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-   -   Car wont start? I have power but it will not turn over. (https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c4-tech-performance/501135-car-wont-start-i-have-power-but-it-will-not-turn-over.html)

TrplBlk01 02-25-2003 09:49 PM

Car wont start? I have power but it will not turn over.
 
All lights come on and I have proper voltage? :confused: :confused:

RED92LT1 02-25-2003 09:59 PM

Re: Car wont start? I have power but it will not turn over. (blk91)
 
Did you check voltage at the starter when the key is in the start position? Also, you didn't mention if it's a manual or automatic trans. Might need more info to help you troubleshoot the problem.

Brian

TrplBlk01 02-25-2003 11:03 PM

Re: Car wont start? I have power but it will not turn over. (blk91)
 
It's an auto and I have yet to check the voltage. Will do now though.

jfb 02-25-2003 11:59 PM

Re: Car wont start? I have power but it will not turn over. (blk91)
 
Most likely you have a VATS problem. First try your spare ign key, its pellet is higher than your everyday key. Next, with the ign sw in start position, wiggle your gear lever, it might make the safety switch make connection. If no help, find the 2 wires from the steering column from the contacts in the ign sw that make with the pellet (they come out the column on the floor in my 87) and unplug them, then with the key in the ign, measure the resistance on the wires from the column, it should be the same as the pellet. If over 10k ohms, then you need a new ign sw. If ok, then pull the cover over the gear selector and check the safety switch on the gear lever. You can bypass VATS temporarily until you can schedule replacing the ign sw by clipping a fixed resistor onto the wires going over to the passenger side (VATS module). Don'
t permanently bypass VATS because 99% of thefts are done by bashing the column and jumping the ignition.


[Modified by jfb, 11:01 PM 2/25/2003]

vader86 02-26-2003 12:21 AM

Re: Car wont start? I have power but it will not turn over. (jfb)
 
thats a VATS problem, mine has done it before

i give it about 5-7min and try it again, always works

TrplBlk01 02-26-2003 08:28 AM

Re: Car wont start? I have power but it will not turn over. (vader86)
 
Well I let it sit over night and tried to start it this morning and get the same thing.
NOTHING :D
This sucks!

RED92LT1 02-26-2003 12:04 PM

Re: Car wont start? I have power but it will not turn over. (blk91)
 
Let's see if we can get to the bottom of this.

1. Does the starter turn over at all?

2.Did you have someone turn the key to the start position while you
checked the voltage at the starter lug (heavy gauge wire on the starter)?

3. Do you hear any clicking sounds coming from the starter area when you
turn the key to the start position?

4. Did this happen suddenly or was there an indication that something was
starting to break down. (Intermittent starting problems)?

5. Have you tried putting the car in neutral and then turn the key or even
while holding the key in the start position shift between Park and Neutral?

Probably something simple ... let us know what you find.


Brian

jfb 02-26-2003 12:37 PM

Re: Car wont start? I have power but it will not turn over. (blk91)
 
If you can hear the start enable relay click behind the center of the console when you hit the start position, then VATS is ok, although the gear selector safety switch can still prevent the starter from cranking.

TrplBlk01 02-26-2003 01:12 PM

Re: Car wont start? I have power but it will not turn over. (jfb)
 
I have yet to check the volts but when I turn the key I get all power accessories light up and when I turn it I get nothing. No noise, nothing :mad

Cap'n Rich 02-26-2003 01:50 PM

Re: Car wont start? I have power but it will not turn over. (blk91)
 

I have yet to check the volts but when I turn the key I get all power accessories light up and when I turn it I get nothing. No noise, nothing :mad
What are you telling us, here? Do you mean that when you turn the key to the start position that power disappears? Try this - turn on the headlights. Turn the key to the start position. What happens to the headlights? Do they stay unchanged, dim a bit, or go out like blowing out a candle?

