C5 starter issues
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Joined: Sep 2018
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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
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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 
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That's my thought also is that the wiring is suspect and not the starter.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
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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.
