C5 Starting Issues
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Powell, OH
C5 Starting Issues
I am brand new to the forum and need some advice. I have a 1998 C5 Automatic that all of a sudden decided it would not start. Here is what happened:
Last Friday I was driving around most of the afternoon. I came home and parked her in the Garage. Later, my wife and I were going out and we got in the Corvette, I turned the key and nothing... The starter did not even click... All of my lights worked and I believe I heard the fuel pump motor priming.
So the next day I tried to Jump start the car and the same thing happened so I realized it was not a battery issue. I did some research on the Web and it sounded like an ignition switch problem but I am not 100% sure. I called the Chevy dealership and asked them and they said it could be the ignition switch but it could also be something else. My question is what else? Should I take it to the dealership to fix or should I just try to replace the ignition switch myself? I really do not want a tow charge and a $1000 repair bill. Any suggestions would be really helpful. Thanks!
Last Friday I was driving around most of the afternoon. I came home and parked her in the Garage. Later, my wife and I were going out and we got in the Corvette, I turned the key and nothing... The starter did not even click... All of my lights worked and I believe I heard the fuel pump motor priming.
So the next day I tried to Jump start the car and the same thing happened so I realized it was not a battery issue. I did some research on the Web and it sounded like an ignition switch problem but I am not 100% sure. I called the Chevy dealership and asked them and they said it could be the ignition switch but it could also be something else. My question is what else? Should I take it to the dealership to fix or should I just try to replace the ignition switch myself? I really do not want a tow charge and a $1000 repair bill. Any suggestions would be really helpful. Thanks!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 266
Likes: 59
From: Williston Florida
Get underneath and jump the starter solenoid from the main cable to the small wire side post, if it cranks, it could be the ignition switch, if nothing happens the solenoid is most likely the problem. If you hear a click and nothing happens the starter itself might be needing overhaul or replacement. Keep your face away, it could throw sparks at your eyes. Safety glasses are recommended. You can borrow, or rent a remote starter button from an auto parts store to be safer, but I always use a screwdriver for this. Don't short anything to ground.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 34
Likes: 14
From: Newport Beach, CA
Since it's an automatic, may want to check that the shift cable didn't become detached. The bushings that attach the cable to the transmission and the shifter get brittle over time. It happened to me and if the transmission isn't in the park position, the engine will not turn over.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,117
Likes: 793
From: Espanola New Mexico
The first thing to check is the battery cables at the battery and on the starter solenoid, make sure they are clean and tight. The second thing to check is the TDR relay located in the passenger footwell area above the BCM. The TDR should click on every time you turn the key to the start position, if it does not then you could have problems with the ignition switch contacts or the Park safety switch. Is your Security light off, if it is not off then the car will not crank over. Lastly you can place a heavy gauge jumper wire between the heavy gauge red and purple wire on the TDR socket, CAUTION doing this will energize the starter and bypass the requirement for the car to be in Park. Jumpering the TDR this way will tell you if the control side of the starting circuit is not working, or the starter/solenoid is failing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,486
Likes: 473
From: New Jersey
I am brand new to the forum and need some advice. I have a 1998 C5 Automatic that all of a sudden decided it would not start. Here is what happened:
Last Friday I was driving around most of the afternoon. I came home and parked her in the Garage. Later, my wife and I were going out and we got in the Corvette, I turned the key and nothing... The starter did not even click... All of my lights worked and I believe I heard the fuel pump motor priming.
So the next day I tried to Jump start the car and the same thing happened so I realized it was not a battery issue. I did some research on the Web and it sounded like an ignition switch problem but I am not 100% sure. I called the Chevy dealership and asked them and they said it could be the ignition switch but it could also be something else. My question is what else? Should I take it to the dealership to fix or should I just try to replace the ignition switch myself? I really do not want a tow charge and a $1000 repair bill. Any suggestions would be really helpful. Thanks!
Last Friday I was driving around most of the afternoon. I came home and parked her in the Garage. Later, my wife and I were going out and we got in the Corvette, I turned the key and nothing... The starter did not even click... All of my lights worked and I believe I heard the fuel pump motor priming.
So the next day I tried to Jump start the car and the same thing happened so I realized it was not a battery issue. I did some research on the Web and it sounded like an ignition switch problem but I am not 100% sure. I called the Chevy dealership and asked them and they said it could be the ignition switch but it could also be something else. My question is what else? Should I take it to the dealership to fix or should I just try to replace the ignition switch myself? I really do not want a tow charge and a $1000 repair bill. Any suggestions would be really helpful. Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 129
From: Plainfield IN
Lol - you’re going to a wrong dealership - my Chevy dealership has and continues to work on older corvetteS - my ‘94 & my ‘98. They have 3 techs that do a great job for me and many other Corvette owners.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 413
Likes: 24
From: Bloomfield Hills Michigan
As the Service Manager at one dealership said, "Your car is older than some of my Techs. They'd have absolutely no clue what to do..."
Good luck!
Jeff
Last edited by kalayaan12; Jul 7, 2020 at 09:31 PM.
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 278
Likes: 150
From: Calgary AB
Mine is the starter. If I have a dead key I just have to go our and bang the starter once and it fires up. Just have to find the time to replace it. Might be an autumn or winter project. I drive it as much as possible right now.