C5 starter issues
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 29
Likes: 1
C5 starter issues
I have a 1999 c5 and the starter went out. Everything on the dash would light up as normal and when you turn the key you hear one click which I assume is the starter engaging to the flywheel. Me and a friend replaced the starter with a refurbished one and noticed the wiring to it did not look OEM. After we replaced it the car started great for about a week and then had the same issue. I got annoyed and took the car to a shop. The shop replaced it again and the car then worked fine for about a month and the same issue occurred. I pop started it and took it back to them and when they went to look at it the car apparently started right up with no issues. So then I drove it for about another week and then the same issue occurred again. I left the car sit overnight and tried thinking maybe the headers were causing it to overheat but had no luck. I am not sure what the issue could be but possibly the starter might be getting shorted out somehow and failing? let me know if anyone has any suggestions it would be greatly appreciated!
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,984
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
When I had issues with the starter it turned out not to be the starter, it was the wiring going to the starter that was my problem. The aftermarket headers cooked the wiring. I'm not saying that's your problem, but it's worth checking out. Hope you find your problem 
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 12,466
Likes: 886
From: Fort Wayne IN
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C5 of the Year Finalist
2016 C5 of the Year Finalist
2015 C5 of the Year Finalist
That's my thought also is that the wiring is suspect and not the starter.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,353
Likes: 24,782
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 '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Moved to C5 Tech.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,138
Likes: 802
From: Espanola New Mexico
The click you hear could be the TDR, it is the relay that sends 12volts to the starter solenoid to crank the engine over. The TDR resides in the passenger footwell area behind the toe board and is mounted above the BCM. If your are proficient with multimeter you can clip on to the switch terminal on the starter solenoid "purple wire" and ground and make sure that 12v is there when the key is turned to the start position but does not crank. I recall some posts here where the purple wire had broken right at the ring terminal, or the wire was partially broken and hanging on by a few strands of wire.
