C5 Z Won't Start
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 59
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From: Tomball Texas
C5 Z Won't Start
I've searched the forums, but didn't find anything related to my problem.
I drove the Z06 last weekend to a local 'Vette gathering with absolutley no problems. When I got home I parked in the usual spot and shut it off. The car has been sitting in the same spot for a week untouched.
Fast forward to today. I go outside to take a ride. Hop in the car, turn the key, motor turns over but refuses to start. It's getting fuel, it's getting spark, yet will only turn over. It's not even offering to start.
I pulled fuse 25, the dome light went off, re-installed fuse 25 light came back on one of the other boxes near the fuse box made a light "click". No codes on the DIC before or after.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Troy
I drove the Z06 last weekend to a local 'Vette gathering with absolutley no problems. When I got home I parked in the usual spot and shut it off. The car has been sitting in the same spot for a week untouched.
Fast forward to today. I go outside to take a ride. Hop in the car, turn the key, motor turns over but refuses to start. It's getting fuel, it's getting spark, yet will only turn over. It's not even offering to start.
I pulled fuse 25, the dome light went off, re-installed fuse 25 light came back on one of the other boxes near the fuse box made a light "click". No codes on the DIC before or after.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Troy
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Are you hearing the fuel pump pressurize when you turn the key on, but not to the start position? If not, I'm wondering if your ignition switch itself has failed. Did the gauges do their sweep? Static battery voltage needs to be 12.5vdc or above for the car to run but understand that the starter motor will still turn will less voltage.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 59
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From: Tomball Texas
I can hear the pump presurize when the key is turned on. I even went to the extent of pulling the relay and putting in a jumper so the pump would run continously. No change, so I re-installed the relay.
The battery voltage is 12.4 with the cables disconnected. When cranking the battery voltage drops to ~10.2. I'll stick the charger on it and see what happens.
Thanks,
Troy
The battery voltage is 12.4 with the cables disconnected. When cranking the battery voltage drops to ~10.2. I'll stick the charger on it and see what happens.
Thanks,
Troy
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Its possible the battery is down as you saw. The starter could be draining away just enough current to prevent the PCM from firing the coils, injectors and so on. Keep checking both fuse boxes for bad one and so on.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Down near the starter motor, there is a wire that goes to the crankshaft position sensor. I've been hearing several cases of that wire getting onto the headers or pipes and burning. You might want to look there. Also the rear of the driver's side head, there are two ground wires attached there. You want to make sure they are still there of course and tight.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 347
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From: Whiteville NC
a C5 will run below 7 volts on the battery...IF you can get it started. Push start it and see if you can get it crank, the starter might be drawing too much,
My alternator went out yesterday when i was about 24 miles from home... i switched the digital gauge readout to volts and it shut off the dash indicators when it hit 8 volts. I made it about another 10 miles after then dash shut down and the car finally shut the coils or fuel pump off about 3 miles from home.
That was cruising in 5th gear about 55 mph and nursing it... if i hit the gas it would stutter when (i'm assuming) injectors needed to fire more or the fuel pump couldn't keep up.
My alternator went out yesterday when i was about 24 miles from home... i switched the digital gauge readout to volts and it shut off the dash indicators when it hit 8 volts. I made it about another 10 miles after then dash shut down and the car finally shut the coils or fuel pump off about 3 miles from home.
That was cruising in 5th gear about 55 mph and nursing it... if i hit the gas it would stutter when (i'm assuming) injectors needed to fire more or the fuel pump couldn't keep up.
Last edited by GreyGT-C; Oct 24, 2009 at 06:45 PM.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 8
From: Champaign IL
We need to know a little more. What exactly happens when you try and start your car? Do you hear relay clicking, Fuel Pump, Do the Gauges Sweep, Does the DIC function? I had a Bad Ignition Switch with my Z06 and caused all sorts of Problems. Some like you describe. I would of course check all the Grounds too. On back of the Starter. The Two Distribution Blocks right about the Front Wheel Wells. Check for Corrosion.
Bill Curlee Helped me and many others. If all else Fails Ask him.
Here is the Ignition Switch Fix. This was my problem. Good Luck.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ch-repair.html
Bill Curlee Helped me and many others. If all else Fails Ask him.
Here is the Ignition Switch Fix. This was my problem. Good Luck.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ch-repair.html
Last edited by slvrzo6; Oct 24, 2009 at 06:56 PM.
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'19,'22
At least it was easy and free! I hate the small stuff that you chase forever. I did that recently with a cracked spark plug.