Rich

robertpel9 02-26-2003 02:21 PM

Re: Car wont start? I have power but it will not turn over. (Cap'n Rich)
 
It sounds like a VATS problem. Stop at the dealer and get a new key made and you should be all set. The pellet actually wears down. I could not believe the difference in my new key Vs. the old one. My car was doing the same thing. I got a new key, problem solved :cheers:

86_RedRider 02-26-2003 03:19 PM

Re: Car wont start? I have power but it will not turn over. (robertpel9)
 
VATS sucks. I get that at least once a month. Walk away for about 5 minutes and that sucka starts right up. Does anyone have one of those bypasses? What's your take on it?

jfb 02-26-2003 03:37 PM

Re: Car wont start? I have power but it will not turn over. (86_RedRider)
 
My take on it is to replace your ign switch. I have done it when it wouldn't crank and I traced it to the ign sw. Bypassing the VATS sets you up for an easy theft of your C4. I bypassed mine only long enough to schedule a replacement. Take care of you car and your car will take care of you.

TrplBlk01 02-26-2003 03:50 PM

Re: Car wont start? I have power but it will not turn over. (Cap'n Rich)
 

I have yet to check the volts but when I turn the key I get all power accessories light up and when I turn it I get nothing. No noise, nothing :mad

What are you telling us, here? Do you mean that when you turn the key to the start position that power disappears? Try this - turn on the headlights. Turn the key to the start position. What happens to the headlights? Do they stay unchanged, dim a bit, or go out like blowing out a candle?

Rich

It still has power to the acc's but just wont turn over at all or even make a noise.


Take care of you car and your car will take care of you.
15k in the last 1 1/2 years :mad
Have the receipts to prove it!


[Modified by blk91, 3:02 PM 2/26/2003]

Goody 02-26-2003 04:39 PM

Re: Car wont start? I have power but it will not turn over. (blk91)
 
I've had the ghost VATS problems every once in a great while (6mo). Starts after a few minutes. You are in need of the factory service manuals now. Don't want to start throwing money at it needlessly.

RED92LT1 02-26-2003 09:01 PM

Re: Car wont start? I have power but it will not turn over. (Goody)
 
Honestly guys ... I think we need more information and need to check the basics before we can get to the bottom of this without doing a frame off restoration.

Just my humble opinion.

I have a question on VATS problems ... does the starter turn over when the VATS is acting funky ... or does the starter NOT turn over at all?

Brian


[Modified by RED92LT1, 8:04 PM 2/26/2003]

Goody 02-27-2003 09:33 AM

Re: Car wont start? I have power but it will not turn over. (RED92LT1)
 
There will be no turning over at the starter with VATS working. Also, injectors will not get pulsed.

Cap'n Rich 02-27-2003 03:42 PM

Re: Car wont start? I have power but it will not turn over. (blk91)
 

It still has power to the acc's but just wont turn over at all or even make a noise.
Okay. My first thought is that you had an intermittent contact at the battery terminal and, when you hit the starter, the connection broke. But if you still have headlights, it isn't that. Next likely culprit is the VATS. Do a search on the forum and get the information you need about wires to bypass the VATS temporarily. Don't buy anything - it's a simple wire jumper. Get that done and it will either eliminate the VATS or condemn it.

Good Luck and take it a step at a time.

Rich

PTz-92-LT1 02-27-2003 06:12 PM

Re: Car wont start? I have power but it will not turn over. (blk91)
 
VATS...stick a "Q"tip in the igntion, twirl it around for a bit, clean your key and your off.

RED92LT1 02-27-2003 07:58 PM

Re: Car wont start? I have power but it will not turn over. (Goody)
 
I taped off the VATS chip on my key and had the same symptoms blk91 described.

I believe you guys nailed the problem :smash: ... VATS.

Thanks all for the enlightenment!

Brian


[Modified by RED92LT1, 7:01 PM 2/27/2003]

Shawnjulz Rice 07-07-2019 01:41 PM


Originally Posted by RED92LT1 (Post 5493061)
I taped off the VATS chip on my key and had the same symptoms blk91 described.

I believe you guys nailed the problem :smash: ... VATS.

Thanks all for the enlightenment!

