YLO Z06

Got into the car this AM to go to work and turned the key. Got a "click" and no start :mad . I have not seen the usual "SYS" in the LCD to indicate a bad battery. If not the battery, what else could it be -- starter? alternator? I think I'll swap out the battery first and then go from there if that doesn't fix it. I just replaced the battery about 8 months ago, too. I love these cars... :boxing :seeya

bogus

sounds like the starter...

if the volts are above 11, the engine should start.

Flame Red

Usually a dead battery, cell shorted, etc. Clicking is a definate indicator. Clean your connections too. Two weekends ago mine would not start. Turned out to be the connections. So dead cells - 3, corroded connections 1.

jfb

Measure the battery terminal volts when you hit the starter, it should not fall below 9.0 volts or the battery or connections are suspect. If I were you, I would remove and clean the battery cables and reconnect them and charge the battery. You can attempt a start after charging for an hour, but I would charge the battery for three full days. If you let the battery sit for several months without charging it, then I would be uncomfortable using it because the plates will be sulfated and you have at best a lower amphour capacity battery now.

DougSilver

Here is one other thing to consider--the shifter interlock (or whatever it is called). Sometimes I try to start the car and just get a click--then I jiggle the shifter (I have an automatic) and the car starts right up. I figure that sometimes the built-in switch is not making good contact. Unfortunately, I forgot to report this quirk during my final servicing of the car (while it was still under warranty).

Mark85Vett

Nice easy test...
Turn headlights on. Try to start car. if headlights go dim, it's the battery (or connections). If lights stay the same, it's the starter (or connections).
Good luck!

BAdAzZV8

I'd say battery, if it only clicks.

Ruby_Roadster

Had the same problem, started with having to turn it on & off a few time before she would crank - turned out to be the starter soleniod, starter rebuilt and it's ok now.

yoslambo1@cs.com

check you ground. :yesnod:

BrianCunningham

Another vote for the starter.
I've got a dead spot on on mine
"click" "click" "start" :crazy:

Keep trying, if it eventually starts, then that's your culprit.

BTW from the dealer they're $289
the best price I've seen is $140 from GMpartsdirect.com plus another $20 to ship it.

YLO Z06

Well, it wasn't the battery. No difference with a new battery installed, so off to the dealer on a flat bed! I'll bet it's the starter solenoid -- I should find out by lunch time. Oh well, 88,000 miles on the original starter, I guess that's pretty good.

DougSilver

Life is funny. I posted above how I was able to get the car started by jiggling the shifter. This used to be only an occasional problem but the last few days, I would have to do this every time I started the car after it sat for a while. This morning the car would not start even when jiggling the shifter. Finally got it started and over to the dealer. Their diagnosis was that I needed a new starter. Apparently my being able to get the car to start had nothing to do with the jiggling--instead it was similar to another poster above (just trying several times to start). Cost for new starter from dealer is $440 parts and labor (ouch!). The "good news" is that they guarantee the starter for life.

The real kick-in-the-butt is that I noticed this problem prior to the time my extended warranty lapsed but stooopidly never mentioned it to the dealer(since it was so infrequent). Probably could have gotten this thing taken care of for free!

GlockLT4

aww.. a starter is easy to swap out :yesnod: :yesnod: You still have a warranty on it or something?

Sharky Guam

9 times out of 10 it is the starter. With time, the brushes get worn and the solenoid contacts get pitted and worn. It is an easy fix and starters these days for a sb chevy are cheap. I keep one or two handy at home for a spare. Whever one gets to have a slight problem, it gets changed. The same goes with the battery. There is nothing like being stranded. That is something that I do not enjoy. And neither does the wife. :chevy

YLO Z06

Glock,

I thought it would be an easy do-it-yourself fix, but 3 things got in the way:

1) I jacked the car up, crawled underneath, and couldn't figure out how to get the starter out from above the cat! I could barely see the screws, let alone gat a ratchet in there.

2) I am not allowed to work on my car at my apartment complex. The office lady came out and bitched me out for working on my car! I had it up on jacks for like 5 minutes before I was busted.

3) I can't afford to take off work this week to fix it myself.

It's really #2 that killed the whole deal. I HAD to tow it somewhere, so might as well be to the dealer to fix it. But how do you get to the starter anyway? It looks like it is buried above the cat.

GlockLT4

Aw, that sucks. I hate apartment complex rules. I never have understood why you're not allowed to work on a car in your own parking space :( .

Oh My

"aww.. a starter is easy to swap out"

Unless you have longtube headers, and the big momma "old style" starter. :p: :)

YLO Z06

Well, heard back from the dealer. Bad starter motor. But get this -- the starter is only costing me $106 :D :chevy . The total bill will be around $300, plus another $70 for the tow. Looks like my rear wheel bearings will have to wait another month, again... :smash:

bogus

do you have towing insurance???

glad it is coming out ok!

DougSilver

Hey 94Vette--how did you get the starter for $106?? I just picked up my car from the dealer and the part plus labor was about $440 (the part alone was between $200 and $300--bill not in front of me now).