Won't Crank
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 19
Likes: 3
Won't Crank
Bought my first corvette. A 2005 convertible with a manual transmission and 62k miles. Love the car. There is an issue where the car will sometimes not crank. It just clicks and throws weird warnings. Sometimes it tells me no fob detected even though the key is in the slot in the glove box. I checked the battery and it is fine. I tightened the terminals and plan to change the cables this weekend. Previously I would need to jump the car with another vehicle to run. I read on the net that pumping the clutch may help. This morning the car clicked again so I tested it. Pumped the clutch three or four times and it started right up. What is that?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 17,750
Likes: 1,210
From: Aiken, SC
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '26
Or a bad ground... My C6 is relatively new to me, but the C5's were notorious for getting crazy with a low battery.
I always kept my C5 on a tender and now I do with my C6.
I always kept my C5 on a tender and now I do with my C6.
Retired & lovin' it!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,475
Likes: 549
From: Jackson NJ
C6's, especially the earlier years, are notorious for throwing error codes & having other faults when the battery starts going bad. You don't say how the battery was checked nor how old it is, but as an '05 owner since new, it's really important to keep the battery on a tender anytime the car is not used for a couple of days or more. If you don't know the age of the battery, my first suggestion is to replace it with a good, hi-quality battery. My original Delco lasted 7 years & was still good when I replaced it with an Optima Red Top. I've always used a tender (not a charger) even when just parked overnight. As a couple of others mentioned, also check all the connections, both at the battery terminals & at the starter & engine ground. Finally, are you aware that the manual '05's (and only the "05's) need to be shut down with the tranny in Reverse? If not, the electronics don't shut down completely & there will be parasitic drain on the battery. This condition was remedied from '06 on. Let us know how you ultimately make out. And by the way.....the clutch has nothing to do with the starter circuit....just a coincidence.
Last edited by Dave S; Aug 24, 2018 at 02:51 PM. Reason: added last sentence
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 19
Likes: 3
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 19
Likes: 3
C6's, especially the earlier years, are notorious for throwing error codes & having other faults when the battery starts going bad. You don't say how the battery was checked nor how old it is, but as an '05 owner since new, it's really important to keep the battery on a tender anytime the car is not used for a couple of days or more. If you don't know the age of the battery, my first suggestion is to replace it with a good, hi-quality battery. My original Delco lasted 7 years & was still good when I replaced it with an Optima Red Top. I've always used a tender (not a charger) even when just parked overnight. As a couple of others mentioned, also check all the connections, both at the battery terminals & at the starter & engine ground. Finally, are you aware that the manual '05's (and only the "05's) need to be shut down with the tranny in Reverse? If not, the electronics don't shut down completely & there will be parasitic drain on the battery. This condition was remedied from '06 on. Let us know how you ultimately make out. And by the way.....the clutch has nothing to do with the starter circuit....just a coincidence.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 19
Likes: 3
Dude attached a machine to the battery and got me to start the car. He said it was getting over 700 cranking amps and proclaimed "the battery is good". I am no mechanic so I took it to mean the battery is good and I don't have to worry about it.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 17,750
Likes: 1,210
From: Aiken, SC
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '26
OK, just want to be sure...
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 17,750
Likes: 1,210
From: Aiken, SC
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '26
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 379
Likes: 31
From: Hammond Indiana
On my 2005 I learned that I have to peg the clutch to the floor to start. If not the gauges sweep and then nothing happens. I could get lazy with my old Trans Am but not the Vet. I also get no fob if my cell phone is in the same pocket as the fob. Just some fyi.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,974
Likes: 148
From: Magnolia Texas
Do a forum search on clutch switch. There is a switch up under the dash that is compressed when the clutch is disengaged to allow a start. Known for get misaligned over time and unless the switch is compressed, no start. Might be your issue since multiple clutch movements allowed a start. Just a thought.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 19
Likes: 3
OK. Thanks for the tip. I'll test the phone thing.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 19
Likes: 3
Do a forum search on clutch switch. There is a switch up under the dash that is compressed when the clutch is disengaged to allow a start. Known for get misaligned over time and unless the switch is compressed, no start. Might be your issue since multiple clutch movements allowed a start. Just a thought.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,974
Likes: 148
From: Magnolia Texas
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 19
Likes: 3
The car, when this first started also threw out an error code to "Service TPMS". I read online the Remote Control Door Lock Receiver module also interfaces with the tire pressure sensors. Another article mentioned the RCDLR makes clicking noise and I can hear clicking in the car.