Sanity check- starting problem
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 64
Likes: 45
From: Nokomis Florida
Sanity check- starting problem
Starting issue. Vette sometimes clicks 2-3 times then starts and sometimes it doesn't click just starts? 2 year old Red Top, alt charging at 14.3v on dash and at battery check.
I've read all the post and tried almost every thing with no change. Took battery to Autozone for a check. It was low 11.3v so they deep cell charged it, 12.6v. Checked it when I got home with my Harbor Freight cheap vmeter it was 12.3v, ok close. Hooked it up did a draw down with the headlights, went down and recovered to 12.3v. Vette cranked right up. Sat over night and same thing 11.3v and not even a click. Cleaned all grounds under the hood and they needed it. I have not checked the positive wire at the starter. Put it on a tebder overnight cranked up first try. After sitting for 4 hours minus the tender I get 3-4 clicks then it started.
Driving me nuts. Ideas please.
I've read all the post and tried almost every thing with no change. Took battery to Autozone for a check. It was low 11.3v so they deep cell charged it, 12.6v. Checked it when I got home with my Harbor Freight cheap vmeter it was 12.3v, ok close. Hooked it up did a draw down with the headlights, went down and recovered to 12.3v. Vette cranked right up. Sat over night and same thing 11.3v and not even a click. Cleaned all grounds under the hood and they needed it. I have not checked the positive wire at the starter. Put it on a tebder overnight cranked up first try. After sitting for 4 hours minus the tender I get 3-4 clicks then it started.
Driving me nuts. Ideas please.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,758
Likes: 24,681
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Moved to C5 Tech.
Moderator, Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15,430
Likes: 3,981
From: Cape Coral, Florida
So I’m assuming you are running the car and hooked up your voltmeter to the battery and when you turned on headlights, blower, etc...it went “down” as you say and recovered to 12.3 ??...12.3 means the battery is not charging...should charge between 13.5 to 14.5 even with a load !!...if they charged it to 12.6 (full charge) and when you got home it was only 12.3 evidently your charging system that needs attention !!..,if the Zone said the battery is good you have either A...a bad alternator or B...resistance in the charging circuit.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 64
Likes: 45
From: Nokomis Florida
Thank you for the response. I did the draw down with the engine off. 12.3v battery went down to 11.7v with headlights on 30 sec and the battery then recovered to 12.3v when lights off.
Moderator, Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15,430
Likes: 3,981
From: Cape Coral, Florida
Never heard of doing this “drawdown test” you were doing ??...did you get your battery “load tested” at the Zone ??
Last edited by C5 Diag; Mar 30, 2019 at 07:52 PM.
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
C5 and even C6 starter solenoids are WELL KNOWN to cause this issue. The solution is to replace the solenoid. However, you have to completely remove the starter to do that and it around 50-60 clams. Most just get a reman starter.
You should check the connections on the battery, and starter solenoid to be sure that they are clean and tight before you replace parts.
You should check the connections on the battery, and starter solenoid to be sure that they are clean and tight before you replace parts.
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Apr 1, 2019 at 01:40 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski