My vette won't turn over!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Traverse City Michigan
My vette won't turn over!
I turn the key to start the vette, there is a loud click, and all lights go out, and nothing. For the next 30-45 seconds, there is a clicking sound from under the hood and then the lights begin to come back on (dash lights, etc.). Try to start the engine again and the same thing happens.
Any one know whats going on? Please help.
Mike
Any one know whats going on? Please help.
Mike
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 7,588
Likes: 6
From: Montreal Qc
Originally Posted by ROCKnROLL
First thing comes to mind is the battery.
How old is it?
I'm sure there are other possibilities but that's a good place to start.
How old is it?
I'm sure there are other possibilities but that's a good place to start.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Traverse City Michigan
Just had the car out on the road a couple of hours ago. Don't really know about the battery. Seems fine. After a few minutes, all the interior lights come on when I open the door, but still won't start...just a loud click when I turn the key.
Mike
Mike
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 2
From: Cape Coral FL
Also, check the battery itself. Make sure it hasn't cracked. There have been many batteries that have cracked and spilled acid all over the place under it. The PCM is in the fender well right under the battery so if it cracked and spilled your PCM's days are numbered. The battery could have cracked and youa re down 1 or 2 cells. When the lights come, put your key in the ignition and don't turn it over for 15 seconds and read the voltage gauge. It should be at least 12 volts.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Traverse City Michigan
I will check the gauges for battery power.
I have to say that you guys are great. You all pretty much hit the nail right on the head.
I just got back from my garage, where I found a loose cable on the battery. When I wiggled it, a trace of smoke came up from beneath the wire sheathing and the hood light came on. I then tried to start the motor, but only got several clickings this time. I went back and wiggled the wire again, producing a little more smoke and tried the engine again. IT STARTED!!! I let it run for a couple of minutes and checked for more sigh of smoke and found none. Turned the engine off.
Now I hope I can get it started again tomorrow to get it to where I bought it (the Ford garage of all places). It is still under their 30 day warranty.
Just one more lesson about listening to others who know what they are talking about. I really appreciate you all coming to my rescue.
Now, hopefully, I can get some sleep tonight and not worry about my baby.
I'll keep you posted as to how things turn out.
Thanks so much again.
Mike
I have to say that you guys are great. You all pretty much hit the nail right on the head.
I just got back from my garage, where I found a loose cable on the battery. When I wiggled it, a trace of smoke came up from beneath the wire sheathing and the hood light came on. I then tried to start the motor, but only got several clickings this time. I went back and wiggled the wire again, producing a little more smoke and tried the engine again. IT STARTED!!! I let it run for a couple of minutes and checked for more sigh of smoke and found none. Turned the engine off.
Now I hope I can get it started again tomorrow to get it to where I bought it (the Ford garage of all places). It is still under their 30 day warranty.
Just one more lesson about listening to others who know what they are talking about. I really appreciate you all coming to my rescue.
Now, hopefully, I can get some sleep tonight and not worry about my baby.
I'll keep you posted as to how things turn out.
Thanks so much again.
Mike
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 439
Likes: 0
From: Framingham MA
Originally Posted by Railfan
This really ticks me off. :mad Only had the car for 10 days! Now all the interior lights work, as well as the key fob, etc., but the car won't even turn over!
When I bought my used C5 two years ago, the sleazy used car dealer had just put in an undersized cheapy battery from WalMart... a $29.95 special (that he probably took out of another used car) with just enough power to start it once so it could leave his lot (and I am not kidding).
Monk :flag :flag :flag
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
If the battery and/or cables, etc check out O.K., then the next thing in line I would look at is the starter itself (or at least the solenoid mounted on the starter). I would suspect the battery or cables first though due to the fact that the starter draws a ton more current than the lights. That's why it can be a bit tricky using the lights themselves as a guide as to whether or not the battery is up to the job. HTH
Robert
Robert
Last edited by LoneStarFRC; Jul 14, 2004 at 10:20 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Traverse City Michigan
The problem seems to be a loose wire. Am keeping my fingers crossed that I will be able to start the car tomorrow to take it to the garage. Hopefully it won't be anything more than that.
Thanks for all your advice and help. You guys are top drawer. I appreciate you and this forum a lot. 
Thanks for all your advice and help. You guys are top drawer. I appreciate you and this forum a lot.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Traverse City Michigan
Alls well that ends well. Turned out that whoever had the car before me had used a carriage bolt as a post on the battery and it was loose and arcing. Was told by the service technician that if I had tried to tighten it, it would have punctured the battery causing a leak. :mad
Chevy service put on the right post, no charge.
Now my baby is feeling (and behaving) much better.
Thought that post looked wrong last night.
Chevy service put on the right post, no charge.
Now my baby is feeling (and behaving) much better.Thought that post looked wrong last night.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by wallstAL
Try using the reward system!!! 
Buy a new battery!
Buy a new battery!
Your car will love you for it! 
I'm thinking Optima Red Top.
