1999 C5 won't start...security light flashing
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
1999 C5 won't start...security light flashing
Hey there,
New member of the corvette club here. We recently bought a 1999 C5 corvette. It's been running great. My husband recently needed to move the car out of our garage and couldn't find the key, so he used the second/back-up key that the original owner provided us with.
The car would not start with this key. He then found the first key, and it worked fine....started right up. The following day, neither key works. The security light continues to blink when trying to start the car.
After speaking with a mechanic on the phone, he said it's likely a pass-key issue and it will need to be brought in. So now we have to have it towed??? Can anyone explain what might be the problem here? It's strange that the first key worked fine yesterday, and today it didn't.
Any info appreciated.
New member of the corvette club here. We recently bought a 1999 C5 corvette. It's been running great. My husband recently needed to move the car out of our garage and couldn't find the key, so he used the second/back-up key that the original owner provided us with.
The car would not start with this key. He then found the first key, and it worked fine....started right up. The following day, neither key works. The security light continues to blink when trying to start the car.
After speaking with a mechanic on the phone, he said it's likely a pass-key issue and it will need to be brought in. So now we have to have it towed??? Can anyone explain what might be the problem here? It's strange that the first key worked fine yesterday, and today it didn't.
Any info appreciated.
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,218
Likes: 1,174
From: Southlake, TX
Welcome! You are in the right spot!
Before you take the car in (or tow it) I'd try to things; 1) clean the key and pull the battery cable.
Pulling the battery cable and allowing the car to "reset" may make a difference. These cars a "rolling computers" and just like a laptop or a cell phone, a simple off/on sometimes does the trick.
On you key you will see a little black plastic thing with a bit of metal in the center. Each key has a specific code that is matched to your car so you cant trade keys with other cars. Some times the little metal area gets dirty and does not make a good contact. You can clean with a little rubbing alcohol or a pencil eraser. Give it a shot before you take it her in.
Before you take the car in (or tow it) I'd try to things; 1) clean the key and pull the battery cable.
Pulling the battery cable and allowing the car to "reset" may make a difference. These cars a "rolling computers" and just like a laptop or a cell phone, a simple off/on sometimes does the trick.
On you key you will see a little black plastic thing with a bit of metal in the center. Each key has a specific code that is matched to your car so you cant trade keys with other cars. Some times the little metal area gets dirty and does not make a good contact. You can clean with a little rubbing alcohol or a pencil eraser. Give it a shot before you take it her in.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,129
Likes: 799
From: Espanola New Mexico
As previously mentioned the key contains a pellet which is a resistor that the cars BCM recognizes as the correct key. Buy some electronic contact cleaner and spray into the very front part of the Ignition switch and key pellet and insert and pull the key several times. The front part of the Ignition switch has contacts that press against the key pellet and they sometimes become dirty.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
The issue may be the ignition switch being dirty. Spray some CRC Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaner in the key hole. Insert the key several times, then another squirt. This process worked for me and have not had a problem since.
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Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Thanks for all the responses! This site is awesome, as I'm sure we'll have other questions in the future. The day after I sent my question in, I tried the "good key" again, and while it hesitated... it did start up. No tow truck needed, thank goodness. We did go ahead and drop it off at a mechanic to have it looked at. Just wanted to make sure we have two working keys, etc. I'll let you know what they say.
Thanks again for taking the time to answer. All good info.
Thanks again for taking the time to answer. All good info.