switch to the start position.
Does the test lamp illuminate?
Go to Step 14
Go to Step 11

7
Turn OFF the ignition.
Disconnect the Theft Deterrent relay.
Connect a test lamp between the battery positive voltage circuit of the Theft Deterrent relay switch circuit and a good ground.
Does the test lamp illuminate?
Go to Step 8
Go to Step 18

8
Connect a 30 amp fused jumper between the battery positive voltage circuit of the Theft Deterrent relay switch circuit and the supply voltage circuit of the starter solenoid.

Does the engine crank?
Go to Step 13
Go to Step 9

9
Does the fuse in the jumper open?
Go to Step 19
Go to Step 12

10
Test the control circuit of the Theft Deterrent relay for an open or high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?
Go to Step 25
Go to Step 15

11
Test the supply voltage circuit of the Theft Deterrent relay coil circuit for an open or high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?
Go to Step 25
Go to Step 16

12
Test the supply voltage circuit of the starter solenoid for an open or high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?
Go to Step 25
Go to Step 17

13
Inspect for poor connections at the Theft Deterrent relay. Refer to Testing for Intermittent and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?
Go to Step 25
Go to Step 20

14
If equipped with an Automatic Transmission Inspect for poor connection at the PNP switch harness connector. Refer to Testing for Intermittent and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.
If equipped with a Manual Transmission inspect for poor connection at the Clutch Pedal Position switch harness connector. Refer to Testing for Intermittent and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Did you find and correct the condition?
Go to Step 25
Go to Step 21

15
Inspect for poor connections at the BCM harness connector. Refer to Testing for Intermittent and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?
Go to Step 25
Go to Step 22

16
Inspect for poor connections at the ignition switch harness connector. Refer to Testing for Intermittent and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?
Go to Step 25
Go to Step 23

17
Inspect for poor connections at the starter solenoid. Refer to Testing for Intermittent and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?
Go to Step 25
Go to Step 24

18
Repair the open or high resistance in the battery positive voltage circuit of the Theft Deterrent relay switch circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?
Go to Step 25
--

19
Repair the short to ground in the supply voltage circuit of the starter solenoid. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?
Go to Step 25
--

20
Replace the Theft Deterrent relay.

Did you complete the replacement?
Go to Step 25
--

21
Replace the:

PNP switch. Refer to Park/Neutral Position Switch Replacement in Automatic Transmission - 4L60 - E.
Clutch Pedal Position switch. Refer to Clutch Pedal Position Switch Replacement in Manual Transmission - MM6.
Did you complete the replacement?
Go to Step 25
--

22

IMPORTANT:
Perform the set up procedures for the BCM.


Replace the BCM. Refer to Body Control Module Replacement in Body Control System.

Did you complete the replacement?
Go to Step 25
--

23
Replace the Ignition Switch. Refer to Ignition Switch Replacement in Instrument Panel, Gauges, and Console.

Did you complete the replacement?
Go to Step 25
--

24
Replace the starter. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?
Go to Step 25
--

25
Operate the system for which the symptom occurred.

Did you correct the condition?
System OK
Go to Step 2



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

My Money would be here

Clutch Pedal Position Switch Replacement





Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Remove the clutch pedal position switch (clutch start switch) electrical connector.



Insert a feeler gauge between the switch and the clutch pedal bracket to release the switch tab.
Remove the switch. Lift the switch slightly then pull to remove.



Install the clutch pedal position switch (clutch start switch) to the clutch pedal bracket. Insert the switch locators into the top of the slots, then slide down to lock.



Connect the switch electrical connector.

Connect the negative battery cable. Tighten

 

took it to the dealer, they "could not duplicate" the problem in the 3 days they had it. But amazingly its not done it since it took it to them! I have a ritual I follow for starting the car and its been problem free for 2 weeks now. I get in, shut door, depress clutch, mash brake, keep parking brake up, put car in neutral and then it starts! I thought it might be the clutch switch too, but didn't know where it was, hopefully if it happens again I can try "69"'s solution.
Ed

 

Look at it this way, no one is ever going to be able to hotwire or steal your car!:


If pumping the clutch would fix it, then it has to be the clutch position switch. I had this happen on another vehicle that someone had ripped out some custom electronics before selling it to me and they did a bad splice on the lead for the switch. Live and learn, good luck!

 

thanks for the help guys.

69: where'd you get all that info from??! thats the kinda stuff i need over here, thanks

 

alrighty, i replaced the clutch pedal position switch, to no avail. tomorrow morning when i get some light, im going to check the grounds to make sure everything is connected, and if i can get under the car (its lowered) i will check the connections at the starter.

any other ideas gents?

i really appreciate all your guys help.

 

alright, for some time now the car decided to play it chill, everything was working fine for about a month.

well i go to the car today, and it wont start, same damn problem. i am about to take a couple sticks of TNT to it.

its too low to get at the starter. can anyone recommend any tricks for getting the car in the air, especially one that i cant drive, if i could drive it on some ramps i would, but thats a no go. cant fit a normal jack under there either.

HELP!

=)
rob

 

Damn Rob, not again
Maybe you can borrow a sissor jack from somebody you know, or get some help to push it up on a couple of 2x4's enough to get a jack underneath.

 

ok i managed to jack up the car and i couldnt get under there because i didnt have any jack stands but i reached in and touched up that whole starter and didnt feel a thing loose.

any thing else? anything im missing? overlooked? simple, why not right??

thanks again
rob

 

go buy some jack stands and put them under there. no way you'll find out what's wrong w/that car if you can't get under there and take a look or even a picture for us to go by.

is the clutch switch even sending/getting power? is it eaten away at any point. maybe the prob is not the switch itself but on the way to/from the switch wires.


meek