I have on 02' Z51 Coupe. It was garaged for the winter and started every month and rolled up/down driveway. I have unplugged the battery after each time for uncertainty of when the next start would be. The last time I started my car was 3 weeks ago, then ran her up and down the street. I had to put her on the charger for 5 minutes prior but she started right up and purred. I went to my car today after getting it registered and it wouldn't crank. I bought a new battery after a few failed attempts (thinking that was the cause), but still got no where. I put the key in and turn it, all the lights and gauges turn on and act normal. Battery voltage is roughly 11.9 as soon as I turn the key to 'start' it wont do anything. The lights and everything stay on and act normal though. The battery voltage doesn't drop nor do anything crazy.

What I've tried:
-unplug/plug battery connectors. (terminals look great and wiring to and from looks unharmed)
-locking and unlocking car using fob
-leaving car in the 'on' stage for 10/20 minutes then turning it off to reset security

I've come to think it's a security issue (maybe VATS), or some malfunction in that field.

If you've heard of this happening or know how to correct this please let me know. I don't have much time before I leave town for a little while.

Thanks,
Joe

 

Also: Last year or the year before this had happened once - I had jiggled the key around and or switched keys and it was fine. This time that isn't the case.

 

I'd start with getting another battery.

 

Does it "click" when you turn the key?

 

Not it doesn't click. I hooked my brothers truck up with jumpers directly to the terminals of my car to try and start it. With all that juice it didn't start either.. which makes me think it's not the batter.

 

Try tracing the power lead down to the starter, it's a known problem down there. It gets a poor connection and leads to thinks like this.

 

Check the fuel injection fuses.

 

Double check all your connections. If it started before you disconnected the battery then you may have loosened a ground or positive. I would put the charger on the new battery to get it up to 12.5 v. I believe I read the vette needs min of 12.5 v. to start. Then use the jumpers again after the new battery is up to 12.5. Connect the pos to the + on the battery and connect the neg - to a ground on the frame.

 

It makes a click a the passenger side relay box
Checked fuses and even switched the same voltage ones to the starter. Still no go.

 

Clean your key chip with an eraser and some rubbing alcohol. May evey want to carefully try cleaning the ignition switch with a q-tip.

 

Stick/auto? Might be dumb but did you leave it in gear? Had the switch go out on my clutch pedal and took me a day to figure it out

 

I had the same exact issue with my car earlier this year. ('02 MN6 Coupe) I did a lot of trouble shooting and it wound up being the starter. Forum Member Bill Curlee is the guy to talk to for sure, he helped me with trouble shooting and I ended up ordering the starter from Gene at GM PartsHouse...

This is what I tried:

Opening the hood and having someone use a broom handle and bang the starter from the passengers side and then try and crank it..

Use your spare key if you have it. Sometimes the pellet (resistor) is bad on the key and you might need a new one.

Also under the passenger side foot well IN the car:

1: Car in Neutral
2. E-Brake up and chock the wheels
3. Key in the on position
4: Then go under the passenger side foot well and remove the carpet and access panel. The fuse box is on the right and then there is a series of wires on the left going into a box. If you use a paper clip and insert one side in where the red wire is and the other where the purple wire is and try to jump the two.

If it starts up Then I believe it is a bad relay/wires to the starter....


Hope this helps! If worse comes to worse I would definitely reach out to Bill Curlee for troubleshooting tips!

 

Sharing this ......

 

Of course!

 

Pretty far in left field, but have you checked your chassis grounds ?

 

My guess is that you arent getting power to the starter

 

Starter it is. Now it's unfortunate that the headers and exhaust being in the way its going to be a few hr job...