Help! 98 corvette ignition problem

[ronp1943@q.com]

sometimes when I try to start the car it seems to short the systems, after several trys it starts and I don't have the problem again for a while, it has done this three times now. Is this the ignition switch?
Thanks Ron

 

[LLC5]

Need more information. What exactly does not work when the problem is active?

 

[dadaroo]

Have you bothered to pull your codes?

Short and not work are two different things. I also need clarification.

You provide no detail on whether the starter engages and turns, etc.

 

[ronp1943@q.com]

Need more information. What exactly does not work when the problem is active?

When I try to start the car all electrical functions, lights, etc go out when I release the starter switch everything comes back on. nothing happens when I turn to start. It has started all day today???

 

[ronp1943@q.com]

Have you bothered to pull your codes?

Short and not work are two different things. I also need clarification.

You provide no detail on whether the starter engages and turns, etc.

There are no current codes, I checked and all were h. when I turn the switch to start, the whole system, lights, all electrical goes out. release the switch, and they all come back on, several trys and it starts???

 

[LLC5]

When I try to start the car all electrical functions, lights, etc go out when I release the starter switch everything comes back on. nothing happens when I turn to start. It has started all day today???

If I understand you correctly when you turn the ignition switch to "on" position you have no accessories, that does sound like an ignition switch. Try this test, turn the ignition switch only to the "on" position and when the accessories do not work (turn them all on so you can verify the problem) try wiggling the key left and right slowly and see if the accessories work in between "off and on" and "on and crank". If they do in either direction or both then it is a bad electrical portion of the ignition switch, and removing the switch and replacing just the electrical part should fix it. Good luck with it.

 

[dadaroo]

There are no current codes, I checked and all were h. when I turn the switch to start, the whole system, lights, all electrical goes out. release the switch, and they all come back on, several trys and it starts???

Unless you pull the codes while the engine is running, they will all show H. You say this problem does not happen each time so why are you dismissing H codes? You could have U communication issues in there.

Mind you it does seem like it might be the ignition switch but also what is the voltage/condition of the battery? You need a good charged battery with at least 12.5 volts measured at the battery.

How old is the starter? Could be some kind of short going on in there that draws current while starting.

Here is a link by the GREAT Bill Curlee to help see if the ignition switch is the problem. He is the Guru in this area.



Corvette Forum - View Single Post - C5 Ignition Switch Repair

 

[Hib Halverson]

If you turn the key to on and you see the normal lights and other electrical functions take place (such as the radio works, headlights come on when you turn them on and etc) but then, when you move the key to start and everything goes dead, the first thing I'd check is battery connections and condition.

Inspect the connections at the battery and at the other ends of the two cables then have the battery tested.

Report back with the results.

 

[ronp1943@q.com]

If you turn the key to on and you see the normal lights and other electrical functions take place (such as the radio works, headlights come on when you turn them on and etc) but then, when you move the key to start and everything goes dead, the first thing I'd check is battery connections and condition.

Inspect the connections at the battery and at the other ends of the two cables then have the battery tested.

Report back with the results.

battery is new and connections are clean and tight.