C5 "Randomly" Will Not Start
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
C5 "Randomly" Will Not Start
I have a 2001 C5 with a manual tranny (25K miles).
Sometimes (with ever increasing frequency lately) when I put the key in the ignition and turn it over, nothing happens.
It seems when I roll back a few feet (when parked on an incline), it will start or if I am parked on a level surface, I open the door and close it or "shake" the car a bit, and it will magically start up.
My dad had a 02 C5 with an automatic tranny, and this happened to him a few times, but he never figured out why before he traded his in for a C6.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I am at a total loss here.
If any other info is needed, I will be more than happy to provide it. Thank you in advance!
V/r Josh.
Sometimes (with ever increasing frequency lately) when I put the key in the ignition and turn it over, nothing happens.
It seems when I roll back a few feet (when parked on an incline), it will start or if I am parked on a level surface, I open the door and close it or "shake" the car a bit, and it will magically start up.
My dad had a 02 C5 with an automatic tranny, and this happened to him a few times, but he never figured out why before he traded his in for a C6.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I am at a total loss here.
If any other info is needed, I will be more than happy to provide it. Thank you in advance!
V/r Josh.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 8
From: Indian Rocks Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Anytime I hear "random" electrical problem I think grounds. Take a look a the sticky at the top of this section entitled "Important Electrical Information". Bill has done an excellent job describing how to get all your grounds taken care of.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
When mine acted like that (years ago), it was the starter motor failing. I replaced it, and not a problem since.
It can be a frustrating problem, because the only way you can effectively troubleshoot it, is when the problem is actually occurring (not starting).
Every time it wouldn't start, I'd grab my meter...but then of course once in position to check, it would start perfectly. It got to the point I just left the meter on the pass. floor, and finally one day I was able to pinpoint it.
You can see my posts in this thread for some troubleshooting tips and things to check when the problem is occurring:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...t-battery.html
Or, do an advanced search using the keywaord "starter", my username, in C5 tech, and it will bring up lots of threads I've posted in, detailing how to narrow down the many possibilities, and quickly pinpoint the problem.
It can be a frustrating problem, because the only way you can effectively troubleshoot it, is when the problem is actually occurring (not starting).
Every time it wouldn't start, I'd grab my meter...but then of course once in position to check, it would start perfectly. It got to the point I just left the meter on the pass. floor, and finally one day I was able to pinpoint it.
You can see my posts in this thread for some troubleshooting tips and things to check when the problem is occurring:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...t-battery.html
Or, do an advanced search using the keywaord "starter", my username, in C5 tech, and it will bring up lots of threads I've posted in, detailing how to narrow down the many possibilities, and quickly pinpoint the problem.
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
There are several issues that will cause this issue. Here they are:
- Bad or loose connections at the starter solenoid
- Bad starter solenoid
- Bad Theft deterrent realy
- Bad Starter safety switch
- If vibration seems to effect the issue, you could have a bad connection in the door wiring harness (yep,,as weird as it seems) Open the door and grab the accordion tube and shake the hell out of it. My car had that exact issue once. usually the window will fail to work when that is the issue.
OR
After that my Z developed a fail to start issue that was effected by banging the starter with something. That issue is caused buy a bad solenoid. The solenoid is repalceable for about $40.
This issue has been coverd in detail numerous times with very detailed recommendations. See if you can use the advanced search and find more info. I comment on almost all of those post.
BC
BC
- Bad or loose connections at the starter solenoid
- Bad starter solenoid
- Bad Theft deterrent realy
- Bad Starter safety switch
- If vibration seems to effect the issue, you could have a bad connection in the door wiring harness (yep,,as weird as it seems) Open the door and grab the accordion tube and shake the hell out of it. My car had that exact issue once. usually the window will fail to work when that is the issue.
OR
After that my Z developed a fail to start issue that was effected by banging the starter with something. That issue is caused buy a bad solenoid. The solenoid is repalceable for about $40.
This issue has been coverd in detail numerous times with very detailed recommendations. See if you can use the advanced search and find more info. I comment on almost all of those post.
BC
BC
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,233
Likes: 21
From: Baltimore suburbs Maryland
Also check the tightness on the battery terminals. I had this happen once my car wouldn't start, but it must have been making enough contact to keep the low current stuff going such as the under hood light. But when I cranked it, it was dead.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Thank you for all the advice. It turned out to be a bad starter. It was a quick fix and I'm back on the road and enjoying every moment once again! Thank you for saving me so much time. There's nothing worse than hoping your Vette starts...
