Key dying or ignition issue?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 76
From: Portland OR
Key dying or ignition issue?
Was stuck in a parking lot for about 15 minutes. Car started and ran fine, but as soon as I started to let out the clutch and move forward it died. Tried reving it up, still dies. Waited a few minutes, tried again and was ok. Then my security light came on but went out.
Then went I was leaving for work this morning I noticed the doors didn't unlock when I put the key in. I pulled it out and tried again and it unlocked, but it wouldn't turn. Took a minute, then I was all good.
Not sure how old this key is, I will try the wife's new one tonight.
'01 manual coupe with 180k miles.
Then went I was leaving for work this morning I noticed the doors didn't unlock when I put the key in. I pulled it out and tried again and it unlocked, but it wouldn't turn. Took a minute, then I was all good.
Not sure how old this key is, I will try the wife's new one tonight.
'01 manual coupe with 180k miles.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
A few years ago, I had a similar experience. After reading many starting issues, I decide to do a passive fix/preventative procedure before I start replacing stuff. I wiped my key with alcohol and do so often. Every 6 months or so I spray electrical cleaner in the key hole. Today, no further issues. I also remove all the stuff on my key chain except the fob and house key. Hope your wife's key helps your situation.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 353
From: Little Rock Arkansas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
A few years ago, I had a similar experience. After reading many starting issues, I decide to do a passive fix/preventative procedure before I start replacing stuff. I wiped my key with alcohol and do so often. Every 6 months or so I spray electrical cleaner in the key hole. Today, no further issues. I also remove all the stuff on my key chain except the fob and house key. Hope your wife's key helps your situation.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
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
Race Director
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 13,175
Likes: 129
From: Louisiana
St.. Jude Donor '17-'18
I had a similar experience, one of the tabs that the vats chip touches in the ignition broke in Wal-Mart's
parking lot. It would crank and drive for a few feet then die. I put some aluminum foil in the broke spot to get contact with the missing tab.
parking lot. It would crank and drive for a few feet then die. I put some aluminum foil in the broke spot to get contact with the missing tab.
Last edited by 001pewter; May 9, 2019 at 10:55 PM.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,947
Likes: 24,704
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
Had a bad VATS sensor - replaced lock assembly
My sensor contacts in the keyslot were bad. Got another whole ignition switch on Fleebay and had the lock tumblers rekeyed to match my ignition key, Locksmiths wanted a FORTUNE to do that.
Called around and found my Cheyy dealer would rekey it for $30. The cylinder is removable from the Ignition Switch but you still want it to be keyed to match the doors.
Called around and found my Cheyy dealer would rekey it for $30. The cylinder is removable from the Ignition Switch but you still want it to be keyed to match the doors.
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
The problem that you are having is either a PULL KEY WAIT 10 seconds OR a VATS SECURITY ISSUE. You already stated that you have the LMC5 but, I'm pretty sure that you are seeing the fuel shut off due to the column lock issue. If the car starts and runs but shuts OFF when it is moved, that is a Column Lock Related fuel shut off. Are you sure that the LCM-5 is working correctly??
If it was security VATS issue the car would not crank at all. Look carefully at the DIC and at the security light in the IPC. Does it come on and go out when you insert the key and turn it to ON OR does it flash after the key is ON.
The very next time it happens,,,, Immediately "WITHOUT" turning OFF the Ignition, Clear any messages in the DIC by pressing and holding RESET until the message disappears and then read ALL the DTCs. Please post what DTCs you get. That will tell you what the cause of the problem is if, its VATs or Column Lock Related!!
Bill
If it was security VATS issue the car would not crank at all. Look carefully at the DIC and at the security light in the IPC. Does it come on and go out when you insert the key and turn it to ON OR does it flash after the key is ON.
The very next time it happens,,,, Immediately "WITHOUT" turning OFF the Ignition, Clear any messages in the DIC by pressing and holding RESET until the message disappears and then read ALL the DTCs. Please post what DTCs you get. That will tell you what the cause of the problem is if, its VATs or Column Lock Related!!
Bill
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 65
The problem that you are having is either a PULL KEY WAIT 10 seconds OR a VATS SECURITY ISSUE. You already stated that you have the LMC5 but, I'm pretty sure that you are seeing the fuel shut off due to the column lock issue. If the car starts and runs but shuts OFF when it is moved, that is a Column Lock Related fuel shut off. Are you sure that the LCM-5 is working correctly??
If it was security VATS issue the car would not crank at all. Look carefully at the DIC and at the security light in the IPC. Does it come on and go out when you insert the key and turn it to ON OR does it flash after the key is ON.
The very next time it happens,,,, Immediately "WITHOUT" turning OFF the Ignition, Clear any messages in the DIC by pressing and holding RESET until the message disappears and then read ALL the DTCs. Please post what DTCs you get. That will tell you what the cause of the problem is if, its VATs or Column Lock Related!!
Bill
If it was security VATS issue the car would not crank at all. Look carefully at the DIC and at the security light in the IPC. Does it come on and go out when you insert the key and turn it to ON OR does it flash after the key is ON.
The very next time it happens,,,, Immediately "WITHOUT" turning OFF the Ignition, Clear any messages in the DIC by pressing and holding RESET until the message disappears and then read ALL the DTCs. Please post what DTCs you get. That will tell you what the cause of the problem is if, its VATs or Column Lock Related!!
Bill
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
Pass Key detection circuit is on the fritz... You have to troubleshoot and fix that first. Disconnect the ignition switch key chip sensor connector for the resistor pellet reader from the dash wiring connector under the column and see if you can read the resistance of the key chip on the key with the key in the ignition switch. Read the chip on the key with an OHM METER. The reading on the sensor connector must be the same resistance!!
If you can read the resistance on that side of the 2 wire connector, The ignition switch sensor is working. PS,,, The sensor contacts or the wiring out of the sensor is what fails 90% 0f the time..
Bill
If you can read the resistance on that side of the 2 wire connector, The ignition switch sensor is working. PS,,, The sensor contacts or the wiring out of the sensor is what fails 90% 0f the time..
Bill
Last edited by Bill Curlee; May 13, 2019 at 02:24 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 16,106
Likes: 473
Clean the key chip thing with alcohol and replace battery in key fob. That literally might be it.
Also check the ground for the fob which if I remember per another thread is right driver's side rear wheel well. Look at the chassis , you should see the ground. Might have gunk or paint on it. Be sure it's clean and tight.
Also check the ground for the fob which if I remember per another thread is right driver's side rear wheel well. Look at the chassis , you should see the ground. Might have gunk or paint on it. Be sure it's clean and tight.
Last edited by SLO VETTE; May 15, 2019 at 12:23 AM.