Feb 20, 2015, 06:30 PM
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C6 Corvette Won't Start
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Shiloh IL
C6 Corvette Won't Start
Hello everyone. I'm looking for some help for my 2005 C6 Z51. The problem is that it doesn't start everytime. I've read some other post with similiar problems, but I can't find anyone who says what the fix was. The clutch is all the way to the floor, the battery has plenty of juice and the FOB is detected. The guages sweep and all light come on, but the engine doesn't turn. I will disconnect the battery for a few seconds, then reconnect it and it starts fine. This is getting old. Has anyone else out there had a similiar problem and found a fix for it? Thanks for the help!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
You might think the car battery is okay, but it sounds like it's about to go down for the count. Those are the first symptoms of a dying C6 battery according to what's been posted here many times.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Jim's correct, and there's more. There is no ONE fix since like anything, it could be one thing on your car, and another thing on another car. You need to look at the most likely culprits, and some that are a bit more unusual or not ordinary.
So, take a look at this thread, too, but don't discount it is your battery.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...t-gremlin.html
So, take a look at this thread, too, but don't discount it is your battery.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...t-gremlin.html
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Shiloh IL
I was thinking it was the battery at first too. I replaced it 1 1/2 years before I started having problems. I thought I got a bad battery at that time so I brought it into Auto Zone to test it. They tested my old battery and said it was fine, but I know the guy who works there and he gave me a new one anyway. The problem keeps happening. I will drive in the area and when I shut down, I show 14.4 volts on the dash. I'll try starting it two minutes later and I get nothing. I'll disconnect the battery and reconnect it, and the car starts right up and shows 14.4 volts on the display. I'm afraid it could be anything, but I received a great email saying to look at the steering column lock.
We're having an ice storm right now, so it's going to be a while before I can get the car to the dealership. I'll post what they tell me. Thanks for the help and keep posting if you have any other experiences like this!
We're having an ice storm right now, so it's going to be a while before I can get the car to the dealership. I'll post what they tell me. Thanks for the help and keep posting if you have any other experiences like this!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,378
Likes: 11
From: St Louis MO
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 462
From: Southern Utah
The 14.4 that you are seeing is the system voltage supplied by the alternator...it is not the resting voltage of the battery. When it won't turn over, I would take a voltage meter and check the battery at the terminals. The DIC is no good for this as it only gives a reading when the ignition is on. I agree with the above though, a column lock issue is a very good possibility also. There is the starter relay in the underhood fuse box that you might pull and clean the terminals too.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 807
Likes: 1
From: Miami Lakes FL
Brother, this happened to me and I had my car sent to the dealer on a flatbed. It was a loose starter plug. The tech (good friend of mine) fixed it in a minute. He just tightened the plug back up and I've never had another issue.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Same thing happens to my 05, I have to disconnect the battery and reconnect it and it starts up right away.. But I have to do this at least once every 2 days. Never had time to get it fixed, but if it is as simple as getting a starer plug tightened, then I'm going to dealership tomo! I've always just assumed it was something much more serious
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 26
From: Austin Texas
My first question when I read that...
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,995
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere you've probably never heard of in New Mexico
St. Jude Donor '11-'13-'14-'15
I had the same symptoms. It would eventually start sometimes it took 10-15 pushes on the start button. Dealer said they found a short in the wiring harness from the battery to the starter after they replaced the alternator twice. Gotta love electrical problems.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Shiloh IL
Thanks for the hint. I usually quit pushing the button after 5 tries. I'll try pushing the button more next time this happens and see how that works. I am getting very tired of disconnecting the battery and reindexing my windows.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 807
Likes: 1
From: Miami Lakes FL
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 342
Likes: 4
ok here u go .if your batt is 12months old its done in.no iffs or butts thats it.even if u do a load test.2005 working on no 6 i have had them pass but there still no good. Cold weather here. At least 6 months of the year.