1998 C5 Won't Start
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 249
Likes: 1
From: Round Rock TX
1998 C5 Won't Start
Drove into work with the top down and no problems. Got in it to come home tonight and it wouldn't turn over. The radio plays, the lights work, the guages work, the bells ring, the battery guage shows ~12 volts but the engine doesn't turn over at all. Not even any clicks. I tried jumping it but nothing.
I tried shifting gears, starting from neutral...nothing.
Does anyone have any ideas?
I tried shifting gears, starting from neutral...nothing.
Does anyone have any ideas?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,427
Likes: 0
From: houston texas
Originally Posted by Jharms
Drove into work with the top down and no problems. Got in it to come home tonight and it wouldn't turn over. The radio plays, the lights work, the guages work, the bells ring, the battery guage shows ~12 volts but the engine doesn't turn over at all. Not even any clicks. I tried jumping it but nothing.
I tried shifting gears, starting from neutral...nothing.
Does anyone have any ideas?
I tried shifting gears, starting from neutral...nothing.
Does anyone have any ideas?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,427
Likes: 0
From: houston texas
Originally Posted by Jharms
Are you serious? I did try wiping the key chip with my fingers, but not with a cleaner.
I don't have any Jack Daniels, will Crown Royal work?
I don't have any Jack Daniels, will Crown Royal work?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 249
Likes: 1
From: Round Rock TX
I'll give it a try.
Any other suggestions? I've got a 1/2 hour drive from home to work so I want to have a few things to try. I'll also bring my wifes key (in addition to some hard liquor/cleaner).
Any other suggestions? I've got a 1/2 hour drive from home to work so I want to have a few things to try. I'll also bring my wifes key (in addition to some hard liquor/cleaner).
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 249
Likes: 1
From: Round Rock TX
Originally Posted by DRR
You could try to push start it to get home or to the dealer. Get some helpers. Doug
That would have been a great idea if I had a manual.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 770
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First, see if you have power to the starter. If you have power to the starter but it won't turn over its a bad starter. The way it failed doesn't sound like its the starter. It would probablly have given some indication of going bad before. If you have a manual trans just get some help and push start it. Doug
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 249
Likes: 1
From: Round Rock TX
Originally Posted by DRR
It could be the lockout for the starter. It has to be in park to start it, try putting it firmly into park from nuetral. Good luck, Doug
Anybody have any removal and replacement instructions for starters?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 249
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From: Round Rock TX
Originally Posted by dlw98c5
I had the same thing happen to my car and it was the battery ! 
Did it still do nothing when you tried to jump it with another car?
The battery was my first thought but jumping it didn't even generate a click.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,529
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From: Lost Angeles CA
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
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
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 249
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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
Was that the end of your problems?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 249
Likes: 1
From: Round Rock TX
Originally Posted by devo
lol
it turned over and started right up!
yea it freaked me out too
it turned over and started right up!
yea it freaked me out too
Keep the suggestions coming in case I'm not successful.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,567
Likes: 1
From: Edmond, OK...One of the first rules of online forums: If you don't like what is said but can't refute it, attack the poster.
I had the same thing happen to my Caddy. I drove it all day, then came home. Decided to run to walmart and the car was dead. The lights, horn, radio etc all worked fine. Not a click or anything from the starter. I tride jumping the car and nothing. I called Sam's to see about getting another battery and the guy told me to take off both battery cables and clean them real good. They looked fine to me, but I took them off. They were pretty corroded. I cleaned them and it started right up!
Good Luck,
Jeff
Good Luck,
Jeff
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: San Jose CA
My 98 C5 wouldn't start either at about 70000 miles. Found my Delco batter was leaking, and the connectors needed to be cleaned. Replaced the battery and cleaned the connectors, and my vert has been starting up soundly ever since.
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