C5 No Start/Intermittent Starting Problems

[caseyk]

I have a 2000 coupe,I experinced a problem starting the car yesterday.I went into a store came right back out ,I put the key in and turned it and nothing happenend.The dash lights came on and everything.I tried for a second time and it started.Later that evening I had to move my car out of the garage and I tried for about 10 minutes to get it started,I did find that my neg. battery cable was slighty loose,I tightend it and after about 4 more trys it started.Also ,is the steering wheel supposed to lock when the car is off and no key in the ignition? Mine is not locking not sure if this is a problem or not. I drove my car to work this morning and it cranked every time! This is my first Corvette and I am learning as I go.I have a lot of mechanic experience and do most of my own work,I worked for a few different chevrolet dealerships in my area so I am familiar with GM cars.I am just not very experinced with some of the issues that are specific to this year model corvette.Any help on this is greatly appreciated.

 

[MsSchroder]

caseyk,
Are you getting any messages in the Driver Info Center (on the dash) to the the tune of "pull key wait 10 seconds"?
How old is the battery? Premature battery failures are typical of many years of C5's. Hopefully someone will come along with more suggestions about the non-cranking issue.

The non-locking of the column could be due to a previous owner having taken the car in for one of the several column lock recalls. Depending on whether your car is automatic or manual, and depending on which recall was performed, it is probable that because of the recall work, you would no longer have the column lock feature at all anymore. Do you know the history of the car (service record, etc)?

Tammy

 

[caseyk]

caseyk,
Are you getting any messages in the Driver Info Center (on the dash) to the the tune of "pull key wait 10 seconds"?
How old is the battery? Premature battery failures are typical of many years of C5's. Hopefully someone will come along with more suggestions about the non-cranking issue.

The non-locking of the column could be due to a previous owner having taken the car in for one of the several column lock recalls. Depending on whether your car is automatic or manual, and depending on which recall was performed, it is probable that because of the recall work, you would no longer have the column lock feature at all anymore. Do you know the history of the car (service record, etc)?

Tammy

I am not receiving any messages on the DIC. I bought the car second hand with 32,000 miles on it last December.It is an automatic.I am going to call a friend at one of our local Chevrolet dealers and give him the VIN# and have him look it up to see if the recall has been done on this car or not.The battery looks realitivley new.It is a BOSCH battery.I plan on putting a Sealed Optima battery in it soon. Anyway,I have driven it all day and it hasn't acted up not one time.I did find a checklist of things on the internet to check out,and it talks a lot about the ground connections on the car.It tells you how to take apart the ground connnectors and clean them,so I am going to try that and check some fuses.It also mentions that the starter cables will become loose and corrosion will build up;I will check that out as well.It is very nerver racking to get in the car and hope it starts.Like I said it is very intermittent. Thank you for the feedback !

 

[TODD L GRIFFITH]

I have had this problem before. If you have your spare key, try using that, or try cleaning the key you are using. The key's pellet resistor needs to be clean and make complete contact with either side of the contacts inside the ignition. Once the VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System) sees a particular ohm reading from the key's pellet, it should start. These ignitions tend to get loose and wear out where the pellet doesn't make complete contact across the key's pellet resistor inside the ignition and will not start. The symptom seems like a bad battery, so beware. A new ignition cylinder costs around $100.00 at the dealer if you order one without installation.
Column lock- It is supposed to unlock when you put your key in or lock when you pull your key out for sure. Everything to do with the keys, the VATS and the column lock it routed through the BMS located it the passenger side footwell. I suspect it is a worn ignition cylinder that causes the BMS not to know whether you have the key in or out affecting the use of the column lock. I would get a column lock bypass as soon as possible. $40.00. It should be installed on a working column lock only just to avoid any problems down the road to clear up that issue. For the keys, if you want to know how to bypass the VATS, PM me and I will give you complete instructions how to do it and you won't be stranded in the meantime until you get it to the dealer. It's easy and not a permanent modification, so can be undone easily.

 

[kevpull]

Ingnition switch cylinders

I have had this problem before. If you have your spare key, try using that, or try cleaning the key you are using. The key's pellet resistor needs to be clean and make complete contact with either side of the contacts inside the ignition. Once the VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System) sees a particular ohm reading from the key's pellet, it should start. These ignitions tend to get loose and wear out where the pellet doesn't make complete contact across the key's pellet resistor inside the ignition and will not start. The symptom seems like a bad battery, so beware. A new ignition cylinder costs around $100.00 at the dealer if you order one without installation.
Column lock- It is supposed to unlock when you put your key in or lock when you pull your key out for sure. Everything to do with the keys, the VATS and the column lock it routed through the BMS located it the passenger side footwell. I suspect it is a worn ignition cylinder that causes the BMS not to know whether you have the key in or out affecting the use of the column lock. I would get a column lock bypass as soon as possible. $40.00. It should be installed on a working column lock only just to avoid any problems down the road to clear up that issue. For the keys, if you want to know how to bypass the VATS, PM me and I will give you complete instructions how to do it and you won't be stranded in the meantime until you get it to the dealer. It's easy and not a permanent modification, so can be undone easily.

I agree with Todd. I Had this problem and bypassed my ignition cylinder with the appropriate resistance. (Bought $2.00 resistor from Radio shack). And the car starts fine. Will eventually replace the cylinder but I am happy for now. This job is easy takes 20 to 30 min.

 

[TODD L GRIFFITH]

I agree with Todd. I Had this problem and bypassed my ignition cylinder with the appropriate resistance. (Bought $2.00 resistor from Radio shack). And the car starts fine. Will eventually replace the cylinder but I am happy for now. This job is easy takes 20 to 30 min.

Yes, exactly. I rode around like that for a long time. :L