bronctwo

Looking for advise from some of you vette guru's out there. Have a 96 LT4 that has developed some starting issues. You turn the key and nothing happens (all lights come on but nothing happens on the starting end) no clicking no attempt to turn over. Then come back the next day, turns over and starts fine. Shut it off try again, nothing.... First I thought it may the clutch neutral safety switch, I ordered the part. The car is parked in the garage, in order to get under the dash I need the door all the way open which isn't happening, no room. If I take it out of the garage and the neutral switch isn't the problem I'm stuck. Very steep driveway and would take three or four guys to get it back up there. Then I'm thinking maybe the starter. I tapped it out with a small hammer hoping maybe the solenoid was stuck, that didn't work. Its not the key chip either. Is there a starter relay switch somewhere inline that could be bad? if so where is it located? It has low mileage 49000, no leaks or any other problems I'm aware of. Been garaged since bought new, only been in the rain a dozen times or so. I would appreciate any suggestions. Chuck.

mtwoolford

from the fsm

Ripe93

Broncotwo...My 93 Ruby did the exact same thing this weekend. Jumped in the car, turned the key to the on position, went to start and EVERYTHING shut off. Completely dead. Interior lights went out, dash went dark. Sat there for a minute in absolute amazement. And 30 seconds later, the interior lights refired and it was back up. Just to return to black with one turn of the key. No crank, just one small click. Tested the battery...100%. MTWoolford, thanks for pg 6-211, I have the fsm. But where does the switch reside in my car? Thanks in advance!

Ripe93

btw.. 68k mi, 6sp., Batt/Alt 1yr old working fine. Only used for coffee runs from Gilroy to Monterey on random Saturday or Sunday mornings.

mtwoolford

try the factory service manual, book one at 8C-29, view B item 7, relay, starter motor (?) , back of, bottom of dash console, next to steering column, outboard side

Klondike

Check your main battery ground on the battery first and the other main ground on the bellhousing on the driver side.(you'll have to get under the car for that one) The battery terminal may look clean, but they can build up a layer of a clear glassy corrosion of some kind where the cable clamps on, and not ground at all. I had the same thing happen on my car and that's what it turned out to be. Wire brushed the post and cable with one of those battery terminal brushes and everything went back to normal.

Cliff Harris

Don't forget that the battery system has TWO cables, a positive and a negative, and each one has TWO ends. All four connections need to be clean and tight for everything to work correctly.

bronctwo

It looks like it's not the neutral safety switch. Im thinking it's something simpler, the battery. It. almost three years old and only gets a few hours run time a week. I found out that I was sold a battery with a considerably lower Cold cranking amp level than the vehichle calls for. I have the LT4 and was sold a batery for an LT1. I didnt know there was a difference, I guess the guy at Advance Auto didnt know either. As long as I give it a full battery charge it starts right up, but only after the charge. Im swapping out the battery this weekend, hoping thats it. One more question if it's ok. Is it normal for a C4 to overheat if it's just sitting? As long as Im moving it's fine but getting stuck in traffic makes the temp gradually get extremely high. Then start driving and cools down? Thanks again, Chuck.

bronctwo

Thanks, I cleaned the upper cable ends, haven't gotten to the lower ones yet. I think I may have a battery issue. I was sold a battery for an LT1 but I have an LT4. I didn't know the LT4 calls for a considerably higher Cold cranking amp level. Plus the battery only gets about an hour run time a week (it's almost 3 years old). It starts fine after giving it a FULL charge but only after a full charge.Changing out this weekend, hope thats it. A question for you if you dont mind. Is it normal for a C4 to overheat? As long as Im moving temp is fine, get stuck in some traffic and up, up it goes. Any ideas on the culprit? I've checked the underside to make sure a plastic bag or something didnt get sucked up; the radiator fins look clean, fluid level is ok... maybe theres a common issue Im not aware of. Thanks for any help, Chuck.