Brian


[Modified by RED92LT1, 7:01 PM 2/27/2003]

This was not the fix for mine need more help. Please have tried all previous things

Scott Garner 07-09-2019 02:24 PM


Originally Posted by Shawnjulz Rice (Post 1599711141)
This was not the fix for mine need more help. Please have tried all previous things

When you turn the ign key to ON, does your Security light go solid for 2 seconds, then go out?

Shawnjulz Rice 07-10-2019 06:19 AM


Originally Posted by Scott Garner (Post 1599724327)
When you turn the ign key to ON, does your Security light go solid for 2 seconds, then go out?

Yes. Power to everything just wont start

cadmaniac 07-10-2019 07:02 AM

Why is everyone jumping on the VATS? Did you even try to bypass the neutral safety switch, or run a direct 12v wire to the starter to see if it cranks? It could be the starter solenoid, or broken connector to the solenoid too.

Just saying......

Scott Garner 07-10-2019 08:56 AM


Originally Posted by cadmaniac (Post 1599728499)
Why is everyone jumping on the VATS? Did you even try to bypass the neutral safety switch, or run a direct 12v wire to the starter to see if it cranks? It could be the starter solenoid, or broken connector to the solenoid too.

Just saying......

A perfectly valid point. I only asked because I just finished dealing with a VATS problem of my own, and it's high on my mind.

To the OP: You can rule out a lot of things with one test... If you jump the starter enable relay (part of VATS, behind the multi-use panel in the middle of your center dash) by unplugging it and connecting the outer yellow and green wires (#1 and #5 I think), then turn the key to Start, and if it cranks then I believe you can rule out problems at the battery, starter, starter solenoid, neutral/safety switch. At least, this is the case for my 89.

GregMartin 07-10-2019 09:28 AM


Originally Posted by cadmaniac (Post 1599728499)
Why is everyone jumping on the VATS? Did you even try to bypass the neutral safety switch, or run a direct 12v wire to the starter to see if it cranks? It could be the starter solenoid, or broken connector to the solenoid too.

Just saying......

:iagree:
with starter issues I always get a big screwdriver and short between the battery positive on the starter and the ignition terminal on the starter. This bypasses all the ignition circuitry and cranks the engine. This is one of the first tests you should do. It tests the starter the battery and the connection between the two. While your there just have a look and make sure the ignition wire is still connected to the starter.

Shawnjulz Rice 07-13-2019 06:33 PM


Originally Posted by cadmaniac (Post 1599728499)
Why is everyone jumping on the VATS? Did you even try to bypass the neutral safety switch, or run a direct 12v wire to the starter to see if it cranks? It could be the starter solenoid, or broken connector to the solenoid too.

Just saying......

Thank you everyone it was the starter

PacerX 07-14-2019 02:07 PM


Originally Posted by Shawnjulz Rice (Post 1599749978)
Thank you everyone it was the starter

Welp, glad it's fixed! Probably a big relief that you don't have to tear into it any more deeply than that.

Shawnjulz Rice 07-14-2019 04:55 PM

Airconditoner
 

Originally Posted by PacerX (Post 1599753614)
Welp, glad it's fixed! Probably a big relief that you don't have to tear into it any more deeply than that.

Bigger problem now is the ac wont blow cold unless u gun it when taking off. After that the fan blows freezing cold

BarAKennels 12-21-2021 02:47 PM

Same Problem-- I have checked voltage to starter = 12.6
The VATS, security blinks then put key in goes off, turn the key and nothing happens. I think the VATS is ok?
It all started when I trying to change out the climate control in the dash.
any ideas - thanks

GregMartin 12-21-2021 05:59 PM


Originally Posted by GregMartin (Post 1599729170)
:iagree:
with starter issues I always get a big screwdriver and short between the battery positive on the starter and the ignition terminal on the starter. This bypasses all the ignition circuitry and cranks the engine. This is one of the first tests you should do. It tests the starter the battery and the connection between the two. While your there just have a look and make sure the ignition wire is still connected to the starter.

Just quoting myself.

Sabre34 12-23-2021 08:58 AM

This thread is over 18 years old and the OP hasn’t been active for over two years.
:seeya


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