Car will start if I turn on headlights, otherwise, nothing!

[showman]

Been having a starting problem with my '84. Will start fine when it's cold, then will have intermittent starting problem when warmer.

All gauges are lit up, but no reaction or sound from engine. The other night, I was stuck in a parking lot at night, turned on the headlights and for some
reason decided to turn ignition - boom! Started just fine.

Replaced ICM, cleaned (new) battery connections and other electrical.

Will sometimes turn ignition and here metal click sound from starter, will turn ignition a few more times and will start up. Can't understand the headlight thing,
had to do it three times today and started just fine once headlights on.

Also starts to run rough after a few miles from cold start.

Thanks everyone.

Ken

 

[Hot Rod Roy]

Welcome to the Corvette Action Center!

Please answer these questions:
1. Do you have the Factory Shop Manual (FSM)? If not, get one. You'll learn to appreciate it!
2. Automatic or 4 + 3 trans.? (It makes a difference.)
3. Do you have a volt meter? Check the voltage on the "Crank" fuse when you try to start the engine. It's a 5A fuse, 2nd column, 3rd row.
4. Do your headlights get dim when you try to start the engine?
5. Check the large terminal on your starter where the battery cable is connected. This connection also supplies power to your headlight motors.
6. The "click" you hear from the starter might mean it's time to rebuild your starter solenoid.
7. Since your starter is intermittent, the headlight thing may have nothing to do with the hard starting issue.