Intermittence Starting
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6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 6
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Intermittence Starting
I have a 2001 Z06. Sometimes I put the key in the ignition and turn it on and my car starts. At least 2 or 3 times a day when I do this I put my foot on the clutch and turn the key then start the car and lights go on and my car doesn't start. So I sit and wait. If I turn the key upsidedown and put it in the ignition and repeat what I did a couple of times the car will eventually start. Sometimes I get out of the car lock it and then unlock it and try again. I need to get this problem fixed. Who has some good advice to share.
My car started doing this about 10 months ago, but it has gotten worse.
My car started doing this about 10 months ago, but it has gotten worse.
Last edited by Libra2001; Sep 18, 2014 at 12:15 PM. Reason: I wanted to add more.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,127
Likes: 799
From: Espanola New Mexico
Try cleaning the resistance chip on your key, you may also have ignition switch problems, which are caused by contacts getting pitted from arching when the contacts make and break. One easy thing to try is to rap the starter/solenoid and see if it starts if it does you need to check electrical wiring at the starter or possibly replace.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
YEP!! Start there.
I agree on it could be several different issues.
Start at the battery and clean and properly torque the battery terminals 97-2003 C5 = 11 FT/LBS of torque for proper battery terminal/cable connections.
Make sure that the main 12 VDC connection on the solenoid is clean and tight and NOT burnt, corroded or damaged.
You could have a bad Theft Deterrent Relay but, they don’t usually go intermittently. They usually just outright fail.
Last but not least:
C5 & C6s have a well-known and common problem with defective starter solenoids. Over time, the high current switches inside the solenoid gets burnt and warped and hangs up.
If you have someone hold the ignition switch in the CRANK position, thump the solenoid/starter with a rubber or plastic mallet and If it causes it to crank, replace the solenoid and or the starter (as you have to remove the entire starter to access the solenoid).
Bill
