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Please help, car wont start!!

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Old Feb 8, 2011 | 07:07 PM
  #1  
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Default Please help, car wont start!!

So first off let me just introduce myself. I'm new to your forum but a life long corvette owner/lover. I've had a passion for these cars my whole like and have recently gotten myself into quite a project. About a month ago I bought a 2003 C5 Z06 that suffered some freshwater flood damage. The owner drove it into a small pond; the car was only partially submerged for approximately an hour. I won’t lie to you the car got VERY wet. I bought the car pretty much as is after the accident. I then set out to start fixing the car. Being a long time DIY'er when it came to my cars this project didn’t scare me.

I gutted the interior pulled out the seats, trim, carpet and dried and cleaned everything over a 2 week period and reassembled the interior. I saved almost all of the original parts inside the car and then turned my attentions to the rest. There was some minor steering/suspension damage that I repaired from going off the road and into the water. But not this is where things get difficult. I already had my local dealer replace the BCM and main fuse block on the passenger side floor. This got the car running and driving. I actually took it out this weekend for a quick spin around the block. I started to feel like I was in the home stretch but this evening I turned my attention to the rest of the electrical system. The car has had "service engine soon" and "service active handling" popping up on the dash even I bought it so I got my scan tool and pulled a code out of the computer that was P0133. From what I read this is only an O2 sensor error so I cleared it. But I kept getting those 2 warnings. So I did some searching and found instructions of how to use the cars computer to check for code and this is where it gets good.

It gave my 22 trouble codes in the system from most of the major systems in the car. I will list all codes below. So to try to get those lights to not come on I went through and cleared all the codes. All except 1 are gone. But now the car won’t start!!! I know I must have done something wrong clearing all those codes but I assumed most of them were from the water damage and the BCM being replaced. I obviously was wrong because now the car won’t start. I turn the key all the dash lights turn on, I hear the fuel pump prime but when I turn the key nothing happens. Please any help will be appreciated. I’ve don’t a bunch of googling and haven’t found and solid info on how to fix this. Below I will list all the codes I cleared in case any of that info is helpful.


28-TCS C1233 H
28-TCS C1286 H
28-TCS C1287 H C

40-BCM B0432 H
40-BCM B2588 H

58-SDM U1064 H

60-IPC U1255 H
60-IPC U1064 H

80-RADIO U1064 H

99-HVAC U1064 H

A0-LDCM B2204 H
A0-LDCM B2206 H
A0-LDCM B2208 H
A0-LDCM B2282 H
A0-LDCM B2284 H
A0-LDCM U1064 H

A1-RDCM B2283 H
A1-RDCM B2285 H
A1-RDCM U1064 H

A6-SCM NO COMM.

B0-RFA U1255 H
B0-RFA U1064 H
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Old Feb 8, 2011 | 07:11 PM
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What 1 code did not clear? Is it the C1287? What is your battery voltage? Did you check connections at the starter? Is the Security light remaining on?

Last edited by seoulbrooks; Feb 8, 2011 at 07:14 PM.
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Old Feb 8, 2011 | 08:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Frunkus
So first off let me just introduce myself. I'm new to your forum but a life long corvette owner/lover. I've had a passion for these cars my whole like and have recently gotten myself into quite a project. About a month ago I bought a 2003 C5 Z06 that suffered some freshwater flood damage. The owner drove it into a small pond; the car was only partially submerged for approximately an hour. I won’t lie to you the car got VERY wet. I bought the car pretty much as is after the accident. I then set out to start fixing the car. Being a long time DIY'er when it came to my cars this project didn’t scare me.

I gutted the interior pulled out the seats, trim, carpet and dried and cleaned everything over a 2 week period and reassembled the interior. I saved almost all of the original parts inside the car and then turned my attentions to the rest. There was some minor steering/suspension damage that I repaired from going off the road and into the water. But not this is where things get difficult. I already had my local dealer replace the BCM and main fuse block on the passenger side floor. This got the car running and driving. I actually took it out this weekend for a quick spin around the block. I started to feel like I was in the home stretch but this evening I turned my attention to the rest of the electrical system. The car has had "service engine soon" and "service active handling" popping up on the dash even I bought it so I got my scan tool and pulled a code out of the computer that was P0133. From what I read this is only an O2 sensor error so I cleared it. But I kept getting those 2 warnings. So I did some searching and found instructions of how to use the cars computer to check for code and this is where it gets good.

