Fails to start
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 258
Likes: 14
From: Santa Maria Ca.
Fails to start
Hi,
I have a friend that has a 2005- C6; they use it everyday.
It recently started to fail to start. It fails to crank.
He told me that the car comes alive; the gauges wake up, idiot lights come on, but when they push the start button, it doesn't crank or start.
He replaced the battery and it started, but once in a while, it still fails.
He checks it out, looks for bad connections and it then starts for him.
Putting jumper cables doesn't help, but if he disconnects the battery and reconnects it, it always starts.
All my experience is with C5 and older vettes.
Is this something anyone has experienced?
I haven't been able to get any hits on an advanced search.
Thanks in advance.
Mike
I have a friend that has a 2005- C6; they use it everyday.
It recently started to fail to start. It fails to crank.
He told me that the car comes alive; the gauges wake up, idiot lights come on, but when they push the start button, it doesn't crank or start.
He replaced the battery and it started, but once in a while, it still fails.
He checks it out, looks for bad connections and it then starts for him.
Putting jumper cables doesn't help, but if he disconnects the battery and reconnects it, it always starts.
All my experience is with C5 and older vettes.
Is this something anyone has experienced?
I haven't been able to get any hits on an advanced search.
Thanks in advance.
Mike
SUBVETTE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 93
From: San Diego CA
A new bad battery could be the issue, a load test will tell. Key FOB battery could also be an issue, replace it. Interference by I-Phone or other electronic device in pocket with key FOB also could be issue. eliminate these issues one at a time to see if you solve the problem.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 534
Likes: 33
From: Southern cali
because this is an intermittent problem, I am willing to bet the solenoid is the root of the problem. Here is how to check it … lift your vette so you can go under it … next locate your starter ( the corvette uses an external solenoid that sit on top of the starter ) … reach up and wiggle the top post connection on the solenoid – if you have ANY wiggle it is bad… also feel around if there is any “burnt” spots….
If this is your problem … DO NOT take it to a dealer … they will try and tell you that the entire starter has to be replaced which is total BS… the solenoid is external and can be replaced.
It is really easy to pull a corvette starter – do it yourself. Once off, take it to a local shop and they will swap out the solenoid for about $20 ( entire starter swap at dealer is about $600-$750 )
P.S. noticed that your friend's Corvette is a 2005 -- that is the only year of the C6 generation that has a stearing wheel lock that is prone to failure -- i suggest when this problem is corected, they get that swapped out also...
If this is your problem … DO NOT take it to a dealer … they will try and tell you that the entire starter has to be replaced which is total BS… the solenoid is external and can be replaced.
It is really easy to pull a corvette starter – do it yourself. Once off, take it to a local shop and they will swap out the solenoid for about $20 ( entire starter swap at dealer is about $600-$750 )
P.S. noticed that your friend's Corvette is a 2005 -- that is the only year of the C6 generation that has a stearing wheel lock that is prone to failure -- i suggest when this problem is corected, they get that swapped out also...
Last edited by C6topless; Dec 24, 2012 at 12:04 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Until you do some electrical troubleshooting, you’re never going to be able to PIN POINT your issue. I have become a C5 starter electrical expert only because of necessity. The C6 is quickly falling into the same category! 
I had an 06 Coupe and Murphy’s Law states that the very first issue that you’re going to have is a STARTER ISSUE!
SO,, I did the required research and I can provide you some trouble shooting schematics. Here are the schematics that you need to study and become familiar with to accurately resolve your issue:
The C6 CAN have an issue where you press the START BUTTON and the dash goes blank (except for one yellow light on the IPC) and nothing happens for approx 5-6 seconds and the car fails to crank. Hopefully that is NOT your issue. If it is, your BCM is most likely in need of replacement.
Bill
I had an 06 Coupe and Murphy’s Law states that the very first issue that you’re going to have is a STARTER ISSUE!
SO,, I did the required research and I can provide you some trouble shooting schematics. Here are the schematics that you need to study and become familiar with to accurately resolve your issue:
The C6 CAN have an issue where you press the START BUTTON and the dash goes blank (except for one yellow light on the IPC) and nothing happens for approx 5-6 seconds and the car fails to crank. Hopefully that is NOT your issue. If it is, your BCM is most likely in need of replacement.
