What could it be?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 776
Likes: 0
From: Mount Juliet Tennessee
What could it be?
Ok here goes. My car is having problems starting consistently. I will turn the key and nothing then later on after about 4 turns it will start. Is it the starter or is it my ignition or what? I had the same damn problem on my 98 and got rid of it before I figured it out. I thought it was the starter on my 98 and when I pulled it out the starter was fine. Anybody have the same experience and figure it out?
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Boaz Alabama
I had the same prob, on my 99 coupe also. it hasn't did it in a while, I sprayed just a little WD-40 in the key hole dont know it this works or not but mine is working ok now,, I would spray but just a little in it though..
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
You need to get rid of this one too!! Just hand over the keys. I wont even charge you for coming and towing it off!! 
On a more serious note
,,there are several things that can cause this issue.
First, disconnect both battery terminals clean the battery and cable ends with a wire brush. Spray out the terminals with WD-40. When they are all clean connect the terminals and TORQUE then on to the battery to 11 ft/lbs.
Next, there is a Theft Deterrent Relay in the passengers foot well, behind the toe board. Remove the panel and you will see a big metal box. It's the Body Control Module (BCM). Just above the right hand corner of the BCM on the fire wall, you will find some relays. Find the one with four wires RED, Purple, yellow and black/yellow stripe. That relay can go bad and it is a simple and inexpensive replacement.
Next, you could have a bad or loose connection on the starter solenoid. That is also a fairly common issue.
Last but not least, yea,,,you could have a bad starter. Most of the time if the brushes on the starter are going bad, if you turn the key and it does nothing, have someone whack the starter with a wooden mallet. If it cranks after you whack it, your brushes are worn.
Please let me know what you find out.
Bill C
On a more serious note
,,there are several things that can cause this issue. First, disconnect both battery terminals clean the battery and cable ends with a wire brush. Spray out the terminals with WD-40. When they are all clean connect the terminals and TORQUE then on to the battery to 11 ft/lbs.
Next, there is a Theft Deterrent Relay in the passengers foot well, behind the toe board. Remove the panel and you will see a big metal box. It's the Body Control Module (BCM). Just above the right hand corner of the BCM on the fire wall, you will find some relays. Find the one with four wires RED, Purple, yellow and black/yellow stripe. That relay can go bad and it is a simple and inexpensive replacement.
Next, you could have a bad or loose connection on the starter solenoid. That is also a fairly common issue.
Last but not least, yea,,,you could have a bad starter. Most of the time if the brushes on the starter are going bad, if you turn the key and it does nothing, have someone whack the starter with a wooden mallet. If it cranks after you whack it, your brushes are worn.
Please let me know what you find out.
Bill C
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
When you say you turn the key and nothing.... do you mean that absolutely nothing happens or you hear a click but the engine does not turn or the engine turns but does not start ????
Because you state that later on after about 4 turns it will start, I am trying to understand if the engine is not turning over or if it is turning over buy not starting...
Sorry but it is not clear to me
Because you state that later on after about 4 turns it will start, I am trying to understand if the engine is not turning over or if it is turning over buy not starting...
Sorry but it is not clear to me
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 776
Likes: 0
From: Mount Juliet Tennessee
The enginge does not click or anything. It just acts like no one is even turning a key. I will try what Curlee, driver , and Ztron stated and I will see what happens. I will let you guys know whats up. This is a ton of help this forum Rules!!! 
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 776
Likes: 0
From: Mount Juliet Tennessee
geez
TOday she told me to pull the key out and wait ten seconds and it died on me. What the hell? I sprayed the WD40 and it worked better yes but still have the problem I am going for the terminals now and then the PCM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: IL
I had this happen once on my 2000 vette. I turned the key and absolutely nothing - no clicking of the starter. All the lights were working ok - it even had enough battery power to move the headlights up and down. About 10 minutes later, I try again, and it starts up fine. Started up fine ever after that. I always wondered about this, and then I read a post on this forum written by a guy that helped design anti-theft systems for GM. He said that if there is any dirt or moisture on the key or the contacts inside the ignition that the key touches when you attempt to start it, then it will not engage the starter. And it will also not allow you to start it again for a certain period of time (I think it was 5 minutes, but I'm not sure). So I would say to clean your key and inside the key slot, wait 5 minutes, then try again. But a starter going out can act the same way. Years ago I paid to have a 77 vette towed to a shop and the mechanic grabbed a hammer and tapped the starter - then she started right up (I could have avoided the tow if I had done that myself, but I stilll needed a new starter anyway.) Good luck!
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: North Las Vegas Nevada
There also is a starter relay in the engine compartment electgrical box, next to the batt. Mine went bad. tried to start and nothing, found this relay and tapped on it a little and like magic! $16 at Chevy!