Okay, I've researched, but the info isn't decisive enough.

Let's face it, there about 1,000 reasons it may not be starting.

I went to AutoZone, did their free ignition system diagnostic and that came back 100% good across the board -- they even charged my battery for free. So right away I'm thinking it's the key chip.

But then I also started thinking that the test was done on a system that did, in fact, start up. Therefore, wouldn't it only give a false reading on the defective phase of the startup if the car had not started?

Additionally, I was at the store the other day and it failed to start again. However, this time I was able to get it to a point where if I rapidly cranked the key a few times consecutively it would begin to turn over (sounded like a dead battery would sound). I stepped on the gas a few times and after the 3rd attempt using this method along with turning the crank it started.

My Questions:

1> Am I correct in thinking AutoZone only would have gotten a false reading had the car NOT started?

2> Anyone have a sure fire way of figuring out what the problem is based on that description?

I don't want to dump money into a solenoid if it's the starter. I don't want to dump money on a starter if it's the solenoid. And I don't want to dump money on a key if it's either of the above.

HELP!

 

I don't see a description of what happens when it won't start and any DIC codes you may have gotten when it happened.

 

The description being:

It starts sometimes and not others -- usually starts when parked for a long period of time (day or more). Lights and gauges come to life when ignition is released, but no start.

Most recently it failed as mentioned above, but I was allowed to crank the engine after a few rapid back to back turns of the key.

The motor finally started when I did the above combined with pumping the gas.

No DIC codes.

Need anything else?

 

ttt

 

The C5 is very sensitive to battery voltage. How old is your battery ?? That would be the first thing I would look at and replace. The next is the chassis grounds. Look at the service manual and find all the grounds in the system. There are 7-8 if I remember correctly, check and clean ALL of them as necessary. Bad ground can cause you to pull your hair out with intermittant problems.

 

starter motor is prob. going out

Your description of events is indicative of what happens when the starter motor brushes wear out and no longer make good contact with the commutator. As in .. strong battery, weak crank, fiddle with it ... might spin

I bet the next time it happens if you rap on the starter a few times with a broomstick, it'll fire right up.

 

Great, sounds like I got a lot of work to do.

Thanks guys. Sounds like you narrowed it down for me... or at least pointed out some things I didn't think of.

Thanks again.

 

My suggestion would be to follow the Bill Curlee diagnostics in the sticky above. My intermittent start problem turned out to be the ignition switch but I tested and ruled out the battery and starter before I got there.

 

I have a similar issue and I'm sure it's my solenoid...

Whenever my car won't start, I get a breaker bar and slide it through my long tubes and tap the solenoid... presto, starts up first attempt every time.