I have a 2014 Z51 stick and lately when i push the starter button either nothing happens or i just here a click. (Not all the time). when i fool with the shifter or hit the clutch a few times it does start as normal. Is this a sign of something going? Anyone else experience this?

 

It might be a safety switch. Not sure where it would be located. Perhaps at the top of the clutch pedal? Could just be loose.

 

Thanks

 

How old is the battery in the car?

Elmer

 

4 years

 

Old batteries cause all sorts of gremlins.

 

My '14 is on it's 2nd replacement battery. Basically 4.5 years a battery.


Elmer

 

Thanks

 

A click usually indicates there is sufficient electrical current available to pull the solenoid in and engage the starter with the flywheel but insufficient current coming through the high current path from the battery to turn the starter. The predominant cause for this is a weak battery. However, the battery terminal connections can be corroded/dirty/loose and cause the same symptom. Lastly, there could be an issue with the solenoid or the starter. In the old days, the solenoid was separately replaceable but is now part of the starter.

Here is a diagnostic procedure for the symptoms you describe:






Here is the starting schematic:

You can see the high current path from the battery on the left and the low current path from the ECM to the Starter Relay in the middle. The high current path can handle several hundred amps of surge current and a battery that is in good condition can provide upwards of 600 cold cranking amps. However, any resistance in that high amperage circuit due to bad connections can drastically reduce the current to the starter and keep it from turning.





The fact you hear a click means the clutch position sensor output is detected by the ECM when the clutch iis pushed in thus permitting the ECM to engage the Start Relay. If you get nothing that means that something is preventing the ECM from engaging the Start Relay or battery power has dropped so low the starter solenoid doesn't have sufficient power to move the starter. The fact that it is intermittent and resolves when you pump the clutch may point to a problem with the clutch position sensor or its calibration. That sensor varies its resistance through the motion of the clutch pedal and if the resistance is inconsistent that will prevent the ECM from engaging the Start Relay. The problem could be related to loose/dirty/corroded positive cable and ground cable connections including at the battery and the frame or other locations where there are connections.

Bill