Vette Wont Start!!?? Please help
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 1
From: NC
Vette Wont Start!!?? Please help
Came home for lunch (3 mile drive) today and put the key in the ignition, as I do since I purchased it, buckle up as the seat and steering wheel resume my settings and turn the key and nothing. Seems all the electrical is working fine, seat, steering and radio but no starter.
The only thing I've done to the car in a little over a month is install the CLB. Could this be causing the problem?
No code or warnings.
Bill
1999 vert
The only thing I've done to the car in a little over a month is install the CLB. Could this be causing the problem?
No code or warnings.
Bill
1999 vert
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
Bill
I have an 02 ZO6. I have the same symptoms every once in a while. I have figured out a work around for mine until i can work on it.
Is it a MN6 or an Auto?
If you have a MN6, the clutch safety switch circuit may be causing it. The switch is on the fire wall and activated by the clutch peddle. While you have the key held in the start position, pump the clutch peddle up and down (about 1"-2" Just enough to activate and release that switch) and see if you can hear a relay in the passengers foot well clicking each time the switch is depressed. That relay is the theft deterrent relay. The switches fail a lot! They get corroded and stop working.
If you don't hear that relay, either the switch is bad or the relay is bad. You can bypass the switch with a paper clip to test it.
Once its bypassed you will no longer have a clutch safety switch and it will start in gear!
Be careful!
OR
Have some one hold the key to the START position. While there holding the key to start, rap the starter with a Ball Peen Hammer. If it starts, the brushes in the starter are bad or the solenoid is bad!
I think that is what is wrong with mine. Bad Starter Solenoid!
I have an 02 ZO6. I have the same symptoms every once in a while. I have figured out a work around for mine until i can work on it.
Is it a MN6 or an Auto?
If you have a MN6, the clutch safety switch circuit may be causing it. The switch is on the fire wall and activated by the clutch peddle. While you have the key held in the start position, pump the clutch peddle up and down (about 1"-2" Just enough to activate and release that switch) and see if you can hear a relay in the passengers foot well clicking each time the switch is depressed. That relay is the theft deterrent relay. The switches fail a lot! They get corroded and stop working.
If you don't hear that relay, either the switch is bad or the relay is bad. You can bypass the switch with a paper clip to test it.
Once its bypassed you will no longer have a clutch safety switch and it will start in gear!
Be careful! OR
Have some one hold the key to the START position. While there holding the key to start, rap the starter with a Ball Peen Hammer. If it starts, the brushes in the starter are bad or the solenoid is bad!
I think that is what is wrong with mine. Bad Starter Solenoid!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 1
From: NC
Aww, WTF? I get home from work, get in, turn the key and it starts. Shut it off, pull the key. Put the key back in and it starts right up.
Now I'm worried to drive it anywhere. I bought it for my daily driver.
Thanks for the suggestions. If you can think of anything else….
Thanks
Bill
Now I'm worried to drive it anywhere. I bought it for my daily driver.
Thanks for the suggestions. If you can think of anything else….
Thanks
Bill
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 479
Likes: 2
From: Hollywood Maryland
Agree with Bill
Happened to me also. Got lazy. not pushing the clutch pedal in far enough to engage the safety switch. Panicked, also thought there was something wrong. Pushed in the clutch again to start and it did, thought I had issues. Car won't turn over if the clutch is not depressed far enough to engage the safety switch and it has to be all the way. You don't have an issue, just push in the clutch pedal in all the way. Starts every time. You can repeat the problem by partially pushing in the clutch and trying to start. You can feel what's not far enough. If it's not far enough it won't start.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
Happened to me also. Got lazy. not pushing the clutch pedal in far enough to engage the safety switch. Panicked, also thought there was something wrong. Pushed in the clutch again to start and it did, thought I had issues. Car won't turn over if the clutch is not depressed far enough to engage the safety switch and it has to be all the way. You don't have an issue, just push in the clutch pedal in all the way. Starts every time. You can repeat the problem by partially pushing in the clutch and trying to start. You can feel what's not far enough. If it's not far enough it won't start.
I just got done converting from an auto to six speed in my 2001 vette.
Forgot all about the safety swicth on clutch and could not get car to start and then I realized my stupidity.
