Nothing on key turn
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 503
Likes: 50
From: Bradenton, FL
Nothing on key turn
I am busy looking through forum threads, but wanted to ask the question straight out.
I have a 2003 with 135K miles on it. After driving an hour I stopped at Einstein's for a bagel, I got back into the car to get going. Key in the ignition, turn key, start up cycle goes without a hitch and then nothing. When I cranked the key it was absolute silence. No try, no click. Nothing. All systems dead. Let the key go and the lights and chimes continue to sound like normal. Battery is at the auto parts store being tested and charged. It seems odd that it would be the battery after something like that. Feels more like a dead electronic somewhere.
At work now and will most likely be towing it to the shop this afternoon. Wondering if there is any insight into something like this and a couple of simple checks.
Thanks!
John
I have a 2003 with 135K miles on it. After driving an hour I stopped at Einstein's for a bagel, I got back into the car to get going. Key in the ignition, turn key, start up cycle goes without a hitch and then nothing. When I cranked the key it was absolute silence. No try, no click. Nothing. All systems dead. Let the key go and the lights and chimes continue to sound like normal. Battery is at the auto parts store being tested and charged. It seems odd that it would be the battery after something like that. Feels more like a dead electronic somewhere.
At work now and will most likely be towing it to the shop this afternoon. Wondering if there is any insight into something like this and a couple of simple checks.
Thanks!
John
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 2,466
Likes: 700
From: Clark, NJ
For what it's worth, I had the same exact symptoms when my starter solenoid failed. With some age and mileage it's not uncommon. I replaced mine with the brand new Bosh starter that uses 2 long bolts. The general consensus is it's an upgrade over the original.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,138
Likes: 802
From: Espanola New Mexico
In my 16 years with my 1997 C5 I have had this problem several times, once was a battery that was going bad. Several times it was just the battery cables had come loose, I can't explain why they came loose, but they did, the best place to start troubleshooting a no crank problem is at the TDR located in the passenger footwell area.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 159
From: Lafayette Louisiana
If battery and connections are good it may be your key or the vats reader in the ignition switch. If you have another key try that. I had the same problem a few years ago. Turned out to be the vats reader. I checked the resistance of my key chip and spliced a matching resistor into the vats circuit. No problems since then.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 503
Likes: 50
From: Bradenton, FL
Thanks for all of the comments. It a moment of silent lucidity, I decided to pull the codes. B2723 - PASSLOCK. Looks like it's between UM Rebel and mmartinez. I tried a trick to bypass the TDR using a wire jumper. No dice. Inclined to think my TDR is still functional. Continued to work the ignition switch for 20 minutes or so, and viola! She started with the Security light staying lit. Got her home. Turned her off, pulled the key and restarted without issue. Feels like there is a vat issue at the ignition switch. Will research further.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,138
Likes: 802
From: Espanola New Mexico
I don't understand why the wire jumper at the TDR didn't work, did you jumper between the red and violet wires? If you jumper the red and violet wires with the key in the run position the car should have cranked over and started, if nothing happens then you may have a starter or solenoid going bad or bad cable connections at the starter solenoid.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
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From: H-Town Texas
Thanks for all of the comments. It a moment of silent lucidity, I decided to pull the codes. B2723 - PASSLOCK. Looks like it's between UM Rebel and mmartinez. I tried a trick to bypass the TDR using a wire jumper. No dice. Inclined to think my TDR is still functional. Continued to work the ignition switch for 20 minutes or so, and viola! She started with the Security light staying lit. Got her home. Turned her off, pulled the key and restarted without issue. Feels like there is a vat issue at the ignition switch. Will research further.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,667
Thanks for all of the comments. It a moment of silent lucidity, I decided to pull the codes. B2723 - PASSLOCK. Looks like it's between UM Rebel and mmartinez. I tried a trick to bypass the TDR using a wire jumper. No dice. Inclined to think my TDR is still functional. Continued to work the ignition switch for 20 minutes or so, and viola! She started with the Security light staying lit. Got her home. Turned her off, pulled the key and restarted without issue. Feels like there is a vat issue at the ignition switch. Will research further.
I pulled into a Speedway years ago, filled up my gas tank, and went inside for a soda pop. Came out, turned the key to start the car, and absolutely totally dead. No dash lights, no headlights, no radio, no horn, no nothing. So I jump outta the car and asked the person closest to me if they saw anyone by my vehicle, that maybe took my battery. Nope, they said nobody was by my car. So I asked another driver. Same answer. So I open the hood, and my battery was still there!! I was shocked! I honestly thought someone pilfered my battery! Called a wrecker, got it home, and checked the battery with a voltmeter. Totally dead, not one microvolt!!!!! Took it back where I bought it maybe 6 months earlier, and there was a lineup of people in front of me, all with the same battery. They told me the batteries were either shorted internally, or had a broken post!!! Never before, or since, have I had a battery work fine one minute, and nothing the next. It CAN happen...
Last edited by grinder11; Apr 3, 2022 at 04:44 PM.
