1998 C5 Won't Start
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 249
Likes: 1
From: Round Rock TX
I'm fixed! Thanks to the Corvette Forum. One of the recommendations was to try to disable the alarm with the keyfob. That was the tick!! My wife drive me back to my Corvette and the proximity didn't open the doors (great feature, by the way) so I pushed the unlock button on the keyfob. When I go in it started right up! I can't believe I didn't try this trick before I was given a ride home.
Thanks for all the help!!!!!
Thanks for all the help!!!!!
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
glad you got it going and it was a small thing... good you were able to leave your car at your job without having to get it towed, would have been kinda bad if you parked somewhere on the street ending up in towing the car for nothing hehe
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 249
Likes: 1
From: Round Rock TX
Originally Posted by devo
This happened to mine.
Here is what I did.
get in the car use your keyfob and arm the security system.
unarm it then stick the key in and see if it starts.
Mine did the exact same thing all lights worked but no sound no nothing when I turned the key to start. my alarm was active and I didnt know it.
Good luck
Here is what I did.
get in the car use your keyfob and arm the security system.
unarm it then stick the key in and see if it starts.
Mine did the exact same thing all lights worked but no sound no nothing when I turned the key to start. my alarm was active and I didnt know it.
Good luck
I want to send a big THANK YOU to devo. He saved me from a tow and probably big diagnostic expense for something so simple.
Hats off to you devo!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 0
From: Lost Angeles CA
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
You are very welcome!
When this happened to me it I could not figure it out, But I knew it wasnt the battery.
so by accident my keyfob armed while i was in the car and bingo i knew that was it!
I had a feeling that was the same issue you were having.
It's so easy to overlook something so simple.
Glad all is well, that will cost you one (1) sixpack!
When this happened to me it I could not figure it out, But I knew it wasnt the battery.
so by accident my keyfob armed while i was in the car and bingo i knew that was it!
I had a feeling that was the same issue you were having.
It's so easy to overlook something so simple.
Glad all is well, that will cost you one (1) sixpack!
Last edited by devo; Oct 15, 2004 at 08:56 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Jharms
I had a 98 coupe MN6. A few weeks out of warrenty my car did the same thing! I would turn the key 5-6 times and it would finially start. One day it stranded me (luckily I was home) and would not start!
There are two things that could also be giving you problems and I recommend that you take a look at them.
The first is the Theft Deterrant Relay. The BCM get inputs from the key security system (pellet in the key), The vehicle security system, and a few other things. Once the BCM has all of the proper inputs, it allows power to the Theft Deterrant relay which energizes and allows power to go to the starter.
The other componet in this circuit is the netural safety switch (on an automatic) OR clutch safety switch (on a manual vehicle)
My Theft deterrant relay had water in it from condenstaion from the AC system.
The Theft Deterrant Relay is located in the passengers foot well behind the toe board. You have to remove the toe board, them remove the carpeted knee bolster on the bottom of the dash. The relay is on the fire wall jst above the silver box (BCM)
I removed the plastic cover from the relay and found the relay componets inside was trashed!!!
If you need additional assistance i can dig DEEPER!!
Bill C
I had a 98 coupe MN6. A few weeks out of warrenty my car did the same thing! I would turn the key 5-6 times and it would finially start. One day it stranded me (luckily I was home) and would not start!
There are two things that could also be giving you problems and I recommend that you take a look at them.
The first is the Theft Deterrant Relay. The BCM get inputs from the key security system (pellet in the key), The vehicle security system, and a few other things. Once the BCM has all of the proper inputs, it allows power to the Theft Deterrant relay which energizes and allows power to go to the starter.
The other componet in this circuit is the netural safety switch (on an automatic) OR clutch safety switch (on a manual vehicle)
My Theft deterrant relay had water in it from condenstaion from the AC system.
The Theft Deterrant Relay is located in the passengers foot well behind the toe board. You have to remove the toe board, them remove the carpeted knee bolster on the bottom of the dash. The relay is on the fire wall jst above the silver box (BCM)
I removed the plastic cover from the relay and found the relay componets inside was trashed!!!
If you need additional assistance i can dig DEEPER!!
Bill C
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: VA
Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
Jharms
I had a 98 coupe MN6. A few weeks out of warrenty my car did the same thing! I would turn the key 5-6 times and it would finially start. One day it stranded me (luckily I was home) and would not start!
There are two things that could also be giving you problems and I recommend that you take a look at them.
The first is the Theft Deterrant Relay. The BCM get inputs from the key security system (pellet in the key), The vehicle security system, and a few other things. Once the BCM has all of the proper inputs, it allows power to the Theft Deterrant relay which energizes and allows power to go to the starter.
The other componet in this circuit is the netural safety switch (on an automatic) OR clutch safety switch (on a manual vehicle)
My Theft deterrant relay had water in it from condenstaion from the AC system.
The Theft Deterrant Relay is located in the passengers foot well behind the toe board. You have to remove the toe board, them remove the carpeted knee bolster on the bottom of the dash. The relay is on the fire wall jst above the silver box (BCM)
I removed the plastic cover from the relay and found the relay componets inside was trashed!!!
If you need additional assistance i can dig DEEPER!!
Bill C
I had a 98 coupe MN6. A few weeks out of warrenty my car did the same thing! I would turn the key 5-6 times and it would finially start. One day it stranded me (luckily I was home) and would not start!
There are two things that could also be giving you problems and I recommend that you take a look at them.
The first is the Theft Deterrant Relay. The BCM get inputs from the key security system (pellet in the key), The vehicle security system, and a few other things. Once the BCM has all of the proper inputs, it allows power to the Theft Deterrant relay which energizes and allows power to go to the starter.
The other componet in this circuit is the netural safety switch (on an automatic) OR clutch safety switch (on a manual vehicle)
My Theft deterrant relay had water in it from condenstaion from the AC system.
The Theft Deterrant Relay is located in the passengers foot well behind the toe board. You have to remove the toe board, them remove the carpeted knee bolster on the bottom of the dash. The relay is on the fire wall jst above the silver box (BCM)
I removed the plastic cover from the relay and found the relay componets inside was trashed!!!
If you need additional assistance i can dig DEEPER!!
Bill C
I see you are in CTtoo, I am in Stamford - any competent mechanics up/out your way? Only knucklehead stealers around here. I acutally went to one stealership where the vette mechanic appeared to be scared of the car - I told them I would think about the oil change and get back to them - then I ran like hell and never looked back.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
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
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
JonnyB
I have had VERY good luck with M J Sullivan Chevy in New London CT.
I have had some minor warrenty work accomplished with them and they have been very compenent.
On the OTHER HAND I allowed one dealer in the area to accomplish some warrenty work and they broke more stuff than they fixed!
I WONT be going back there again!
Bill Curlee
I have had VERY good luck with M J Sullivan Chevy in New London CT.
I have had some minor warrenty work accomplished with them and they have been very compenent.
On the OTHER HAND I allowed one dealer in the area to accomplish some warrenty work and they broke more stuff than they fixed!
I WONT be going back there again!
Bill Curlee
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 0
From: San Jose Ca
Problem fixed......
It could be you're ignition relay...I had the same happen to my car....You would get some type of dimming or guage flutter if it were you're starter....The relay on the ignition chamber wears out....depending how many times you turn the car off and on throughout the years....eventually it fails...The part is $80 to $150.00.....I cant remember exactly, but it's an easy fix... 
