Help - '08 won't start
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 69
Likes: 1
From: Pasadena CA
Help - '08 won't start
I just finished washing the '08 vert and it won't start. I drove it yesterday, but now when open the door, get in, and push the start button it simply won't start.
At first, it said "no fobs detected". I was taking it to the car wash (to use the powerful vacuum), with a lot of quarters in my pocket, so I figured maybe that was causing the problem. I ook it out of my pocket, on the passenger seat, and no real change. I even put the fob in the glove box, and then I don't get the no fobs detected button, but I do get a lot of rapid clicking and I can see the dashboard blinking several times a second. It also seems like it thinks the engine is started -- I'll get a lot of messages like "can't go over 80 MPH" and "shocks not working".
The car's completely stock, except for a mild to wild and a Sosche iPod adapter.
Is this likely to be just a dead battery, or does it sound like something more serious?
If it won't start, how do I get it to the dealer for service? It's at the end of my driveway, probably 100' from the street. It won't shift out of park.
On the plus side, when it does make it to the dealer I understand the PAL is finally out, so hopefully I'll be able to get that installed at the same time.
Thanks for any help you can give me.
At first, it said "no fobs detected". I was taking it to the car wash (to use the powerful vacuum), with a lot of quarters in my pocket, so I figured maybe that was causing the problem. I ook it out of my pocket, on the passenger seat, and no real change. I even put the fob in the glove box, and then I don't get the no fobs detected button, but I do get a lot of rapid clicking and I can see the dashboard blinking several times a second. It also seems like it thinks the engine is started -- I'll get a lot of messages like "can't go over 80 MPH" and "shocks not working".
The car's completely stock, except for a mild to wild and a Sosche iPod adapter.
Is this likely to be just a dead battery, or does it sound like something more serious?
If it won't start, how do I get it to the dealer for service? It's at the end of my driveway, probably 100' from the street. It won't shift out of park.
On the plus side, when it does make it to the dealer I understand the PAL is finally out, so hopefully I'll be able to get that installed at the same time.
Thanks for any help you can give me.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 0
From: HOUSTON TEXAS
on lot a long time..
alot of 08's sitting on dealerships lots for long periods of time....KILLS THE BATTERY....once you get it, its only a matter of time before the battery takes a sh*t...
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
A few things: did you leave anything running like a radio or player while washing? it lowers the battery level and the C6 batteries are close to the edge in many instances. Also, I've read that some of the add-ons like MP3, etc. do actually cause a drain, and can be on all the time. kind of odd since you've been using the car for over a year, but who knows? finally, I will assume that the exhaust switch is hooked up so it won't drain either, if the engine is off. if not, it's a drain potential, too.
it is possible it's just the battery being old. get a jump, ride it around above 1500 rpm for 30-45 minutes and see if it restarts. be close to home when you try the restart....
it is possible it's just the battery being old. get a jump, ride it around above 1500 rpm for 30-45 minutes and see if it restarts. be close to home when you try the restart....
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Optima has a $25.00 rebate going on and you can get one at any major auto parts retailer including NAPA, AutoZone, Advance, O'Rielly's etc.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,335
Likes: 0
From: Eagle River AK
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10,'14
I just finished washing the '08 vert and it won't start. I drove it yesterday, but now when open the door, get in, and push the start button it simply won't start.
At first, it said "no fobs detected". I was taking it to the car wash (to use the powerful vacuum), with a lot of quarters in my pocket, so I figured maybe that was causing the problem. I ook it out of my pocket, on the passenger seat, and no real change. I even put the fob in the glove box, and then I don't get the no fobs detected button, but I do get a lot of rapid clicking and I can see the dashboard blinking several times a second. It also seems like it thinks the engine is started -- I'll get a lot of messages like "can't go over 80 MPH" and "shocks not working".
The car's completely stock, except for a mild to wild and a Sosche iPod adapter.
Is this likely to be just a dead battery, or does it sound like something more serious?
If it won't start, how do I get it to the dealer for service? It's at the end of my driveway, probably 100' from the street. It won't shift out of park.
On the plus side, when it does make it to the dealer I understand the PAL is finally out, so hopefully I'll be able to get that installed at the same time.
Thanks for any help you can give me.
At first, it said "no fobs detected". I was taking it to the car wash (to use the powerful vacuum), with a lot of quarters in my pocket, so I figured maybe that was causing the problem. I ook it out of my pocket, on the passenger seat, and no real change. I even put the fob in the glove box, and then I don't get the no fobs detected button, but I do get a lot of rapid clicking and I can see the dashboard blinking several times a second. It also seems like it thinks the engine is started -- I'll get a lot of messages like "can't go over 80 MPH" and "shocks not working".
The car's completely stock, except for a mild to wild and a Sosche iPod adapter.
Is this likely to be just a dead battery, or does it sound like something more serious?
If it won't start, how do I get it to the dealer for service? It's at the end of my driveway, probably 100' from the street. It won't shift out of park.
On the plus side, when it does make it to the dealer I understand the PAL is finally out, so hopefully I'll be able to get that installed at the same time.
Thanks for any help you can give me.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
just press the onstar and tell them to come get it.