Well, on our first morning Maggi drove me to coffee in the "new" ZR1. When we got back in it wouldn't start.
It wouldn't even make the noise of the starter solonoid clicking, although there was another click from the rear, I think. The battery was good, and I am sure the clutch was depressed to the floor. In fact, I almost pushed the clutch through the floorboard.
Then I put it on a battery charger, but the battery seemed good, and took very little charge. Maggi went home and I stayed for another "Latte."
After about 10 minutes I pulled the charger off and the car started right up. I just don't believe it was the battery. Here at home it still shows 12.6 volts after sitting the same amount of time as at the coffee shop. Maybe it is the clutch/starter lock out switch? But I really don't have a clue.
Does this sound like any kind of familiar problem? :confused:
Yup... sounds like bad starter, but don't change the starter out before checking the easier stuff first. There are a ton of threads on here about no-start issues. The typical problems are; bad clutch switch, VATS system error and then bad starter. My problem a couple of years ago was the starter, which ater getting the plenum off, I think was just a loose connection since the nut holding the positive cable was barely finger tight. I replaced the starter anyway to be on the safe side. I suspect yours is starter because it didn't start when the engine was hot but did after it cooled down a bit. Electrical resistance is much higher on a hot starter and therefore you have problems then. Not unique to ZR-1 but perhaps more common because of the starter location in the hot engine valley. The clutch safty swith can be jumpered to test that (see old threads) and someone else can comment on the VATS issue... something to do with the Security light flashing or staying on, can't remember for sure.
Good luck; FYI, I got a new starter off ebay for $150.
It could be the anit theft thing. If it happens again, wait about 15 minutes, if the car starts, then you may have a bad chip in you Key, Try your other key if you have one. Or just try cleaning your key, could be just dirty. I always go for the simple things first. :thumbs:
4 things that usually cause this. The battery (but you checked it) so not the case here, heat soaked starter (dont think you drove far enough to get it that hot unless you drive real far for coffee :) ), clutch switch (this is a possibility that it is shorting or something), and my favorite of them all the dreaded VATS. If you cannot start your car and can go back to it in 10-15 minutes and it starts, it can be the VATS. 1 of the problems with my past vette, this one hasn't stranded me yet.
Need to look at the Security light. When you turn the ignition on, (don't start the engine), the security light should go on then off.
If the light stays on, most likely the key pellet on the key is not being read properly by the VATS decoder which is part of the Central Control module. This will disable the starter.
Could be a worn key pellet, dirty key pellet or worn out contacts in the ignition key cylinder. Try another key or clean the key pellet with alcohol.
If the Security light does go off and the starter doesn't engage, it could be the clutch switch, ignition switch which is located on top of the steering column shaft, wiring to the starter, the starter or the starter enable relay.
The starter is located under the engine plenum. Is it possible the prior owner washed the engine and the valley is full of water?
The most common problem is the key cylinder contacts being worn out.
If you drop the panel under the dash driverside, you'll see a two pin wiring harness that comes from the ignition key cylinder. You can unplug the harness and use a resistor close to the value of the key pellet and bridge it across the connector going to the VATS decoder module. That will eliminate the ignition key pellet and the ignition key cylinder.
You can take the key to Radio Shack and have them measure the key pellet resistance, and purchase a resistor close to the same value +-5 percent.
To eliminate a Clutch Safety switch problem and to get the car home, you can do a Fred Flintstone and try push starting the car. You push and your wife can pop the clutch. :D
Location: This city NEVER sleeps! Frank's back yard!
Re: New ZR1 won't start!! (Hooked on Vettes)
Everything in the previous threads are true,and very informative - BUT - there is a simpler answer. Your battery is dead. Yes, I know you insist is isn't - but look at the facts: Car wouldn't start, you charged the battery, car started. Sometimes it is just that simple.
What you must appreciate is that the ZR-1 demands a full charge to energize the starter solenoid. If the battery is even a tiny bit down, then she won't start. My brother had the exact same thing happen - just took delivery of a Jeal 368 - we drove it 9 hours home. Started, and moved it around the garage a few times, and drove it a few times. When the time came to change the oil, he started it, and let it idle for about 20 minutes to bring the oil up to temperature - but when he shut it down, it would not start - no how, no way!! I was prepared to check everything in the above thread, but then I thought about many other wise owners who said that if the battery was replaced with a lower CA version, it might not energize the solenoid. So I threw the charger on a deep cycle charge, and let it trickle charge for 3 hours while I changed the oil. Once the oil was changed, I took the charger off, and she started right up on the first try. I'm not sure why it did this, but it hasn't given problems since, so I don't think it is the battery (which is a brand new AC delco unit of proper capacity).
So put the charger on a trickle charge, and that may solve the problem.
I had the same problem with my 90 ZR when I got it a few months ago. The car had a new battery put in when I got the car, had sat most of the time in a museum for 12 years. A charge was put on the battery, everything was great, good starts for a few weeks, then nothing. I checked the forums and read about needing to have a full charge to get the starter to energize. I got another battery, zoom zoom! No problems since. Plus, the battery is the easiest place to start. Good Luck!!
Well Ill tell you my ZR-1 has dont this more than once and its the Vats on mine because when I turn the key the security light on the dash starts blinking!
I have 2 brand new keys now and it has not happend since.
Location: This city NEVER sleeps! Frank's back yard!
Re: New ZR1 won't start!! (phrogs)
Yes - if the security light is blinking, VATS is enabled, and you must solve this problem. That is definitely the first step: check for a blinking security light!! :cheers:
Thanks everyone. I have determined that it is in all probability the VATS. My wife definitely remembers the security light being on during the start attempt. I have cleaned the keys and am looking for something to clean the keyway in the ignition. Maybe a folded business card with a slight amout of alcohol soakes in.
ZR1 joins my growing Corvette family.
67' 427 Roadster, bought new. :D
01' Z06, neglected for the past few days :cry
91 ZR1, 10500 miles, saved for me by first owner, who took $42,000 depreciation hit! :lol: :lol:
Corvette Store
New ZR1 won't start!!
