My '99/'00 vette had the low voltage Battery and CLB problem in November of '08. All of you veterans know about the CLB and gave me some very helpful advice:

1. about maintaining battery voltage while in the garage
2. dealing with the dealership. Defect resolved at no chg
3. adding the Bypass
4. I bought a brand new DieHard GOLD from Sears

Now, I have this problem from Friday night. I made at stop at 9pm in Dallas, Texas. I was on my way out on a Friday night. I came out of the store and the vette didn't start. Mashed the clutch and NADA!!!! Lights were working. Steering column working ok. A guy had a portable battery pack. NADA!!!

1. The needle gage was right at 13.
2. The display showed 12.2

I had some jumper cables and another guy in a Ford F150 attempted to give me a jump. NADA!!!!! The gages did not change in the car. I had a flatbed tow truck take it to my mechanic's shop. This is the first time I have ever taking it to my mechanic. The dealership, NTB and me are the only people who have touched my toy.

My mechanic told me on Saturday morning that he blew the horn and the car started right up. He needed to keep it 'til Monday. As of today(Monday) @ 3 pm:

1. he thinks it is the starter but he need to keep it over night to be sure.

2. the water pump is leaking?????--- i told him don't worry about 'da pump

I think it is the battery because the digital display is pretty accurate. I told him to let me know because I can go to Sears/NTB to get that replace for free since I bought it in November '08.

Have anyone ever had their starter go out?

 

I've been battling a starter problem and finally narrowed it down to a bad ignition switch. I'm gonna use the procedures posted on this web site to remove and repair the switch.

 

Did your symptoms match mine?---> I mashed the clutch. Turned the key. NADA!! There was not even a click.

How much do the ignition switch cost?
Did you replace your starter first?

 

I had the same problem and after months of intermittent starting issues it turned out to be my starter solenoid. I just replaced the starter. My advice is to see if he is willing to install a new start solenoid, if not just buy a refurbished starter for a shop and have him install. If you buy a starter it includes a new solenoid. I bought my starter from a forum member for 40 bucks used. Starters rarely fail on these cars from what I've read so I figured why not buy it used. Car has been perfect since, THANK GOD!

If it was your battery, you would of got it going when you tried to jump the vehicle. So it cant be the battery. The other members will tell you to check your grounds, so do a search on the ground points. But I had the SAME symptoms as you do and that's what it was.

 

$40 used is good. I think a new starter cost $200-$300. You are correct about posts about checking the grounds. I don't have any but I did some research and found the following from 8VETTE7:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...acement-2.html

http://pages.infinit.net/vette747/Ground

 

Always check the battery and battery to starter connection for coming lose. Did you hear the TDR relay in the right passenger footwell clicking when you turned the key? If so and it still didn't start, then look at the starter solenoid. If you didn't hear it click, was the security light flashing on the IP Cluster? If it was, it didn't read the key's pellet. Lastly, the ignition switch as you already mentioned.

 

The ignition switch is an easy clean if you have about an hour start to finish.

 

Had the exact same issue. Its most likely the solenoid. If you bump the starter with a mallet, it will start.

BC

 

I talked to my mechanic about my research and your responses about the solenoid. He said he just pulled off the ground cable to the battery. Cleaned it and placed it back on the battery. Afterwards, the car started several times without failure. He said NO CHARGE. I can pick it up any time.

 

Cool. Just be aware that the starter battery connection does come lose on many people's cars and will result in the same thing. Best to insure all connections are clean and tight.

 

I have an automatic, but I had a similar situation at work one afternoon. I thought it was the starter, too. Turns out, the security pellet in the key was dirty. I cleaned the pellet, and she started right up. It has happened a couple of times since... and with a quick rub of the key I was good to go.

I have seen folks with bad ignition switches doing the same thing. There is a post here (or in the 'general' area) that shows how to disassemble the switch and clean the contacts. You might try doing a search for it.

Good luck.

Mark

 

Dude, In this day and time ,, your mechanic guy is a KEEPER! Please pass this along to HIM and retain his mechaical /C5 electriaal expirtise He is a KEEPER!

BC