C6 starting problem
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
C6 starting problem
Two months ago, the car would crank, but not start. After several tries, and waiting overnight to continue trying, I had the car taken to the dealer. Tow driver drops car off flatbed, service writer gets in to cycle through to get mileage, etc, and the car starts. No error codes. They keep it for a few days, but no further problem. Ten days ago, same problem. Tow driver tries to start the car to drive off flatbed, without success. Dealer observes the problem, but, again, car starts for the service writer, and no codes. Leave it for several days, but no repeat of the prob. A few days ago, same problem, except now the car is “on the verge” of starting, not just cranking, and I can smell fuel (this was not the case previously). The car was low on fuel when I left, and the low fuel warning had come on a few miles before I stopped. So, I get some gas in the car, eventually 1/2 a tank, and now the car is just cranking, not “on the verge”, and AAA is called to tow it. At this point, the attempts are taking their toll on the battery, but I continue trying, and, while the tow truck is en route, it starts just like always (push button, engine starts, no lag or hesitation). Dealer thinks it’s fuel related, but doesn’t know what the problem is, so has no idea what to do. Any ideas?
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
My crank but no start issue.
I just had a issue with my 2009, 63,000 miles, where it would crank very strongly but not start. I had just replaced the almost 5 year old battery the day before the problems started.
After reading pages of threads in the search history, I found that the fuel pump relay was brought up very often. I found that I could press down on the relay or remove and re install it and the car would start with no issues.
I was just about to go back to the dealer where I bought it to get the electrical connections looked at when I realized that I had never checked the 4 bolts that hold the fuse box together.
Three of those four bolts were just finger tight and once tightened, completely solved my problem.
After reading pages of threads in the search history, I found that the fuel pump relay was brought up very often. I found that I could press down on the relay or remove and re install it and the car would start with no issues.
I was just about to go back to the dealer where I bought it to get the electrical connections looked at when I realized that I had never checked the 4 bolts that hold the fuse box together.
Three of those four bolts were just finger tight and once tightened, completely solved my problem.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
I just had a issue with my 2009, 63,000 miles, where it would crank very strongly but not start. I had just replaced the almost 5 year old battery the day before the problems started.
After reading pages of threads in the search history, I found that the fuel pump relay was brought up very often. I found that I could press down on the relay or remove and re install it and the car would start with no issues.
I was just about to go back to the dealer where I bought it to get the electrical connections looked at when I realized that I had never checked the 4 bolts that hold the fuse box together.
Three of those four bolts were just finger tight and once tightened, completely solved my problem.
After reading pages of threads in the search history, I found that the fuel pump relay was brought up very often. I found that I could press down on the relay or remove and re install it and the car would start with no issues.
I was just about to go back to the dealer where I bought it to get the electrical connections looked at when I realized that I had never checked the 4 bolts that hold the fuse box together.
Three of those four bolts were just finger tight and once tightened, completely solved my problem.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Ok, visible inspection of the fuel pump relay and fuse box revealed no issues. Fuse box bolts were tight. Fuse and surrounding area (entire fuse box) appeared pristine. Car stumbled, but started on first try, subsequently started without issue thereafter.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Glad to hear that your starting problem went away easily. Dealer indicated that they checked my harnesses, and wiring, for corrosion, chafing, shorting, etc, without issue. And, my fuse looked brand new. What kind of problem doesn’t leave an error code!!!??? Aaarrgghh!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
A visible fuel pump relay problem is a darkened area on top of the relay. There are other relays in the box that are identical to fp relay so in a pinch you could swap one or just buy an extra one and switch it out at time of no start to see if helps. A fuel pump relay problem usually happens with some type of fuel pump overload such as a blower car with a improperly wired bap. Probably wouldn't happen on a stock car.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
A visible fuel pump relay problem is a darkened area on top of the relay. There are other relays in the box that are identical to fp relay so in a pinch you could swap one or just buy an extra one and switch it out at time of no start to see if helps. A fuel pump relay problem usually happens with some type of fuel pump overload such as a blower car with a improperly wired bap. Probably wouldn't happen on a stock car.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
I’ve had that problem and couldn’t really see any issue with the relay block but the relay over a period of time ruined the block in a area that couldn’t be seen . I eventually had to replace the box.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 12
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Thanks. I’ll get an extra relay and keep it in the car to swap out when needed. Why wouldn’t a relay failure leave an error code, though?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
This is the strangest problem I’ve ever had, as the “reset” is as random as the problem itself. I’ve let the car sit overnight and still was unable to start the car. Engine turns over like a champ. Tow it to the dealer, and starts right up, after coming off of the flatbed, both times. Last time I had the problem, it was only 3 hours later that it started, so no tow truck involved. Still, a major pain in the a$$.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
just to close this out: I drove to the dealer, got a new fuel pump relay, and drove home. Car failed to start the very next time that I tried. Swapped out the relay, and no change. Over the next 3 days I tried to start it several times, without success. Finally, I decided to test the connections, so grabbed the fuse box and shook it around. The car started! Drove it to the dealer and told them I thought the problem was a pushed in connector (as described in other threads here and elsewhere). They called to confirm that it is the connector. Should have done the work myself...