Car won't start
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Car won't start
About 6 months ago we changed the battery in my 2004 c5 with the flip up headlights. Now the car wont start again. It just clicks. Tried to use a jumppack to start it but still just clicks. Unplugged the jumppack and now the car wont even click. No interior lights come on and powerlocks wont work. I am not car savvy so any advice would help!! Thanks!
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 330
Likes: 48
From: Poconos PA
All 3 Vettes I've had suffered from parasitic current draw when the car sits in the garage with nothing on. Clicking is the starter solenoid not getting enough power to crank the engine. Your jumper pack likely either has a bad battery too, or insufficient charge, charge it up and try again. When you turned the ignition key to the starting position you depleted what ever power your battery had left, and thus now it does nothing.
If you have a 12v battery charger, or somebody you can borrow one from - set it up on 12v 10amp after connecting the leads to the corvette battery and give it 3 hours.
If you have a 12v battery charger, or somebody you can borrow one from - set it up on 12v 10amp after connecting the leads to the corvette battery and give it 3 hours.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,217
Likes: 784
From: Fort Myers Beach Florida
Remove the battery terminals and clean them. Check the battery voltage, it should be over 12.5 volts if the battery is healthy and fully charged. If it still clicks have the battery load tested. Harbor Freight has a cheap load tester and many auto stores will test if free. Good Luck!
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Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Cape Coral, Florida
About 6 months ago we changed the battery in my 2004 c5 with the flip up headlights. Now the car wont start again. It just clicks. Tried to use a jumppack to start it but still just clicks. Unplugged the jumppack and now the car wont even click. No interior lights come on and powerlocks wont work. I am not car savvy so any advice would help!! Thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
Not all jumper boxes are created equal. I found in cold weather, the one I had, rated at around 300cca, was not sufficient.
Had to go to a V10 version, which IIRC, puts out 400 and change.
And if the charge on it is low, it still may not have enough power to turn over the C5
Along the same line, depending on how “dead” the battery is, you may have to let the jump box sit (attached to the battery) for several minutes to let it transfer some power to the car battery before it will turn the car over - which is what I have to do on my GFs V6.
Concur with previous poster - make sure the terminals are crud free, and make sure the terminals are tight. Had an issue with mine after changing the batter that the post screws were partially stripped, causing a loose connection at the battery and a no power/no start condition. Replaced the screws, tightened up, no more problems.
Had to go to a V10 version, which IIRC, puts out 400 and change.
And if the charge on it is low, it still may not have enough power to turn over the C5
Along the same line, depending on how “dead” the battery is, you may have to let the jump box sit (attached to the battery) for several minutes to let it transfer some power to the car battery before it will turn the car over - which is what I have to do on my GFs V6.
Concur with previous poster - make sure the terminals are crud free, and make sure the terminals are tight. Had an issue with mine after changing the batter that the post screws were partially stripped, causing a loose connection at the battery and a no power/no start condition. Replaced the screws, tightened up, no more problems.
Last edited by aj98; Jul 6, 2018 at 02:19 PM.
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From: Cape Coral, Florida
OK, how about ASE L1 Advanced Engine Performance Specialist....I think 1 in 10 pass this test on their first try....one of my co workers is one (he's one of the one's)...opened up his own shop on the side...his shop is ALWAYS busy !!...if I had to choose between the "Nose Picker" at Pep Boys or a Dealership Tech....I'd go with the L1 ASE...LOL !!!
Last edited by C5 Diag; Jul 6, 2018 at 02:56 PM.
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OK, how about ASE L1 Advanced Engine Performance Specialist....I think 1 in 10 pass this test on their first try....one of my co workers is one (he's one of the one's)...opened up his own shop on the side...his shop is ALWAYS busy !!...if I had to choose between the "Nose Picker" at Pep Boys or a Dealership Tech....I'd go with the L1 ASE...LOL !!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
Since it clicks when the jump pack is connected, but not without, then the implication is still low / insufficient charge. Fully charge the jump pack, connect same and power it on, then let it sit for several minutes before attempting to start the car.
(My new jump box has an indicator light to show when)
IF that fails, but you still get the click, then it may be time to push it out of the garage and use real jumper cables and another vehicle,
If it starts then let it run for at least 1/2 hr and watch the voltage gauge. Mine reads 14,1 when running,
(When trying to start, if the gauge drops to much under 11, it will not start,)
(My new jump box has an indicator light to show when)
IF that fails, but you still get the click, then it may be time to push it out of the garage and use real jumper cables and another vehicle,
If it starts then let it run for at least 1/2 hr and watch the voltage gauge. Mine reads 14,1 when running,
(When trying to start, if the gauge drops to much under 11, it will not start,)
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
All 3 Vettes I've had suffered from parasitic current draw when the car sits in the garage with nothing on. Clicking is the starter solenoid not getting enough power to crank the engine. Your jumper pack likely either has a bad battery too, or insufficient charge, charge it up and try again. When you turned the ignition key to the starting position you depleted what ever power your battery had left, and thus now it does nothing.
If you have a 12v battery charger, or somebody you can borrow one from - set it up on 12v 10amp after connecting the leads to the corvette battery and give it 3 hours.
If you have a 12v battery charger, or somebody you can borrow one from - set it up on 12v 10amp after connecting the leads to the corvette battery and give it 3 hours.