lite blue

Nothing!
I had driven all of twelve miles, and stopped at a body shop. Thirty or forty minutes later, absolutely nothing when I turn the key. No clicks, nothing. The battery is fine, the dash lights up and the headlights were bright.
I'm guessing there is an interlock switch on the clutch pedal, to make sure the clutch is in when you start. Could this be the culprit? Or maybe a fusible link somewhere?
Any help or suggestions are appreciated.

Jeffvette

Clutch safety switch, VATS, Starter.

Take your pick.

Aurora40

It can also be the pass-key. Those little pellets wear down over time, and then don't read very well. If you have a second key, that's worth trying. I think something happens with the security light when it doesn't read the pellet but you try to start it, though I can't remember what (it blinks maybe?)

Edit: That's the VATS Jeff just mentioned (he snuck his post in).

90 Corvette ZR-1

I'd start with the clutch switch

lite blue

Thanks.
Would a starter just completely quit like that, no warning or noises?

Jeffvette

They usually just die.

Check VATS first
Check clutch safety switch (bypass if necessary)
Then check starter.

ZR1Owner

I had the exact same thing happen to me about 3 months ago, on and off for a month. I have a 91. It would start right up with no issues, then I would get somewhere, and it would not do anything!
After a couple of trips to the shop, they determined that the drain near the starter had gotten clogged and the starter was hit or miss. I admit that I am not an expert on why it got clogged in th first place, or even how it could hapen. Cleaned it out and it worked fine.

90 Corvette ZR-1

I'm always leery of just replacing the starter without jumping out the clutch switch.

x-raydave

There is a link to this problem on ZR1.net under ZR1 no starts - I have
same problem, but haven't had time to look into as car is now in winter
hibernation. Good Luck the info there sounds good.

Cdn Z06 Mike

I had this same problem a couple of days ago for the first time ever. I know under my plenum is spotless and I have the clutch mechanism bypassed so I can start the car without the clutch pedal being engaged. Don't know why but I thought maybe it was heat related? I disconnected the battery for a few minutes let the motor cool for a good 10 minutes and she fired right up like usual with no other changes?

DDSLT5

It's a hoser canadian car with automatic lights, so it doesn't bother to start periodically!

ZR1OUS

I had that same problem happen only it was with a motorcycle I had..It turned out to be a dead spot in my starter!, replaced the starter and all was well....I would troubleshoot in the order that the BIG GUYS on here tell you to though.......

Yibbutkeen

I just had this problem - the wires in the ignition cylinder had worn out and broken, so intermittently the VATs would kill the car.

Had the switch replaced and all is well. IF that is the problem you could find the wires at the end of the column and just solder the correct resistor to them, bypassing the system entirely.

Cdn Z06 Mike

....geeze I can't even challenge you to a race on that comment eh? I'm working on getting this stocker a few more ponies Dwight and the DRL will be gone the way of the dodo shortly