Bill
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
The CRANK RELAY is a very good place to start troubleshooting. Test to see if you are getting 12VDC on the PURPLE/WHITE wire when you meet all the conditions to crank the engine.
See if the relay energizes or not.
Bill
See if the relay energizes or not.
Bill
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
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
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Calhoun Louisiana
2005 c6
I have a 2005 as well and last week I went out to take it for a spin and the car would not crank. Noticed that the positive lead was really corroded so I removed it cleaned the battery terminal as well as the clamp and the car started fine. Thought the problem was solved but then again yesterday done the same thing wouldn't start so went out today and tried jumping it off with 4ga. jumper cables using my duramax pickup which has plenty of charging capacity and the car still wouldn't start. Took some voltage reading with a Fluke meter and noticed that the voltage was low at around 11.9 volts. I remove the positive lead again cleaned again and it wasn't really that dirty as I cleaned last week replaced the lead and car started even though the battery wasn't charged any before I replaced the lead. Not sure at this point but seems as though something is being reset when the lead is disconnected and the reconnected as the car has started both times after this has been done. We have some red grease where I work that helps with eletrical connections so I will try to coat the battery terminals with this to see if it is really a connection problem.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 112
Likes: 2
From: Phoenix Arizona
Everyone, STOP!
I have the solution.
I just went through all of this with my 2005...Ignition button pressed, all lights come on, all gauges sweep, radio comes on....but nothing...right?
It's the column lock!
I had this issue for months, and embarrassingly had to pop the hood and pull a battery teminal off for 5 minutes to reset it, and then presto! The car starts.
But then, maybe 5 starts later, or possibly even the next start, it all happens again.
Corvette's of Houston came out with this:
http://corvettesofhouston.com/248-20...ock-eliminator
...and it's all you need! There's a YouTube video detailing the install.
Satisfied customers:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...ssues-fix.html
The first time restarting her, there's no "whirring" delay of the column lock motor retracting and she fires right up, every time!
I have the solution.
I just went through all of this with my 2005...Ignition button pressed, all lights come on, all gauges sweep, radio comes on....but nothing...right?
It's the column lock!
I had this issue for months, and embarrassingly had to pop the hood and pull a battery teminal off for 5 minutes to reset it, and then presto! The car starts.
But then, maybe 5 starts later, or possibly even the next start, it all happens again.
Corvette's of Houston came out with this:
http://corvettesofhouston.com/248-20...ock-eliminator
...and it's all you need! There's a YouTube video detailing the install.
Satisfied customers:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...ssues-fix.html
The first time restarting her, there's no "whirring" delay of the column lock motor retracting and she fires right up, every time!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
If you have a column lock issue,, you will have BCM DTCs... I'm not saying its a good idea not to install a Column Lock Bypass. Getting rid of a chance for Column Lock Failure is good fore thought but,, if you don't have any column lock DTC codes, its most likely not your NO START issue.
Like I stated earlier,, examining the START circuit with a meter, will save you time and money.
Bill
Like I stated earlier,, examining the START circuit with a meter, will save you time and money.
Bill
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 112
Likes: 2
From: Phoenix Arizona
If you have a column lock issue,, you will have BCM DTCs... I'm not saying its a good idea not to install a Column Lock Bypass. Getting rid of a chance for Column Lock Failure is good fore thought but,, if you don't have any column lock DTC codes, its most likely not your NO START issue.
Like I stated earlier,, examining the START circuit with a meter, will save you time and money.
Bill
Like I stated earlier,, examining the START circuit with a meter, will save you time and money.
Bill
Bill is right in his forethought comment....This has happened to numerous 2005s, and if that sound of the lock motor spinning after depressing the start button is slow on somedays, fast on others, sluggish the next, then I'd say you need to get this eliminator ASAP.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 857
Likes: 0
From: Pooler GA
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Calhoun Louisiana
2005 c6
Tried the car today and the "Service Column Lock" came up on the display and the car would not crank at that point and this is the first time I noticed this message, I could have overlooked it before not sure. Turned it back off and tried it again and it actually cranked the second time and the third. Just got back from eating out and the car cranked fine when I tried it going to the restaurant and held my breathe when leaving but it cranked just fine. So I am pretty sure that the problem will be solved when I install the COLUMN LOCK ELIMINATOR.
