2002 C5 Z06 intermittent start UPDATED:

It is driving me crazy!!!

I have read on here for 3 weeks now trying to fix it.

car has kooks long tube headers can that cause starter problems?

I get in to start the car put the key in and try to start and sometimes like once every two days it just wont start. Just goes click and all lights in car goes out like normal but no sound at all from starter no clicking no ticking. The security light is not on when key is in start position and doesnt start. i tried turning the steering wheel still wont start.

-When it doesnt start, it i tried my second key thinking it was the key still no change wont start

-I have had to push start it twice now and it will start so i dont know if that rules out the alarm system

-No codes in DIC

-I checked my battery connections the looked good and clean and tight.

-I cleaned the 2 the under hood and ground points, and checked the ground point on the door pillar. they all looked good and clean.

-Then i removed the wire loom covers going to the doors and checked wiring to the doors, looked good no fray no pulled back wires.

-Then i removed part of the dash and cleasned and polished the ignition switch and voltage on the dash went up.

-Then i went and bought a new ignition switch and just replaced the whole thing thinking that may have been the problem.

-Went to a Auto zone had them hook up to the test machine, Alternator tested good, battery tested good but it said low charge. battery voltage sits at 12.2 volts.

-Bypassed Vats pellet reader with 2 resistors and put them in parallel to get my resistance i needed

or if any one knows a local corvette guy near charlotte nc, i can afford dealership costs
Any ideas appreciated,

Thanks for your time
Jay

 

Neutral safety switch on the clutch pedal maybe?

 

i hear the click like it working when i press the clutch in over in the passanger side not sure where to test that

 

 

Anyone check the ground at the back of the head? It typically needs to be disconnected to install headers...

 

Does the car have any aftermarket electronics that are tapped into the column harness?

 

That ground(G107) is for the coil packs. Even if they were disconnected, the engine would still crank.

 

i am not sure if any column mods are done to it. when i changed the ignition switch i did not see any splices in the harness

it has a a skip shift module some one put on it somewhere and it the stock chip was reprogrammed when exhaust was installed.

i have had the car about a year.

i just went out and tried to find the clutch relay and starter relay, i checked all my fuses.

I think the starter relay is in a metal box under the passenger foot panel. Is that the BCM ? I removed that metal box and took it apart. I didnt see any cold solder joints or any corossion, looked good and clean connectors look fine.

I also topped up the water in the battery just now too.

Thanks for time and help, keep the ideas coming
Jay

 

Ideas? Have you gone through the schematic I posted with a DMM?

 

i printed out the schematic, but the problem is i cant trace wiring until is doesnt want to start. it started every time today darn thing!

 

True, but you can be prepared, meter and schematic in the car...clear access to the TDR, etc.

 

Good point, I had forgotten about that.

 

already done man i pulled the bcm today and found the pins to the starter relay

 

Do you have a window valet? I had one go bad and cause the symptoms you are describing.

 

I dont have window valet. It didnt want to start again so i took the key out flipped it 180degrees and it started ?

How does that resistor affect the car, is wouldnt start one day but i push started it.

-does the resistor just stop the starter or is it a ignition kill?

-how can i bypass it is there a cheap way to do that?

could it be the column lock?

thanks
jay

 

The computer reads the resistance of the pellet, no read no start. You can measure the resistance of your pellet, go to Radio Shack and get a precision resistor and solder it in.

 

I went to Radio Shack and bought 2 resistors and put them in parallel to get my resistance i needed. I just put in the car i think that was it!

Thanks!


Now just one more problem to fix! For some reason the passenger window/door leaks water when it rains. Very annoying having the car fogged up. These two problems have made me have a love/hate relationship with this car.......

The passenger window seal looks good, it just like it is pulled away from the car on the vertical top corner about 2mm. I tried re-gluing it to the car but it still leaks water on carpet and collects under back of passenger seat.

Also the passenger door you have to close it hard. Could hinge be worn? It had like 31K when i got it and hardly anyone rides with me and has 47K now. Are the hinges adjustable on this car? or would be weatherstripping issue. I can take pics and post up here if anyone knows how to correct this i would sure appreciate your time.

Thanks for your time again,
Jay

 

well i was wrong again didnt start again, going to put a wire on the starter wire to make sure sigal is getting to starter when not starting.

thinking it might be the ignition lock cylinder itself anyone had that problem before?