Problem starting vette
Frank Ramirez
Two electrical shops could not find the problem with my 89 Corvette.
The car starts great most of the time and runs excellent. However,
occasionally (once or twice a week), I turn the ignition key and nothing
happens. The lights and radio will turn on, but the starter will not
engage. No clicks, no crank, it's like the battery is dead, but the
rest of the car has power.
If anyone has advice or has had a similar problem, I would much
appreciate the help.
David Karagosian
day when your car does not start after you drive it foa awhile let it
sit for 1/2hr then try to restart it.
Dave
G. Gerald Barr
I suspect you are having problems with the Vehicle Anti Theft System (VATS)
The next time this happens do not turn the key more than once. Shut off
the key & wait 4 minutes, no less. Supposedly each time you turn the key on
an unsuccessful start another 4 minutes is added. On my 86 which has this
problem it is only 4 minutes no matter how many times the key is turned. I
have used a stopwatch, however, and anything less than a 4 minute wait and
the car will not start. Try again to start and if the car starts, it is
the VATS and you have found your problem. It seems that one of the main
causes is that the key mechanism does not properly read the resistance of
the key. My dealer claims that keys with a resistance over 13 are more
dependable. I have found this to be a worse problem when the car has been
sitting in the sun with the windows up and the interior is hot. My
inexpensive solution which works reasonably well is to insert the key
carefully and positively and wiggle it around a bit to try and ensure the
resistance reader actually read the key.
Frank Ramirez <keypt...@pplus.best.com> wrote in article
<335D1A...@pplus.best.com>...
Pl932
I had a simular problem with my 82, I found I could start it by jumping it
(even had a new battery). Turns out I needed to replace the
starter...Corvettes run so hot that its not uncommon to cook a few. If
the VATS turns out to be OK try having your starter checked.
Mine only gave me problems after the car warmed up. I could always start
it in the morning with no problems when the engine was cool. After it got
warmend up the only way to start it was to jump it or wait an hour for it
to cool down.
DickerBell
Another item related to VATS/Problem starting Vette: wet keys. An article
appearing in Corvette Fever mentioned a couple had experienced the same
thing while at a Chevy dealership. Somehow the keys had become wet
(raining outside I believe) when they were preparing to leave, and the car
failed to start. The dealer, a Corvette owner himself, dried the keys and
waited about 5 minutes. The car then fired right up.
I've never experienced any problems with my 90 Vette starting so I'm
unable to confirm this procedure. However, the next time I'm admiring the
97 Vette on display I'll ask the question.
Best wishes and always remember, "The Heartbeat last longer and is
stronger than a hoofbeat."
Ted Dickerson
Papillion, NE
dusty trailrider
I have a 93 vette that had problems starting when cold outside and
damp, the problem was the key as everyone has been suggesting.