Mysterious Cold Start Problem
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1st Gear
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1
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Mysterious Cold Start Problem
Hi All,
I have a 2001 Corvette that has an odd cold start issue. Every morning, the car won't start. This problem does not exist, it seems, if the temperature outside is above 60F, and so it has never happened in the afternoon.
Everything else seems to be working ignition-wise: after inserting the key the VATS security light goes on and then turns off; all the lights and radio work when in the "On" and "Accessory" positions; and when I turn the key to "Start," I can hear the theft deterrent relay click, but the starter motor doesn't crank -- just dead silence.
The weird thing is that I discovered, by accident, how to get around this problem and start the car -- I put the key in the ignition and turn it to "On," and leave it in that position for two full minutes. After that wait, I try to start the car, and I can hear the starter briefly engage but not enough to fire the engine, but with a few more key turns, it eventually does a full crank and starts!
This technique has never failed for about the last three weeks.
And, in case you are wondering, I have already tried replacing the starter motor and solenoid, the theft deterrent relay, and the ignition relay.
Also about three months ago, I replaced the ignition switch. Even though it was advertised as a GM product, the new ignition switch did not feel as sturdy as the original one.
I'm wondering if that could the source of the cold start problem?
I have a 2001 Corvette that has an odd cold start issue. Every morning, the car won't start. This problem does not exist, it seems, if the temperature outside is above 60F, and so it has never happened in the afternoon.
Everything else seems to be working ignition-wise: after inserting the key the VATS security light goes on and then turns off; all the lights and radio work when in the "On" and "Accessory" positions; and when I turn the key to "Start," I can hear the theft deterrent relay click, but the starter motor doesn't crank -- just dead silence.
The weird thing is that I discovered, by accident, how to get around this problem and start the car -- I put the key in the ignition and turn it to "On," and leave it in that position for two full minutes. After that wait, I try to start the car, and I can hear the starter briefly engage but not enough to fire the engine, but with a few more key turns, it eventually does a full crank and starts!
This technique has never failed for about the last three weeks.
And, in case you are wondering, I have already tried replacing the starter motor and solenoid, the theft deterrent relay, and the ignition relay.
Also about three months ago, I replaced the ignition switch. Even though it was advertised as a GM product, the new ignition switch did not feel as sturdy as the original one.
I'm wondering if that could the source of the cold start problem?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,472
Likes: 1,171
From: Dyer, IN
Hi All,
I have a 2001 Corvette that has an odd cold start issue. Every morning, the car won't start. This problem does not exist, it seems, if the temperature outside is above 60F, and so it has never happened in the afternoon.
Everything else seems to be working ignition-wise: after inserting the key the VATS security light goes on and then turns off; all the lights and radio work when in the "On" and "Accessory" positions; and when I turn the key to "Start," I can hear the theft deterrent relay click, but the starter motor doesn't crank -- just dead silence.
The weird thing is that I discovered, by accident, how to get around this problem and start the car -- I put the key in the ignition and turn it to "On," and leave it in that position for two full minutes. After that wait, I try to start the car, and I can hear the starter briefly engage but not enough to fire the engine, but with a few more key turns, it eventually does a full crank and starts!
This technique has never failed for about the last three weeks.
And, in case you are wondering, I have already tried replacing the starter motor and solenoid, the theft deterrent relay, and the ignition relay.
Also about three months ago, I replaced the ignition switch. Even though it was advertised as a GM product, the new ignition switch did not feel as sturdy as the original one.
I'm wondering if that could the source of the cold start problem?
I have a 2001 Corvette that has an odd cold start issue. Every morning, the car won't start. This problem does not exist, it seems, if the temperature outside is above 60F, and so it has never happened in the afternoon.
Everything else seems to be working ignition-wise: after inserting the key the VATS security light goes on and then turns off; all the lights and radio work when in the "On" and "Accessory" positions; and when I turn the key to "Start," I can hear the theft deterrent relay click, but the starter motor doesn't crank -- just dead silence.
The weird thing is that I discovered, by accident, how to get around this problem and start the car -- I put the key in the ignition and turn it to "On," and leave it in that position for two full minutes. After that wait, I try to start the car, and I can hear the starter briefly engage but not enough to fire the engine, but with a few more key turns, it eventually does a full crank and starts!
This technique has never failed for about the last three weeks.
And, in case you are wondering, I have already tried replacing the starter motor and solenoid, the theft deterrent relay, and the ignition relay.
Also about three months ago, I replaced the ignition switch. Even though it was advertised as a GM product, the new ignition switch did not feel as sturdy as the original one.
I'm wondering if that could the source of the cold start problem?
Moderator, Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15,628
Likes: 4,071
From: Cape Coral, Florida
Do you have a 12 volt test light, a DVOM or jumper cables ??…may just be a bad block ground…if you have a some jumper cables connect one end to battery negative and the other to a clean spot on the engine block…now see if the car starts…or if you have a 12 volt test light connect it to battery negative and probe the engine block while trying to start the engine…the test light should NOT light…or if you have a DVOM connect one lead to battery negative and the other lead to the engine block..,while attempting to start the car what does the DVOM read…if you see 7 volts for example that means only 5 volts is getting to the starter…and make sure your battery is fully charged…12.66 for FLA and 12.8-13.0 if AGM.
Last edited by C5 Diag; Jul 11, 2025 at 05:18 PM.
