Car won't start
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
Car won't start
I got into my 2005 C6 today, hit the start button and nothing happened. The dash and headlights come on, but I figured maybe the battery was drained enough for the car not to crank. I tried to jump the car and it still would not crank, so I hooked my battery charger to it and let it charge until the charger read FULL (took about 5 hours). Needless to say, the car still won't turn over. The headlights are bright so I think it has a full charge. What else should I check before getting it towed to a mechanic? I have owned the car for a year and have not experienced DBS. I am in FL and we just had a coldfront pass which dropped the temps to freezing Wed. night. The last time I drove the car was Monday and it started fine. I was hoping it was just the battery and the cold weather killed it (and it still may be since I haven't tried a new battery but it seems to have a good charge now). Being this is my first push button start car, should it still crank if the battery is weak? It is doing absolutely nothing when I hit the button. Tomorrow I will check fuses, a bad starter crossed my mind (can I check that myself?), but other than that, I have no idea what it could be. Any suggestions?
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,887
Likes: 4,342
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
You seem to have ruled out the battery as the problem. Assuming you don't have a 'no fob detected' on the DIC, my first guess would be starter relay since you are not turning over at all.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,902
Likes: 2
From: RIP Lotus
St. Jude Donor '09
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
I do not think the battery is original. It is a Bosch battery. Doesn't it come stock with a Delco?
The clutch itself feels fine. Is the switch hooked directly to the pedal?
Where is the starter relay?
This problem happened to me once before in another car of mine and it turned out to be the Engine fuse under the dash. I will check that tomorrow also.
The clutch itself feels fine. Is the switch hooked directly to the pedal?
Where is the starter relay?
This problem happened to me once before in another car of mine and it turned out to be the Engine fuse under the dash. I will check that tomorrow also.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 747
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
I do not think the battery is original. It is a Bosch battery. Doesn't it come stock with a Delco?
The clutch itself feels fine. Is the switch hooked directly to the pedal?
Where is the starter relay?
This problem happened to me once before in another car of mine and it turned out to be the Engine fuse under the dash. I will check that tomorrow also.
The clutch itself feels fine. Is the switch hooked directly to the pedal?
Where is the starter relay?
This problem happened to me once before in another car of mine and it turned out to be the Engine fuse under the dash. I will check that tomorrow also.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,863
Likes: 150
From: Woodland CA
In the glove box there is an area to slide the fob into. Left side of the glove box i think. (looks like a slot) Put the fob in there and try to start the car again. If it starts, that means the battery in the fob is dead or close to it.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,516
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
I do not think the battery is original. It is a Bosch battery. Doesn't it come stock with a Delco?
The clutch itself feels fine. Is the switch hooked directly to the pedal?
Where is the starter relay?
This problem happened to me once before in another car of mine and it turned out to be the Engine fuse under the dash. I will check that tomorrow also.
The clutch itself feels fine. Is the switch hooked directly to the pedal?
Where is the starter relay?
This problem happened to me once before in another car of mine and it turned out to be the Engine fuse under the dash. I will check that tomorrow also.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,269
Likes: 4
From: Mililani HI
First hope you had your FOB on you or in the car. What is or what did your DIC saying "NO FOB DETECTED?" Try your other FOB, or place the one you have in the FOB slot in the glove box.
If you have On Star have them run a diagnostic check.
Battery ruled out,
Check fuses
Check starter relay
If you have On Star have them run a diagnostic check.
Battery ruled out,
Check fuses
Check starter relay
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
This happened to a buddy too recently. The dealer spent thousands on diagnosis (under warranty) replacing things like BCM, etc. We on the board suspected the clutch switch and guess what it was. Clutch switch.
Is your green light on on the button? When you press it do your dash lights go on but no start? If so, that's most likey the clutch switch. $18 and easy to change, or to jump out for that matter to test if you're handy with such things.
Is your green light on on the button? When you press it do your dash lights go on but no start? If so, that's most likey the clutch switch. $18 and easy to change, or to jump out for that matter to test if you're handy with such things.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Check all fuses in the underhood box. If no then disconnect and reconnect the battery +. Wait 30 seconds.
My car had all this happen and it wasnt the clutch switch. In the event of certain emmissions codes the car wont start. I had a blown switch for the evap solenoid and it caused a bunch of codes. The car didnt turn over. The battery wasnt dead although it was over 3yrs and due anyway so I changed it. The dash wasnt showing anything in the DIC. The biggest issue was that the car wouldnt go into rerverse (it was locked) and I didnt hear the column lock solenoid. When it finally went into reverse with the new fuse, everything else seemed to click in and the column lock engaged and the car started up as if nothing ever happened.
Does the car go into reverse (lights on) and does the column lock engage and disengage with the start-up sequence?
My car had all this happen and it wasnt the clutch switch. In the event of certain emmissions codes the car wont start. I had a blown switch for the evap solenoid and it caused a bunch of codes. The car didnt turn over. The battery wasnt dead although it was over 3yrs and due anyway so I changed it. The dash wasnt showing anything in the DIC. The biggest issue was that the car wouldnt go into rerverse (it was locked) and I didnt hear the column lock solenoid. When it finally went into reverse with the new fuse, everything else seemed to click in and the column lock engaged and the car started up as if nothing ever happened.
Does the car go into reverse (lights on) and does the column lock engage and disengage with the start-up sequence?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 1
From: Southlake Texas
Did you remove and clean the battery posts and wire terminals?
First step is to always check for corrosion on the battery posts and terminals. I watched a tow truck try to jump a car many years ago without success (the car was working fine the day before). After the truck left I helped the owner clean the corrosion from the battery posts/terminals and the car started easily without assistance.
If the terminals are corroded, the battery will not charge if the charger is connected directly through the terminals. Lights will often work because they don't as reqire much current as the starter.
Good luck.
First step is to always check for corrosion on the battery posts and terminals. I watched a tow truck try to jump a car many years ago without success (the car was working fine the day before). After the truck left I helped the owner clean the corrosion from the battery posts/terminals and the car started easily without assistance.
If the terminals are corroded, the battery will not charge if the charger is connected directly through the terminals. Lights will often work because they don't as reqire much current as the starter.
Good luck.
