When I went to test drive my corvette before I bought it, the local dealer gave me the key, I went and tried to crank it over and it did nothing.

The lights worked, radio, horn... everything. Dealer said "I just parked it there 30 mins ago. That's weird." I assumed it was the battery, the dealer played along (it's a corvette dealership) so I'm sure he knew it wasn't the battery... how ever, by the time he got a jumper pack out there, 3 mins had gone past. And it fired right up (I thought because he put a jumper pack on it).

I killed it (6 speed) because the knock sensor was bad so it had alot less torque than it should have had. But it fired right up. I thought to my self, Weird that it started, but really didn't put 2 n 2 together.

I bought the car, they fixed the knock sensor, and put a brand new battery in it. I've had it 3 weeks no problems. A few electrical glitches... the turn signals decide not to work once, I tap the hazard button, they work again... ect. Nothing major.

Yesterday I go to leave work, and put the key in, turn it... and nothing. Everything's lit up. Stereo's on, gauges all turn on, but it doesn't even try to crank.

JUST like the test drive. Well it's got a new battery, so that's not the problem. I'm thinking it's the ignition, or key some how.

I try pulling and putting the key in a few times, nothing. So I get out, walk back to my office... realize that's not gonna do me any good, walk back to the car... put the key in, and it works just fine. (3 mins had passed) I drive home, then through out the night, I turned off and restarted the engine probably 6 times, worked fine every time.

Sooo, could I pull codes to help determine whats the cause of this problem? From what I've read I'm guessing either starter or ignition.

If I can pull codes, does anyone know a link on how to do it? I've never done it before.

Thanks for the help guys!

 

Probable ignition switch or solenoid failure unless the security light in DIC is flashing when you are attempting to start and it doesn't.

 

So if I try to start it, and it won't start, but the security light is flashing, then it's the ignition.

If the Security light isn't flashing, then it's probably the solenoid more than likely? That's what I've picked up from reading around, unless I'm reading wrong, which I might be.

 

If the light is flashing, the pellet on the chip was not read correctly therefore preventing it from starting. If the light is not flashing, listen for the TDR relay in the passenger footwell...if you hear it when the key is turned to the start position, yet nothing happens, I would think the solenoid is dying. Its possible that you have a lose connection from the battery to the starter too.

 

When I turned the key I heard nothing. I was listening for a click (typical relay sound) and didn't hear anything. I did how ever hear some sort of pump or purging when I first put the key in for a second or two, but when I turned the key to start, nothing but silence.

Thanks for the help, I know what to look for next time it happens.

 

check for corrosion at the starter,i had the same issue but mine ended up being the starter solenoid,thanks to Bill Curlee!!!!!!!!!!!! I would also advise to check the TDR under the passenger side foorwell,also,Bill had a write up on the starter switch contacts being burned out with this problem,just a few ideas!