Car wont start!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Car wont start!
I am so sorry if this is redundant, but I tried searching for it and I didnt get any helpful results.
So my Dad drives an '00 Corvette, and my parents live Overseas, and I dont live at home any more, so the car just kind of sits in the garage for months at a time. Anyway, my father is coming back to the states for Christmas, so I decided to go to their home wash up the 'Vette and greet him at the Airport with it. But, the car wouldnt start, It seems like a dead battery, I mean absolutely no power, not even the underhood light comes on. So of course I tried to jump it, but still nothing, I put in the key and try to turn it over, but it just makes a "clicking" sound, almost like a faulty starter, and "SECURITY" flashes on the dash. Is this VATs system in action? Is there any manual way to override it?
Thanks for any help!
Nathan
So my Dad drives an '00 Corvette, and my parents live Overseas, and I dont live at home any more, so the car just kind of sits in the garage for months at a time. Anyway, my father is coming back to the states for Christmas, so I decided to go to their home wash up the 'Vette and greet him at the Airport with it. But, the car wouldnt start, It seems like a dead battery, I mean absolutely no power, not even the underhood light comes on. So of course I tried to jump it, but still nothing, I put in the key and try to turn it over, but it just makes a "clicking" sound, almost like a faulty starter, and "SECURITY" flashes on the dash. Is this VATs system in action? Is there any manual way to override it?
Thanks for any help!
Nathan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
Originally Posted by Fallchild000
I It seems like a dead battery, I mean absolutely no power, Nathan
If it looks like a dead battery, acts like a dead battery, and sounds like a dead battery.......Then it is probably...... a dead battery.
If a battery is totally dead, it can be dangerous to try to jump start it.
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Dec 17, 2004 at 03:50 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
My first question is: How old is the battery? If the battery is fairly new, then it probably just needs to be fully charged. If you don't have a battery charger, take the battery to an auto supply store and ask them to charge and check it. They have to charge it up before running their load test, so if the battery is still good, they may not charge you anything. You can then pop it back in the car. If the battery is bad, you or your Dad should look into buying an Optima Red Top.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Thanks for all your replies. So is the clicking sound assosciated with the dead battery then? Because I know I guess on all the other cars I have tried to jump, it just sounds like the car is struggling and trying to turn over, but this one just clicks.
Thanks again!
nathan
Thanks again!
nathan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 0
From: Spring Branch Texas
Originally Posted by Fallchild000
Thanks for all your replies. So is the clicking sound assosciated with the dead battery then? Because I know I guess on all the other cars I have tried to jump, it just sounds like the car is struggling and trying to turn over, but this one just clicks.
Thanks again!
nathan
Thanks again!
nathan
The clicking is probably the starter relay. There is enough power to activate the relay but not turn the car over. As others have already stated, see if it will hold a charge on a "trickle charger". This could take 24 hours. Don't fight anymore with jumping it. Even if you get it started, you won't be fully charging it.
PS - If you were my son and you wanted to surprise me at the airport, I would be doubly surprised (and pleased) if you had also gone out and put a brand-new Optima red-top in for me!!!!!
