C5 Ignition switch/dash message issue
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2026
Posts: 13
Likes: 5
C5 Ignition switch/dash message issue
2002 C5 Z06.. 73k miles..
Need input on what I think may be an ignition switch issue..
When starting the car, if you turn key and start the car right away, several messages appear on the dash.. "Service Stabilitrac, Low Fuel, Traction Control, etc"..
However, if the codes are cleared and you turn ignition to on/acc, wait 2-3 seconds, then turn key to start/crank the car, the messages do not appear and the odometer shows as normal on the display.
As long as there is a 'pause' between turning key to on/acc position before starting, all seems normal..
Ignition switch issue or ... ?
Thanks for any input..
Need input on what I think may be an ignition switch issue..
When starting the car, if you turn key and start the car right away, several messages appear on the dash.. "Service Stabilitrac, Low Fuel, Traction Control, etc"..
However, if the codes are cleared and you turn ignition to on/acc, wait 2-3 seconds, then turn key to start/crank the car, the messages do not appear and the odometer shows as normal on the display.
As long as there is a 'pause' between turning key to on/acc position before starting, all seems normal..
Ignition switch issue or ... ?
Thanks for any input..
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,359
Likes: 1,127
From: Dyer, IN
2002 C5 Z06.. 73k miles..
Need input on what I think may be an ignition switch issue..
When starting the car, if you turn key and start the car right away, several messages appear on the dash.. "Service Stabilitrac, Low Fuel, Traction Control, etc"..
However, if the codes are cleared and you turn ignition to on/acc, wait 2-3 seconds, then turn key to start/crank the car, the messages do not appear and the odometer shows as normal on the display.
As long as there is a 'pause' between turning key to on/acc position before starting, all seems normal..
Ignition switch issue or ... ?
Thanks for any input..
Need input on what I think may be an ignition switch issue..
When starting the car, if you turn key and start the car right away, several messages appear on the dash.. "Service Stabilitrac, Low Fuel, Traction Control, etc"..
However, if the codes are cleared and you turn ignition to on/acc, wait 2-3 seconds, then turn key to start/crank the car, the messages do not appear and the odometer shows as normal on the display.
As long as there is a 'pause' between turning key to on/acc position before starting, all seems normal..
Ignition switch issue or ... ?
Thanks for any input..
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2026
Posts: 13
Likes: 5
DVM? yes.
Test light yes
Read schematics, not great at it but can probably manage.
I can check voltage at acc position and at crank postion, but how would I tell a difference between cranking it right away versus the pause?
Test light yes
Read schematics, not great at it but can probably manage.
I can check voltage at acc position and at crank postion, but how would I tell a difference between cranking it right away versus the pause?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,359
Likes: 1,127
From: Dyer, IN
You should have a DTC codes to compliment the messages. Have you pulled codes from the DIC? All H and C are relevant.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2026
Posts: 13
Likes: 5
TCS U1000, TCS U1016
BCM U1096
SDM U1000, U1016, U1096
RADIO U1016
HVAC - NO COMM
LDCM U1016
RDCM U1016
SCM U1016
RFA U1000, RFA U1016
All "H" historical codes..
Car seems to run and drive as it should.
BCM U1096
SDM U1000, U1016, U1096
RADIO U1016
HVAC - NO COMM
LDCM U1016
RDCM U1016
SCM U1016
RFA U1000, RFA U1016
All "H" historical codes..
Car seems to run and drive as it should.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,359
Likes: 1,127
From: Dyer, IN
Yup, that's a whole lot of comm codes. I do not have access to the service manual right now. I would just look up the impacted systems and take your pick for voltage checks at the appropriate fuses in the IP electrical center. Since the problem is repeatable, this will be easy to see an absence of voltage or low voltage at the impacted fuses.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,127
Likes: 799
From: Espanola New Mexico
Your corvette has a two second fuel pump prime which helps the car start faster and doesn't have to crank over as much. I believe that you really don't have a problem as long as you wait for the two second fuel pump prime to time out.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
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My 2000 came with 2 keys and 2 fobs. I always used the same key for 15+ years. I started getting "pull key and wait" messages. I read somewhere online that if you already have the lock bypass kit installed and you get this message, the key is worn out. Sure enough, I tried my "new" spare key and never saw the message again. Not saying this is the issue, but thought I'd throw it out there....
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,359
Likes: 1,127
From: Dyer, IN
It's not a prime, it's a time-out. There is no such thing as priming if you just get in the car and start it normally. The pump only runs for 2 seconds if you do not turn the key from ON to START because there is no CKS output.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2026
Posts: 13
Likes: 5
Yup, that's a whole lot of comm codes. I do not have access to the service manual right now. I would just look up the impacted systems and take your pick for voltage checks at the appropriate fuses in the IP electrical center. Since the problem is repeatable, this will be easy to see an absence of voltage or low voltage at the impacted fuses.
I am thinking once the car is started, all voltage will be as normal since the issue only occurs as the key is turned to crank (however it immediately returns to acc once started).
I hate to ask but if you could detail when to check for voltage or lack thereof, I would be grateful.
Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,348
Likes: 1,016
I have this issue intermittently, and read it can be the switch going bad, so I bought a new switch but haven't installed it yet.
Then just a few days ago, someone on here linked a thread that talked about the harness that plugs into the switch can end up with the receiver pins get loose, not making good contact with the pins on the switch, and their solution was to take it apart and crip the receiver pins in the harness to make them make tighter contact with the pins on the switch.
One of these days, I will take mine apart and see about installing the new switch and tighten up those harness pins.
Then just a few days ago, someone on here linked a thread that talked about the harness that plugs into the switch can end up with the receiver pins get loose, not making good contact with the pins on the switch, and their solution was to take it apart and crip the receiver pins in the harness to make them make tighter contact with the pins on the switch.
One of these days, I will take mine apart and see about installing the new switch and tighten up those harness pins.
Last edited by Ltngdrvr; Mar 19, 2026 at 10:10 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,127
Likes: 799
From: Espanola New Mexico
I need to explain that if you get in your car insert the key and immediately turn the key to the crank position your are supplying accessory power very briefly and then shutting it off when the key is in the crank position. I would let the gauges sweep and then turn the key to start the car. In my car I sometimes get the pull key wait ten seconds message and if I would immediately try to start the car it will start and then stall when I try to drive forward, because I didn't give the car enough time to display the message.