wierd starting problem with 01 Z
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Georgia
wierd starting problem with 01 Z
ok, so ive had the car now for a while... and everything has been fine. 3 weeks ago, i was at a friends house and we went to leave. the car would not start. it drove fine for a week, then exactly 1 week later it did it again. it has been doing it more frequently now.
now, let me describe the problem.
when you put the key in, all the accessories turn on. everything powers up fine, and there is plenty of battery juice( i had the battery tested yesterday, it was very healthy) basically, when i try to crank the car, nothing happens. it doesnt try to turn over, its almost like i am trying to start the car without pushing the clutch in. now, if i keep trying to start it, sometimes i will get lucky and it will crank... then it drives fine.
this problem is making the car very unreliable though, and i need some clue as to where to begin looking. i am hoping some of you good folks can help shed some light. thanks
now, let me describe the problem.
when you put the key in, all the accessories turn on. everything powers up fine, and there is plenty of battery juice( i had the battery tested yesterday, it was very healthy) basically, when i try to crank the car, nothing happens. it doesnt try to turn over, its almost like i am trying to start the car without pushing the clutch in. now, if i keep trying to start it, sometimes i will get lucky and it will crank... then it drives fine.
this problem is making the car very unreliable though, and i need some clue as to where to begin looking. i am hoping some of you good folks can help shed some light. thanks
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 520
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington NC
Sounds like a bad point in the starter... I used to have the problem with my 87 T/A and just had to help a stranded woman out the other day with the same problem....
It could be something else but is a fairly common issue and I would think is your best bet. Next time the car does it try and get under the vehicle and give the starter a whack with a blunt object...
It could be something else but is a fairly common issue and I would think is your best bet. Next time the car does it try and get under the vehicle and give the starter a whack with a blunt object...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Georgia
i am not sure what this sounds like, but it does try to make some sort of noise. i might be able to get a video of it later on. i will check the starter out though. do you guys suggest replacing it?
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,164
Likes: 4,172
From: Kannapolis NC
Check the red wire going from the battery to the starter. On the starter end many times you will find the nut loose. Sometimes the starter will burn around the post the connector is attached to and the starter must be replaced. Try wiggling or tightening the red cable on both ends. A recent 03 Z06 would do just as you describe and if you had someone wiggle the red wire going down to the starter from the battery, the car would start. His starter was charcoaled around the post. Take a look and post what you find.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 717
Likes: 11
From: Pleasanton CA
Check out the post by Bill Curlee on the starter switch. The repair is pretty simple and best of all its free. The burned contacts on my 01 were causing all sorts of codes. Maybe it would help you also 
ok, so ive had the car now for a while... and everything has been fine. 3 weeks ago, i was at a friends house and we went to leave. the car would not start. it drove fine for a week, then exactly 1 week later it did it again. it has been doing it more frequently now.
now, let me describe the problem.
when you put the key in, all the accessories turn on. everything powers up fine, and there is plenty of battery juice( i had the battery tested yesterday, it was very healthy) basically, when i try to crank the car, nothing happens. it doesnt try to turn over, its almost like i am trying to start the car without pushing the clutch in. now, if i keep trying to start it, sometimes i will get lucky and it will crank... then it drives fine.
this problem is making the car very unreliable though, and i need some clue as to where to begin looking. i am hoping some of you good folks can help shed some light. thanks
now, let me describe the problem.
when you put the key in, all the accessories turn on. everything powers up fine, and there is plenty of battery juice( i had the battery tested yesterday, it was very healthy) basically, when i try to crank the car, nothing happens. it doesnt try to turn over, its almost like i am trying to start the car without pushing the clutch in. now, if i keep trying to start it, sometimes i will get lucky and it will crank... then it drives fine.
this problem is making the car very unreliable though, and i need some clue as to where to begin looking. i am hoping some of you good folks can help shed some light. thanks
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Georgia
Check the red wire going from the battery to the starter. On the starter end many times you will find the nut loose. Sometimes the starter will burn around the post the connector is attached to and the starter must be replaced. Try wiggling or tightening the red cable on both ends. A recent 03 Z06 would do just as you describe and if you had someone wiggle the red wire going down to the starter from the battery, the car would start. His starter was charcoaled around the post. Take a look and post what you find.
i need to re adjust my new headlights, so i will knock all this stuff out at one time.
put the depo headlights on... have to drill a hole for the left one... so i have to jack the car up. will definitely check out the starter while its up.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,201
Likes: 0
From: DP(oh you know where) IL
St. Jude Donor '06
Check the red wire going from the battery to the starter. On the starter end many times you will find the nut loose. Sometimes the starter will burn around the post the connector is attached to and the starter must be replaced. Try wiggling or tightening the red cable on both ends. A recent 03 Z06 would do just as you describe and if you had someone wiggle the red wire going down to the starter from the battery, the car would start. His starter was charcoaled around the post. Take a look and post what you find.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,164
Likes: 4,172
From: Kannapolis NC
You can reach the stud and nut I'm talking about from the top. Only about a foot or so from the battery connection. Check it closely.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Georgia
i checked from the bottom... forgot to unplug the battery 
ruined a socket! burnt the metal right off. but, i did not check from the top. just the bottom. i will check from the top tomorrow, as its too dark to do much now. headlights look good though now.
ruined a socket! burnt the metal right off. but, i did not check from the top. just the bottom. i will check from the top tomorrow, as its too dark to do much now. headlights look good though now.