2001 Corvette C5 Manual T56 128k miles


Here we go again


I bought the car in June 2024, and it was driving amazing! However, around September 2024, it did not start randomly. I tried to wiggle the key and turn it again, and it started. After that, the problem only increased, and I was having this issue over and over more often. One day, it won't start even when I tried for 20 minutes turning the key.


P.S. The Battery is fresh and good, with normal voltage. When I try to start it nothing happens. I only hear the fuses and relay click in the fuse box and how the fuel pump works. Nothing under the hood, completely.


I push-started it and got it up on the jack. Access to a starter is tough from the jack especially when headers are hot. What I've seen is that copper starter contacts were greenish but were not able to clean them. I took apart the clutch button and cleaned the contacts in it. The car was starting up for a couple of days but happened again. I bought the new button - the same thing. Replaced all fuses in the passenger fuse box which are related to the ignition. Took apart ignition switch and cleaned contacts in it. So when I do something to the car it starts up fine for a while but it's happening over and over again. When my mechanic did my alignment I asked them to tighten the starter contacts and NO WAY! Car was starting good for a month and guess what? Some day it did not start again. This is my daily driver and only car. Every morning I sit in the car and turn the key on and on until it cranks (usually taking 10-15min).


My mechanic suggested I get a new starter but I don't want to throw parts in it yet.

Easy solution: replace the starter or its solenoid with the new one and see what happens. + Throw new ignition switch


But if you have an idea what to check first I would appreciate it. I wish I had a car lift to take care of it myself and do some kind of diagnostics. Need to figure it out asap.


IMPORTANT: the weirdest thing here is that the car starts with no problem when it's hot! ex: When doing cold start I am turning the key until it starts. But after 20 minutes drive I turn the car off and try to start it again immediately it works! you can start it multiple times when it's hot as much as you want and works with no issues.


Please help me with any suggestions


I can drop any videos/pictures if you need them. Thank you for everybody's help.


Also: any recommendations for the car shop that specify in the corvettes specifically around Chicago and suburbs would be appreciated

 

Speedinc in Schaumburg, or Nickey Performance in Loves Park are good shops

 

do VATS bypass & utube is your friend

 

Just because your battery is fresh and good with normal voltage doesn’t mean it’s good…do you have any basic electrical knowledge and have a DVOM and test light and know how to interpret a wiring diagram ???…is this something you’re going to try and diagnose yourself ???…moving this to Tech.

 

Most likely your starter solenoid is the cause of your no cranking problems. The one definitive test is to measure for 12v on the violet wire at the starter solenoid or the violet wire at the TDR socket which is the same wire and easier to get to. If you have 12v every time the key is turned to start the car, the problem is the starter solenoid. A little bit of voltage measurements can help anyone to just replace the bad part instead of shot gunning.

 

Not even remotely close to the Chicago area.....Speed Inc is a better suggestion.

 

No information in your sig. Where are you located? ......no codes through all this ?