Help! 99 corvette won't start

[Corvette Gal]

I was driving my 99 corvette today and it died once while coming to a stop, started back up but when I got to my destination, went in for about 15 min. and then tried to start it to leave, it wouldn't start. It sounds like it's going to start, but don't quite make it. It almost sounds like it is flooded, but you don't smell gasoline. I don't see any codes or any of the gages moving. It don't sound like the battery either.

I'm thinking it might be an electrical problem because a couple of weeks ago I had problems with the lights coming up on their own. They went back to normal, then this. The only thing that showed up was the Service Engine Soon indicator, which I had the dealership try to figure out before and they came up with nothing. Somehow all of this must be related to the same issue, I'm thinking.
I had to leave the car in the parking lot until I can try it tomorrow. This is not an everyday car and it has about 78000 miles on it.

Any ideas???

 

[Hib Halverson]

If you turn the key on but don't try to start, do you hear the fuel pump run for 2 sec. or so then shut off?

 

[Corvette Gal]

I'm not sure as it was a noisy parking lot, but I don't think so. I had to leave it in the parking lot overnight but will check it out tomorrow. Are you thinking fuel pump? That did cross my mind.

 

[Huskerman]

Sounds like it could be fuel related. When the ck engine lite came on it had to throw a code I'm thinking, did the dealer say what it was?

 

[Corvette Gal]

He told me it was an emissions sensor and that it was causing my car to run rough. I got it out on the freeway and really got on it and the rough idle he was talking about went away and so did the light. However the light came on about 3 tanks of gasoline later. I then thought it was the gasloline causing it because if I filled up at the same place it ran fine but if I changed up it ran rough again.

 

[Hib Halverson]

Fortunately, C5s have an on-board display feature for fault codes stored in any of the car's computers which send data.

I can't remember the exact procedure and I'm not where all my service data is located so I can get it out of the Factory Service Manual, but you access fault codes by pushing a sequence on the DIC buttons.

I'm sure you can find the procedure elsewhere on this site.

Use that to get all the fault codes which are set and post the info.

As for the fuel pump, once you get the car where it's more quiet, if you don't hear the pump run for a couple of seconds after you turn the key to on, I'd run the fuel pressure tests listed in the Service Manual.

 

[Corvette Gal]

We went to pick up the car and it started right off. Drove it back the 25 or so miles and brought it to the dealership to see what they say. It died twice on the way back, but both times started right off. There was a message of reduced engine power came on and the traction control message came on too. We will see what they say.

 

[Huskerman]

Keep us posted........I hope it is a fuel related issue.......I hope it is not something like a BCM......Body Control Module......they can do wierd things when they start to go....

 

[Toms007]

I agree with Huskerman. Hoping for the best. H-man, looks like you got it!

 

[warren s]

I am thinking / hoping its something as simple as a bad grounding point under the hood. I dont think a fuel issue would cause a traction control error message.

Lets see how it turns out...

 

[Huskerman]

I agree with Huskerman. Hoping for the best. H-man, looks like you got it!

Ya.....took me awhile......I sent the email to photobucket and then copied it and put it where I thought it should go and just like magic....I sent you another that was darker but I think I will stay with this........Thanks so much for the help..........marcus

 

[Corvette Gal]

ok, the technican called with an update. He said that the codes from the car indicate a problem with the throttle body. The problem is it is intermittent so they are still checking it out. Anyone else had problems with the throttle body?

 

[warren s]

No, never had a problem with the TB.

It does have an electric component in it to actually open and close the throttle blade. I would imagine the check engine light would be on and the code would be set.

 

[Huskerman]

ok, the technican called with an update. He said that the codes from the car indicate a problem with the throttle body. The problem is it is intermittent so they are still checking it out. Anyone else had problems with the throttle body?

Do you think you can get the codes? If you can and he should be happy to tell you, you can post them and then we can see what's going on..........

 

[Corvette Gal]

My husband called this afternoon, they told him they think the battery is bad....(I don't think so..but the paperwork for the battery is in the car) We are going up there to talk to them in person tomorrow.

We will probably bring it to another place in Houston called Vette Tech that was recommended to us. We'll see. I'm not convinced the tech's at this place know a lot about vettes!!

 

[Toms007]

Well Corvettegal, I would not completely discount the diagnosis. These cars are very dependent on the electrical system to operate properly. If the electrical system is weak (such as a weak/bad battery) it can cause all sorts of problems that are seemingly unrelated.

 

[Corvette Gal]

Well the battery was bad, we got a new one and brought it back to the dealership, but have to wait until Monday when the Tech returns to see if this is the fix or if something more could be wrong. I'll keep ya'll posted.

 

[Corvette Gal]

We picked up the car!!! The final diagnosis was the battery had some dead cells and the ignition switch was bad. Both were changed so we'll test it out today as it is a beautiful day in Houston!

 

[Huskerman]

I'm thinking that would cause the problems you were having....good luck with it!

 

[Toms007]

Well, I'm hoping for the best here. As I said earlier these cars are extremely sensitive to electrical issues. And weak electrical system can cause weird things.