C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Headers installed, now car won't start

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 3, 2007 | 04:08 PM
  #1  
weisser's Avatar
weisser
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Oak Creek WI
Default Headers installed, now car won't start

Hopefully this is something minor, but I have an '04 Z06 that has been in hybernation since Nov., and last started around New Years. Since the last time I had it running, I installed AR headers, new plugs and wires, and a Halltech Stinger Intake. I just went out to start it, and it turns over fine but won't start. The DIC reads Reduced Engine Power, followed by Service Vehicle Soon and Low Fuel. The fuel gage on the dash and the HUD read empty even though the tank is full. Everything seems to be hooked up properly, but maybe I'm missing something. Any help is appreciated.

TIA- Mike
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2007 | 04:26 PM
  #2  
vettenuts's Avatar
vettenuts
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Default

Did you disconnect anything? Re-check all connections.

Is the MAF plugged in up in the Stinger setup?

Are the coils connected?

Is the motor on the driver's side of the throttle body disconnected?

Is the battery fully charged?

If all is OK, I think I might disconnect the battery for a few minutes and re-connect, but reduced engine power is safety related and it sounds like something is not connected properly.
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2007 | 04:32 PM
  #3  
Bill Curlee's Avatar
Bill Curlee
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Mike

read and post the DTC codes:

This is the absolute best C5 Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) web site!!!

http://www.corvettedoctor.com/Code_Main.html
http://www.corvettedoctor.com/index.html


Go to “technical data base” and then to “Corvette ECM Computer Codes”. Then select your year car. Read the instructions and then scroll down to the "READ MORE" window to view the code definitions.\

Here is another very good site:

http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_cod...d-ii-codes.php

Make sure to include the H or C suffix!!


Write down and post your DTC’s Then clear them ALL!

Sound effects are cool too! 


While your reading this, and trying to figure out whats wrong, charge the battery! Thats the first place to start. Then read and clear ALL of your DTC Codes. Then give her another try.

If that still fails the current set DTCs should tell us whats failing.

Did you disconnect any of the following :

Coil packs
Engine grounds
MAF

PM me if you neeed to

BC
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2007 | 05:22 PM
  #4  
weisser's Avatar
weisser
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Oak Creek WI
Default

Thanks for the replys guys-

Bill-

I checked the codes and and in each parameter it said NO COMM which I assume means everything is O.K. and after getting through them all said NO MORE CODES. When I installed the headers and intake I had the coils. MAF, starter, alternator, and grounds disconnected, but everything seems hooked back up properly. I had the battery disconnected while doing the work, and have had it on a float charger the past few day, so I think it should be charged.
Any more ideas would be great. I'll try disconnecting the battery for a while and see if that helps.

Thanks again- MIKE
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2007 | 05:51 PM
  #5  
Bill Curlee's Avatar
Bill Curlee
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Mike

NO COMS is B A D!!!! It means that the module is NOT commumicating with other modules. If you have all NO COMMS, you have a major electrical issue. Most likely grounded a serial buss. That's the buss that all the modules communicate on using serial digital data.

BC

BC
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2007 | 05:57 PM
  #6  
Bill Curlee's Avatar
Bill Curlee
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Mike

Check it again. See if it really said NO CODES! That would be a GOOD THING!

If it said NO COMMUNICATIONS or NO COMMS,,, We got work to do!

BC
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2007 | 06:15 PM
  #7  
weisser's Avatar
weisser
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Oak Creek WI
Default

Bill-

I rechecked the codes and they all say NO COMM. I did a search after my last post and found out that that is NOT GOOD. Do I have something grounded wrong.

Mike
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2007 | 06:56 PM
  #8  
comecorrect's Avatar
comecorrect
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 861
Likes: 15
From: Fayetteville NC
Default

Originally Posted by weisser
Bill-

I rechecked the codes and they all say NO COMM. I did a search after my last post and found out that that is NOT GOOD. Do I have something grounded wrong.

Mike
Did you hook the ground wires back up to the engine?
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Feb 3, 2007 | 07:29 PM
  #9  
Bill Curlee's Avatar
Bill Curlee
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

There are basicaly THREE reasons why you would get NO COMMS for ALL the modules.

The first is, you lost power to all the modules.

The second is, you lost grounds to the modules and the most likely is, you shorted a serial buss communication wire. If you short one,,,you effect then all.

The first thing that I would do is check ALL the wiring harnesses that you touched and even the ones that are around, under or beside anything that you moved.

To the left of the BCM, you will see two small weird looking connectors:




They are the serial buss.

