Car will not start
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Car will not start
I've got a 2006 c6 automatic. I've been having problems lately with starting my car. Thinking it was a dead battery the last few times I would put cables on my car and it would start. Well the other day it wouldn't. I went and bought a new battery still nothing. Dash would go dark when I press the start button. Give it about 15 seconds and the ash would flicker back on. I've disconnected the battery numerous times and that didn't work either. Need help diagnosing the problem
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 226
Likes: 14
From: Houston TX
Internet diagnosis/guess is that the starter or starter solenoid went south. But to be sure you might want to have a pro take a look at it. If it were fuel, spark, or computer you'd get a check engine light. Your symptoms are similar to a few cars I've had where the starter gave out including my Fbody. Since GM likes to use the same failure routines on different cars my gut says starter.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Internet diagnosis/guess is that the starter or starter solenoid went south. But to be sure you might want to have a pro take a look at it. If it were fuel, spark, or computer you'd get a check engine light. Your symptoms are similar to a few cars I've had where the starter gave out including my Fbody. Since GM likes to use the same failure routines on different cars my gut says starter.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 302
Likes: 27
From: Eatonville Wa.
I've got a 2006 c6 automatic. I've been having problems lately with starting my car. Thinking it was a dead battery the last few times I would put cables on my car and it would start. Well the other day it wouldn't. I went and bought a new battery still nothing. Dash would go dark when I press the start button. Give it about 15 seconds and the ash would flicker back on. I've disconnected the battery numerous times and that didn't work either. Need help diagnosing the problem
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 235
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
Your symptoms are of a heavy load on the battery that it can't handle. The dash going dark for 15 seconds is normal during a start procedure where the engine fails to start. I have to assume the engine is not turning over?
#1 - Is the battery charged? Many "new" batteries have been sitting on the shelf for years and are dead. A bad battery should also be causing problems opening the doors.
#2. Are battery cables clean and tight at the battery? Bad connections at the battery will often be evidenced by the terminals getting hot.
#3. Hopefully disconnecting the battery multiple times has not destroyed the ECM or BCM computers. That's never a good idea because it does nothing to "reboot" anything. It just sends voltage surges through all the electronics.
The fact that you could put jumper cables on the car and get it to start would indicate a loose/dirty battery connector.
#1 - Is the battery charged? Many "new" batteries have been sitting on the shelf for years and are dead. A bad battery should also be causing problems opening the doors.
#2. Are battery cables clean and tight at the battery? Bad connections at the battery will often be evidenced by the terminals getting hot.
#3. Hopefully disconnecting the battery multiple times has not destroyed the ECM or BCM computers. That's never a good idea because it does nothing to "reboot" anything. It just sends voltage surges through all the electronics.
The fact that you could put jumper cables on the car and get it to start would indicate a loose/dirty battery connector.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Northern, VA
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I might also think that it could be a loose starter connection. Or take a look at the pic in posrt #2 of "rocketmanwpb" thread on his starter and battery replacement.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 6,271
Likes: 113
From: Texas
You need to check your connections at the solenoid and starter as well as the battery. I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt that you'd not re-use corroded battery cables at the battery when you replaced it.
You may need a new starter or solenoid. I'd bet starter due to the symptoms of heavy load.
You may need a new starter or solenoid. I'd bet starter due to the symptoms of heavy load.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
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From: Central Ohio
Replace the battery cables when you replace the starter and the solenoid.
I have seen several that have issues with the starter lead that connects at the solenoid.
You can crimp on new ends but factory new cables and crimps are better than the ones we can make in the shop.
I would be surprised if the new starter solenoid does not fix your problem.
I have seen several that have issues with the starter lead that connects at the solenoid.
You can crimp on new ends but factory new cables and crimps are better than the ones we can make in the shop.
I would be surprised if the new starter solenoid does not fix your problem.
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A 2006 auto will not have a steering column lock. If it does you have bigger issues than a starting problem. Check all of the cables as suggested. Good luck with the fix.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 25
From: NY NY
The first thing I would do is to see if any codes are thrown. This should give you better idea of what is going on. I would also check electrical connections below passengers side floor board check to see that all connection are tight. Always first line of defense is to first check codes then move on.
Last edited by myfunz; Jun 22, 2015 at 08:46 AM.
