09 Z06, 11k miles, always on a battery tender on the original battery (not that it matters when it comes to the topic of replacing the battery). Wife and I go out to eat, car starts up like a champ like always, park it and come back out an hour later. We were both able to get into the car, the windows went up and then I hit the run button and nothing happened. No click from the starter, nothing. However, all the exterior/interior lights were on like they normally do when we hit start. Hitting the accessory switch didnt turn anything off or do anything. The car sat for 2 hours waiting for a tow and the lights actually stayed on for 2 hours before the battery gave up. Even when I shifted into reverse, the back up camera came on. Flat bed tow back home and onto today.

So the obvious, replace a battery that is 9 years old because the c6 acts bat **** crazy when the battery takes a dump. New battery, hook all the power up and the fobs work, the doors open, the trunk opens, the radio powers up. I hit the run button hear a **** ton of clicking everywhere and nothing. Now after this, the fobs dont work, the doors dont open but I can turn the headlamps on, turn the radio on (by using the latch in the rear to open the drivers door). I try reprogramming the fobs but it wont even go into learn mode.

Now I disconnect the negative battery terminal about 10 minutes ago. For ***** and giggles I reconnect it and guess what, the fobs work, the accessory position works but then I hit the run position and everthing goes to ****. Car goes bezerk and then im back to square one with nothing working (minus a few other things like headlamps, and the hatch assist).

Essentially when I hit start/run and it sends power to the starter, the car is done. The obvious is replace the starter, but why would a busted starter cause havoc on my electrical system? Maybe the ignition switch? But I dont see too many threads on them causing chaos

 

Starter is dead shorted. Key on engine off mode (don’t press the clutch) and push start it, if it fine I would just get a starter. 9 years on orig batt? Must have been tendered all it’s life...

 

thank you and yes its been tendered the entire time. So what exactly is a dead shorted starter?

 

Maybe repost in a C6 section???

 

I did

 

Yes, I believe the starter motor itself is shorted. The positive cable goes to the solenoid, but it relays power to the starter and if it’s shorted everything will wig out. That would be the first thing to check out, you could even bring the starter to the auto parts and have it no load tested. Trust me, if it’s shorted your gonna know.

 

just went out, hooked up the battery and hit the run button, car didnt freak out at all with the clutch out; think you may have called it!!!!!!

 

Then you cross posted because it's still in C7

 

damn it!

 

Replace the starter and do a burnout for me

John

 

I had a similar issue in my C5. Hit the key, nothing. Jiggle the battery cables, I hear a click and stuff energizing. Back to the key, nothing.

Long story short, the battery cable terminal screws were stripped.
Wire brushed the cable ends, replaced the terminal screws, no more problems.

The other option, and I dont know if the C6 HVAC is like the 5, your AC drain line may be plugged. Water buildup in the blower box leaks into the passenger footwell....right over a computer. Moisture there causes the electronics to go nuts.

 

starter is out and gets tested tomorrow, if you are right, ill do a burn out and send you beer!

 

Took it to autozone to have it tested, came back "inconclusive". So the pinion gear comes out, but doesnt spin. Regardless, the starter has to be replaced and ill have a new one tomorrow afternoon. Hope you are right............ive checked every single ground, relay and fuse and cannot find a damn thing wrong.

 

I bought a 1999 GMC 2500 used in about 2002 with 35K on it. I believe it had the original delco battery when I got it. Two years ago I had to change that same battery. 17 years on a delco and only put about 80K on it. You gotta figure that the truck sat for long periods of time of at least a month or more without being started, and that delco never failed. Never saw a charger in its life. It was a sad day when it finally gave up the ghost. That green interstate has some mighty big shoes to fill......