As weird as it might sound,,, try this:

Shake the accordion tube that runs between the door and the door frame and then see if it will start!



The connector has a bad habbit of shorting.

Here is a prime example why:



BC
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2007 | 10:17 PM
  #10  
weisser's Avatar
weisser
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Oak Creek WI
Default

I removed the pass. side header to see if any of the wiring looked damaged and it looks fine. The 2 grounds on the drivers side and 1 on the pass. side are connected to the engine.

Bill-

Forgive my ignorance, but where exactly is the BCM. I am assuming it's the shiny component next to the fuse box in the picture, but I don't see anything like that on my car. Do I need to remove something to expose it. I also tried wiggling the door harness and that didn't work. Maybe if I let it sit over night it will cure itself if nothing else hopefully my headache will go away.

Thanks for your time- Mike
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2007 | 10:18 PM
  #11  
Bill Curlee's Avatar
Bill Curlee
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Its the Body Control Module BCM and its in the passengers foot well behind the carpet toe board.

BC
Reply
Old Feb 4, 2007 | 12:16 AM
  #12  
weisser's Avatar
weisser
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Oak Creek WI
Default

Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
Its the Body Control Module BCM and its in the passengers foot well behind the carpet toe board.

BC
Found it, thanks.

How do you tell if the serial busses are shorted or not. The only wires that I could see being affected by the header install would be those going to the O2 sensors, the grounds, and the starter wires. Other than the grounds, would these other wires affect the BCM. I should also note that in the summer months the car was only a weekend driver, and often when I would insert the key it would not remember my seat memory. I would have to push the button on the door for it to adjust. Don't know if that is a sign of a problem or not. The car is still under warranty through Sept., but I'd like to know if this is header install related or something due to the car sitting with batt. disconnected etc.

Mike
Reply
Old Feb 4, 2007 | 12:19 AM
  #13  
Bill Curlee's Avatar
Bill Curlee
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Mike

I will be up for another hour. Call me! Check your PM's


BC
Reply
Old Feb 4, 2007 | 12:37 AM
  #14  
highpockets's Avatar
highpockets
Drifting
Supporting Member
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 4
From: Pl Grove Utah
Default

You double checked you did not leave the grounds above the starter on pass side block/rear unhooked ?Do you have a check engine light/bulb check with key on ? Tach showing movement/rpm while cranking ? Nobody got anxious and touched a hot wire/back of alternator or starter and popped a fuse ? Besides the fuse box near the battery there is also one near BCM in pass floorboard.Just a couple things to look at,good luck !
Reply
Old Feb 4, 2007 | 02:37 PM
  #15  
bcseitz's Avatar
bcseitz
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
From: Mesa Arizona
Default

My 03 coupe had a ground cable on the drivers side also. Had to disconnect and reconnect to get the header up in there. Just a thought....
Reply
Old Feb 4, 2007 | 02:42 PM
  #16  
jdmvette's Avatar
jdmvette
Night Owl for life
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Shutterbug
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 24,730
Likes: 4,564
From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
Default

when i installed my headers, i forgot to plug in the crank position sensor. it is #1 as pictured below:



check to see if that is plugged in. my car started right up after it was plugged in.
Reply
Old Feb 4, 2007 | 04:22 PM
  #17  
cjs27410's Avatar
cjs27410
Pro
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 503
Likes: 1
From: Greensboro NC
Default

Is your battery putting out 12 volts?
11.x volts has given me problems in the past.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Headers installed, now car won't start

Old Feb 6, 2007 | 10:19 PM
  #18  
weisser's Avatar
weisser
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Oak Creek WI
Default

Finally got a chance to work on the car tonight and I found my problem. Only had one of the 2 grounds hooked up on the pass. side. The little one got buried behind the starter and I forgot about it. Got it put back together and it fired right up. Love the sound of the new AR's. It's -4 outside right now so I think it's going to be a while before it sees the road. Thanks Bill and everyone else for taking the time to help me out. I appreciate it.

Mike
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2007 | 08:16 PM
  #19  
comecorrect's Avatar
comecorrect
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 861
Likes: 15
From: Fayetteville NC
Default

Glad you found it.
MIKE
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2007 | 09:48 PM
  #20  
4GTABODT's Avatar
4GTABODT
Le Mans Master
Supporting Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,300
Likes: 4
From: Mississauga, Ontario Corvettes were built to be driven...not trailered
St Jude Donor '07-'08-'09
Default

Glad you found it and not surprises BC had a hand in it. When he was in Toronto last year, us C5 guys learned more from him in one day then we knew collectively in all our years of ownership

Reply




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:56 PM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE