Corvette won't crank; random error messages
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: California
Corvette won't crank; random error messages
Hello all, my 2009 Base Corvette refuses to start. This was a project that I purchased so I'm definitely expecting trouble 
The car works great in accessory mode, all lights, radio, A/C, etc. The battery is new.
When I try to start the engine, I hear a click, but nothing else. No cranking, no startup, nothing. Instead, the gauges do their dance and a bunch of random error messages show up: Service Traction System, Service Anti-lock brakes, Service Fuel System, Fuel Low. Moreover, my fuel gauge is at empty, but I had put a couple gallons of 91 into the car. I watched this video (which basically mirrors my exact problem)
but I don't think my relays are bad (I tried interchanging all of them. The windshield wiper relays work). I checked the fuses in the engine bay, and none look bad.
Has anyone had this problem during their time of ownership? I'm at a total lost on what to do.
Edit: The car was hit on the passenger side front fender. There don't appear to be any broken wiring, and ECM appears undamaged.
The car works great in accessory mode, all lights, radio, A/C, etc. The battery is new.When I try to start the engine, I hear a click, but nothing else. No cranking, no startup, nothing. Instead, the gauges do their dance and a bunch of random error messages show up: Service Traction System, Service Anti-lock brakes, Service Fuel System, Fuel Low. Moreover, my fuel gauge is at empty, but I had put a couple gallons of 91 into the car. I watched this video (which basically mirrors my exact problem)
Has anyone had this problem during their time of ownership? I'm at a total lost on what to do.
Edit: The car was hit on the passenger side front fender. There don't appear to be any broken wiring, and ECM appears undamaged.
Last edited by carboyanno; Oct 11, 2016 at 10:46 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,755
Likes: 190
From: Baton Rouge LA
St. Jude Donor '14, '16
Check all the grounds first, then check for power at the starter solenoid (might need help for this since you'll probably need to have someone try to crank it with the starter unhooked). If you're getting power to the solenoid but nothing is happening I'd change that piece.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 230
Likes: 10
From: Valencia,Ca,USA CA
Was the battery missing ? Did the old one leak ? Do you have anymore history on the car you can share ? Just an FYI...I have an 07 theft recovery, the engine harness was CUT.
Once I got the electrical system PARTIALLY on line ( no engine nor ABS connections ) I got the EXACT series of messages in the DIC on "start". I would inspect ALL wiring very closely!
Once I got the electrical system PARTIALLY on line ( no engine nor ABS connections ) I got the EXACT series of messages in the DIC on "start". I would inspect ALL wiring very closely!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: California
Was the battery missing ? Did the old one leak ? Do you have anymore history on the car you can share ? Just an FYI...I have an 07 theft recovery, the engine harness was CUT.
Once I got the electrical system PARTIALLY on line ( no engine nor ABS connections ) I got the EXACT series of messages in the DIC on "start". I would inspect ALL wiring very closely!
Once I got the electrical system PARTIALLY on line ( no engine nor ABS connections ) I got the EXACT series of messages in the DIC on "start". I would inspect ALL wiring very closely!
When you say cut do you mean physically? Also, Just to double check the engine harness is the wiring that connects to the ecm right? They grey and or black one? Thanks
Last edited by carboyanno; Oct 11, 2016 at 10:47 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,262
Likes: 122
From: Vetteville Tennessee
You have an issue with the CAN bus...(serial data) communication between all the modules. One of the modules on the bus is having and issue and hosing the bus. You can jumper the input/output of each module to remove said module from the bus. Do you have a service manual? If so you will find a schematic diagram for the CAN bus with the pinouts.
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,262
Likes: 122
From: Vetteville Tennessee
One of your fellow Corvette members posted this schematic in another another thread..
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...c6-2005-a.html
Post #5.
Good luck!
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...c6-2005-a.html
Post #5.
Good luck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 851
Likes: 112
From: Torrance California
That's the same scenario that I had a few years ago on my '08' Z06. What the dealer found was that the BCM was at fault. The BCM was OK, but the pins where it plugs into were not making the proper connection or were intermittent. Chevy has a Tech Bulletin out to correct the problem. Its #09-06-03-004E. (Intermittent no start/no crank no module communication). The fix is simple, remove BCM, check pins for tightness, lube with a dielectric lube. That said, also check the wires at the starter for security as this also been a problem. By the way, this Tech Bulletin also applies to other Chevy car lines other than the Vette. Hope this helps.
Pro
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 678
Likes: 12
From: Middle-O-Nowhere
When I pulled/re-installed my engine harness I accidentally plugged the BCM and Trans harness into each other. They are identical plugs. They are also in the passenger fender well. The problem you are having is the exact problem I had on my car.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: California
I'm not too sure how they could've been misplugged on this car, but I'll definitely give it a look!
EDIT: So I went ahead and removed the harnesses, gave each a spray of electrical cleaner, and applied dielectric grease. I did this for the ECM as well. The harnesses were plugged properly, so no problems there. I still have the problem and my OBD2 is pulling a U0100 code "lost connection with ecm/pcm". I did notice that a "gill" on my ecm has been chipped off. Would this be a problem? All the electronic accessories work on the car still though.
Last edited by carboyanno; Oct 13, 2016 at 12:35 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
I'm not too sure how they could've been misplugged on this car, but I'll definitely give it a look!
EDIT: So I went ahead and removed the harnesses, gave each a spray of electrical cleaner, and applied dielectric grease. I did this for the ECM as well. The harnesses were plugged properly, so no problems there. I still have the problem and my OBD2 is pulling a U0100 code "lost connection with ecm/pcm". I did notice that a "gill" on my ecm has been chipped off. Would this be a problem? All the electronic accessories work on the car still though.
EDIT: So I went ahead and removed the harnesses, gave each a spray of electrical cleaner, and applied dielectric grease. I did this for the ECM as well. The harnesses were plugged properly, so no problems there. I still have the problem and my OBD2 is pulling a U0100 code "lost connection with ecm/pcm". I did notice that a "gill" on my ecm has been chipped off. Would this be a problem? All the electronic accessories work on the car still though.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: California
Good to know 
About the battery, I just disconnect the negative and leave the positive connected. Will it still drain the battery? Thanks.
Regarding the starter solenoid, if it is not working or the connection is bad, would the vette still throw up all these random error messages?
About the battery, I just disconnect the negative and leave the positive connected. Will it still drain the battery? Thanks.Regarding the starter solenoid, if it is not working or the connection is bad, would the vette still throw up all these random error messages?
Last edited by carboyanno; Oct 13, 2016 at 01:47 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
Good to know About the battery, I just disconnect the negative and leave the positive connected. Will it still drain the battery? Thanks.
Regarding the starter solenoid, if it is not working or the connection is bad, would the vette still throw up all these random error messages?
About the battery, I just disconnect the negative and leave the positive connected. Will it still drain the battery? Thanks.Regarding the starter solenoid, if it is not working or the connection is bad, would the vette still throw up all these random error messages?
2. I do not believe so. It would not start, but I don't think it would throw all those messages. The problem needs to be addressed in a general way...looking for major communication issues. In my opinion the wrong way to to it is to start trying to diagnose one issue by one issue as they are all being caused together by a communication issue. This is one flaw in the whole OBDII system that affects all cars.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 45
Likes: 2
From: San Diego
Did you ever find the solution to this problem? My 06 is doing the exact same thing. I drove to the gas station and noticed “calibrating traction system” popped up, and a while later it said it was complete and everything was normal (although I thought that message was odd). Got gas, fired it up, no problems. Then about 5 or 6 miles later I was driving down the highway and randomly all of my gages died, but the car was still running no problem. I drove it off the highway and into a residential area, and when I parked it was still running and idling fine, but I had zero data on the dash. Same lights and messages you described popped up. I shut the car off myself, and when I went to restart it, it would t even try to crank. Everything had power, window rolled up and down fast, all lights came on, but the dash took about 10 seconds to fire up and go through its sequence instead of immediately when I push the button. I also can’t read any codes from the OBDii port. It lights up my scanner so I know it has power, but won’t actually connect. Did you have any luck with your car?
Racer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 401
Likes: 79
From: Northeast PA
Suggest seeing if you have 5V reference power, to a few sensors, & via the DLC OBD connector, that gives a direction to go before tearing into harnesses, etc. Nothing will work if that power isn't there... no power to cam/crank pos sensors, then no start, no spark, no fuel...
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,262
Likes: 122
From: Vetteville Tennessee
Read post 7,9, and 10. Your fix is that close. The reason your scanner won't connect is it talks to the BCM/ECM on the GMLAN (can bus) which in your case is down. If I was a betting man I would bet post #10 hit it on the head. I would venture to say 75% of can bus problems is the pins in the connecter (supplies the hi+/lo- signals) on the BCM. There's inputs and outputs (see schematic). The reason they are high failure is because where GM located the module (passenger footwell) where people put their feet and put pressure on the connector thus spreading the female pin to where contact is intermittent to the male pin. The next high failure would be the VCIM module. Then the EBCM module. It's very easy to troubleshoot.
Good luck
Good luck
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 45
Likes: 2
From: San Diego
Read post 7,9, and 10. Your fix is that close. The reason your scanner won't connect is it talks to the BCM/ECM on the GMLAN (can bus) which in your case is down. If I was a betting man I would bet post #10 hit it on the head. I would venture to say 75% of can bus problems is the pins in the connecter (supplies the hi+/lo- signals) on the BCM. There's inputs and outputs (see schematic). The reason they are high failure is because where GM located the module (passenger footwell) where people put their feet and put pressure on the connector thus spreading the female pin to where contact is intermittent to the male pin. The next high failure would be the VCIM module. Then the EBCM module. It's very easy to troubleshoot.
Good luck
Good luck
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 45
Likes: 2
From: San Diego
Update: We got the car started, but it wont continue to run. We tested the batter y and it was good, so we pulled the starter relay and jumped the starter and finally got it to crank. Once we actually turned the ignition on and jumped the starter, it fired up! But, it would only idle for about a second and would die. If I give it gas, it fires up, revs up a little, and then dies again after a second. Unless we jump that starter, it won't crank by pushing the start button. Any ideas of why it wont stay running once it starts?