It gave my 22 trouble codes in the system from most of the major systems in the car. I will list all codes below. So to try to get those lights to not come on I went through and cleared all the codes. All except 1 are gone. But now the car won’t start!!! I know I must have done something wrong clearing all those codes but I assumed most of them were from the water damage and the BCM being replaced. I obviously was wrong because now the car won’t start. I turn the key all the dash lights turn on, I hear the fuel pump prime but when I turn the key nothing happens. Please any help will be appreciated. I’ve don’t a bunch of googling and haven’t found and solid info on how to fix this. Below I will list all the codes I cleared in case any of that info is helpful.


28-TCS C1233 H
28-TCS C1286 H
28-TCS C1287 H C

40-BCM B0432 H
40-BCM B2588 H

58-SDM U1064 H

60-IPC U1255 H
60-IPC U1064 H

80-RADIO U1064 H

99-HVAC U1064 H

A0-LDCM B2204 H
A0-LDCM B2206 H
A0-LDCM B2208 H
A0-LDCM B2282 H
A0-LDCM B2284 H
A0-LDCM U1064 H

A1-RDCM B2283 H
A1-RDCM B2285 H
A1-RDCM U1064 H

A6-SCM NO COMM.

B0-RFA U1255 H
B0-RFA U1064 H
Good luck with that. Even in the water only an hour...you may fight issues indefinitely.

**Edit** Forgot to to say. Cut your losses.....and part it out.

Last edited by lucky131969; Feb 8, 2011 at 08:14 PM.
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Old Feb 8, 2011 | 08:16 PM
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Yes the only code that I’m getting is 28-TCS C1287 H C everything else shows "no codes." I know that clearing the codes has to be the cause some how. When I first scanned it with my scan tool and got the P0133 code I then started the car to make sure it was okay and it started right up and idle fine. I then turned if off took out the key went inside to get my directions for using the internal code system in the car. I cleared out all those codes as I mentioned and then it wouldn’t start. I had it running 5 minutes before and the only thing I did was pull and clear that list. That is why I’m thinking what ever happened must be in conjunction with that.

I rechecked it with my scan tool and its showing no codes there and using the dash to check the only one that won’t permanently clear is 28-TCS C1287 H C.

Being a flood car I’m expecting a certain level of gremlins to be in the car for a while until I case them all down but to be honest the entire repair process has went pretty smooth up until now.
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Old Feb 8, 2011 | 08:19 PM
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Your pain is just beginning. The Engine Control Computer and Body Control Module are both on the passenger side (fender and footwell), if that was the side underwater there will be PAIN!

Last edited by dougbfresh; Feb 8, 2011 at 08:23 PM.
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Old Feb 8, 2011 | 08:49 PM
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From what I understood it wasn't totally submerged. It was more in at an angle the nose went in first and left side had the most water damage. The right side carpet and rear compartment did have water too. The highest spot I found water was the shift boot/ash tray so I think the center console acted as a wall and it eventually went over onto the passenger side. The climate control radio and cluster defiantly didn’t get wet. It was the lower half of the car and the driver side was the worst. So that being said I have already addressed the BCM and fuse block with it. I’m considering unplugging it and the plugging it back in to reset it, anyone think this might be a good idea?

I know most people have a fear when they hear "flood car" and all the electrical nightmares that go along with it. From my experience I have seen cars flooded worse then this one and fixed to run perfectly with no long term issues. I know it had to be something I did messing with those codes. I am just looking for a little guidance in fixing what I did so I can get the car running again.
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Old Feb 8, 2011 | 08:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Frunkus
From what I understood it wasn't totally submerged. It was more in at an angle the nose went in first and left side had the most water damage. The right side carpet and rear compartment did have water too. The highest spot I found water was the shift boot/ash tray so I think the center console acted as a wall and it eventually went over onto the passenger side. The climate control radio and cluster defiantly didn’t get wet. It was the lower half of the car and the driver side was the worst. So that being said I have already addressed the BCM and fuse block with it. I’m considering unplugging it and the plugging it back in to reset it, anyone think this might be a good idea?

I know most people have a fear when they hear "flood car" and all the electrical nightmares that go along with it. From my experience I have seen cars flooded worse then this one and fixed to run perfectly with no long term issues. I know it had to be something I did messing with those codes. I am just looking for a little guidance in fixing what I did so I can get the car running again.
No way that did anything at all. Have you checked the battery connections at the starter as well as the battery? These cars are very sensitive to voltage loss and corroded wiring harness connections are going to be a nightmare PERIOD.
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Old Feb 12, 2011 | 03:30 PM
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Okay so I’ve spent all day trying to get the car to start and still nothing, I have a long list of things that I can tell you that I know it isn’t.

