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Sad Day When C5 Won't Start

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Old Jul 7, 2022 | 04:44 PM
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Default Sad Day When C5 Won't Start

No issues when I drove the Z on Sunday to run errands. Fast forward to this morning and I go out to drive the Z and I turn the key and get nothing, I mean nothing. So forum members, is it just a chance that the starter needs a beating, a loose wire, or do I need to go grab a can of electrical spray cleaner and spray the ignition? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Old Jul 7, 2022 | 04:57 PM
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There's a number of things that could be the issue. I would grab a voltmeter. First thing is to check your battery. If the battery is fully charged, then you can eliminate that and the alternator. Next, I would look at your starter/starter wires. If those are good, then check the ignition switch. Good luck!
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Old Jul 7, 2022 | 06:28 PM
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Definitely could be a number of things. Mine did this when I was mid-errands. Later on after resolving the issue, I posted about it here: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1602172814
Long story short, it was either the ignition switch or Theft Deterrent Relay... don't know which since I replaced both simultaneously.

Check for fault codes first thing after determining that battery voltage is okay (you can also check voltage via the DIC). This is how I started my diagnostic.
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Old Jul 7, 2022 | 07:43 PM
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Originally Posted by ssmuff
No issues when I drove the Z on Sunday to run errands. Fast forward to this morning and I go out to drive the Z and I turn the key and get nothing, I mean nothing. So forum members, is it just a chance that the starter needs a beating, a loose wire, or do I need to go grab a can of electrical spray cleaner and spray the ignition? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Check the battery. My C5 had a bad BCM, and took a new battery down to totally dead in about 18 hours......
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Old Jul 7, 2022 | 07:49 PM
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I appreciate the feedback. I just went out to double check that I wasn't dreaming and low and behold she fired right up. I will get some cleaner just to be safe but I will also check the wire connections and voltage to make sure everything is good.
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Old Jul 7, 2022 | 09:12 PM
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Originally Posted by ssmuff
I appreciate the feedback. I just went out to double check that I wasn't dreaming and low and behold she fired right up. I will get some cleaner just to be safe but I will also check the wire connections and voltage to make sure everything is good.
I also had an issue with my ignition switch, nothing major, but it didn't like my key some of the time. So I disconnected the battery so I could twist the ignition key back and forth at least 40 times. I stopped counting at 40. My wrist didn't!! By doing this, you kind of scrape the contacts against each other many more times than a start here and there. This was at least 2 years ago, and no more issues since. FWIW, YMMV.......
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Old Jul 7, 2022 | 10:07 PM
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Always check the simple item 1st. Battery connection could be loose. I've seen it happen.
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Old Jul 7, 2022 | 10:10 PM
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Squirt some DeOxIT D5 into your ignition switch; as well as all your electronic connections..! Look it up on Amazon.......

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Old Jul 7, 2022 | 10:23 PM
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I had a similar problem with the car being dead. Sometimes it was one of four starts. But if I waited 2-3 minutes it would start right up! Finally I had the dealer check the wires and problem solved!

Good Luck!
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Old Jul 8, 2022 | 07:32 AM
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Moved to C5 Tech.
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Old Jul 8, 2022 | 08:53 AM
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Originally Posted by 91LSMAN
Always check the simple item 1st. Battery connection could be loose. I've seen it happen.
agreed, I hate side terminal battery connections !!
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Old Jul 8, 2022 | 09:13 AM
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Everybody has posted good suggestions as to what to check, my advice is to always listen and confirm that the TDR is being energized when the key is turned to the start position of the Ignition switch. The TDR is the heart of the starting system as it is the relay that sends 12v to energize the starter.
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