Help! Z51 C7 Died while Driving
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 4
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Help! Z51 C7 Died while Driving
First post!
Car: C7 Corvette 2014 Z51 16,000mi
So I was driving my C7 to a cookout, took a corner through a light, drove down the street for about 45 seconds and then I heard a rapping metal noise " though I was dragging something," then the car shut off. I if I tried to start the car I would get a strong smell of burnt electronics and the car wouldn't turn over.
1) I'm thinking the starter solenoid got stuck, closed. Overdrawing power and pushing the starter wheel in to the flywheel.
2) Engine suddenly seized for no reason.
Any similar issues?
Car: C7 Corvette 2014 Z51 16,000mi
So I was driving my C7 to a cookout, took a corner through a light, drove down the street for about 45 seconds and then I heard a rapping metal noise " though I was dragging something," then the car shut off. I if I tried to start the car I would get a strong smell of burnt electronics and the car wouldn't turn over.
1) I'm thinking the starter solenoid got stuck, closed. Overdrawing power and pushing the starter wheel in to the flywheel.
2) Engine suddenly seized for no reason.
Any similar issues?
Last edited by Rhodiee-14'C7; Jul 25, 2022 at 06:01 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,871
Likes: 1,870
From: St. Louis Metro East IL
The starter should not engage by itself while driving. Sounds more like a mechanical issue. Something like a broken valve spring or other mechanical failure.
The smell was likely the starter overheating while trying to spin the motor.
Let us know what the problem is.
GL
Ron
The smell was likely the starter overheating while trying to spin the motor.
Let us know what the problem is.
GL
Ron
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 4
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 7,138
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From: Kannapolis MA.
You have my blessing
Good luck on getting your ride back on the road!
Take it apart and see it that's the culprit. 
Racer
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 257
Likes: 122
From: Mineola Texas
My car did the exact same thing. I thought it was an electrical issue. Nope! An intake valve spring broke and trashed the engine, even putting a hole in the block. The rod sticking through the hole in the block was still attached to the crank. This happened at 59,000 miles.
New GM crate motor, new intake (intake valve stem and other bits found in the original intake), new starter (starter overstressed by trying to start a locked up engine), new fuse plate on the battery (blew when trying to start a locked up engine) and new injectors since it’s easier to replace them when the motor is out of the car. $12,700.00 later it’s back to running great.
New GM crate motor, new intake (intake valve stem and other bits found in the original intake), new starter (starter overstressed by trying to start a locked up engine), new fuse plate on the battery (blew when trying to start a locked up engine) and new injectors since it’s easier to replace them when the motor is out of the car. $12,700.00 later it’s back to running great.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 15,199
Likes: 1,007
From: BOOMER SOONER
My car did the exact same thing. I thought it was an electrical issue. Nope! An intake valve spring broke and trashed the engine, even putting a hole in the block. The rod sticking through the hole in the block was still attached to the crank. This happened at 59,000 miles.
New GM crate motor, new intake (intake valve stem and other bits found in the original intake), new starter (starter overstressed by trying to start a locked up engine), new fuse plate on the battery (blew when trying to start a locked up engine) and new injectors since it’s easier to replace them when the motor is out of the car. $12,700.00 later it’s back to running great.
New GM crate motor, new intake (intake valve stem and other bits found in the original intake), new starter (starter overstressed by trying to start a locked up engine), new fuse plate on the battery (blew when trying to start a locked up engine) and new injectors since it’s easier to replace them when the motor is out of the car. $12,700.00 later it’s back to running great.