1. I let it sit for 15 - 20 with the battery completely disconnected it and then reconnected it and still nothing.

2. I ran a jumper wire to check the neutral safety switch

3. I ran anther jumper wire and checked the theft deterrent relay

4. I check all fuses on both fuse boxes (passenger side floor/under hood)

5. I clearly hear the fuel pump turn on so I know it’s not that

6. I hit the starter with a hammer (I know it crude but hey I’ll try anything)

7. I tried the key set technique (leave it for 10 min at a time)

8. Someone else told me to let it sit for 4 min with key in on position with both doors open

9. I completed disconnected the BCM and reconnected it

10. Disconnected the TPS sensor while key was on and reconnected

11. Went in again cleared all codes

12. Check main engine ground

13. checked connections to starter

That about everything I can remember and I still get the exact same thing. All the power turns on in the vehicle, the security light turns off on the dash, I hear the fuel pump turn on but when I turn the key nothing happens with the engine or starter.

At this point I’m considering replacing the starter just to rule it out but I can’t possibly see how the starter went bad the exact same moment I cleared those original trouble codes.
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Old Feb 12, 2011 | 03:35 PM
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Do you have and CURRENT codes?
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Old Feb 12, 2011 | 03:41 PM
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the only code that keeps coming back it TCS C1287
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Old Feb 12, 2011 | 03:45 PM
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TCS code should not stop it from starting. Does it CRANK and not fire or not even CRANK?

If it does not crank, I would suspect the ignition switch 1st. There is a thead around about how to take it apart and clean the contacts-do an ADVANCED SEARCH for it. Won't cost you anything but some time to tear it apart and clean it up inside.
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Old Feb 12, 2011 | 03:47 PM
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it doesnt even crank
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Old Feb 12, 2011 | 05:40 PM
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Does the solenoid do its major click? If so, then you've got a bad solenoid. If not, make sure the car is in neutral first. Gain access to the TDR relay, remove its cover and manually push the contacts closed. The starter should turn over. We'll go from there based upon what happens.
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Old Feb 12, 2011 | 06:09 PM
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When you turn the ignition to the start position do you get 12 volts to the purple wire at the starter? Test from the purple wire to ground.

If not, the starter isn't most likely your problem and it could be many things which many people will help you track down.

If so, then the starter should be cranking and a lot of other trouble shooting can be eliminated.

HTH
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Old Feb 12, 2011 | 09:28 PM
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That's why I was suggesting he manually push the contacts on the TDR as that will send the 12volts to the solenoid and save having two people do it.
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Old Feb 13, 2011 | 11:02 AM
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It sorta sounds like the water may have gotten to your starter.Any way to put 12volts to the solenoid to se if it cranks?
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Old Feb 13, 2011 | 04:46 PM
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Well i finally solved it. It was the starter. I had a neighbor come over and help me and while he turned the key I messed around with the connections on the starter and it fired up. The one connector almost feels like there play on it. i apply pressure and that allows a connection inside the starter to be made and it fires up but if i'm no pushing on it nothing happens. So i went to my local advanced and order a replacement starter this morning. they said it will take over a week to get in but i don't care now that i know what the problem is all i have to do is replace it.
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Old Feb 13, 2011 | 05:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Frunkus
Well i finally solved it. It was the starter. I had a neighbor come over and help me and while he turned the key I messed around with the connections on the starter and it fired up. The one connector almost feels like there play on it. i apply pressure and that allows a connection inside the starter to be made and it fires up but if i'm no pushing on it nothing happens. So i went to my local advanced and order a replacement starter this morning. they said it will take over a week to get in but i don't care now that i know what the problem is all i have to do is replace it.
I went thru the same thing you did.. checking everything and it was the starter burnt up,,,, Get A Heat Sheild for the starter..Advance auto should have, if not order one.... Keep the heat off the starter!!!! Good luck with your project...
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Old Feb 13, 2011 | 05:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Ole Blaster
I went thru the same thing you did.. checking everything and it was the starter burnt up,,,, Get A Heat Sheild for the starter..Advance auto should have, if not order one.... Keep the heat off the starter!!!! Good luck with your project...
I meant solenoid was fried... but you got it
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Old Feb 13, 2011 | 10:24 PM
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Before you replace it,check the cable connection at the starter.They are bad about loosening and becoming burnt/corroded.
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