NO START

[vinsZR-1]

Took my Z out today for a 10 mile run.
Turned it off for 15 minutes.
Went to start and it would not crank.
I use a battery tender.
Any suggestions?

90 Z #1966
Red/Red

[Tyler Townsley]

Took my Z out today for a 10 mile run.
Turned it off for 15 minutes.
Went to start and it would not crank.
I use a battery tender.
Any suggestions?

90 Z #1966
Red/Red

Jumper around clutch switch. Pull drivers hush panel find purple wire going to clutch switch and jumper around it. It is a known problem. The switch is not designed to handle the current flow in the 90-91 cars. The design was changed in 92.

Tyler

[Z Factor]

I assume it is not turning over based on your description. So go with the battery basics first. Make sure your connections are tight with no corrosion. Next make sure the battery has enough power. If you have sufficient power it might be the VATS which you can bypass, or what Tyler suggested it is. If it is turning over but not starting then go through the fuel basics.
Let us know how you are progressing so we can help you to figure it out.

:cheers:

[1990 415]

mine did this 2 months ago and my brother's has done the same. it was from the starter getting too hot. one hour later after it cooled off she started right up. Gordon Killebrew gave me a tool to take in the car if it happens when I am away from home. it is a three foot long rod which is used to rap the starter and knock the solenoid loose. if your car starts after it has cooled down, then it is the starter.

[bobbyhi]

Jumper around clutch switch. Pull drivers hush panel find purple wire going to clutch switch and jumper around it. It is a known problem. The switch is not designed to handle the current flow in the 90-91 cars. The design was changed in 92.

Tyler

I have to go with Tyler on this one. Happened on my '90 a couple of years ago and put in a by-pass relay. Got all of the info the Mr.TC Crabs of this forum. Haven't had a problem since. I tried hitting the starter with the bar but that didn' help.

[tccrab]

I have to go with Tyler on this one. Happened on my '90 a couple of years ago and put in a by-pass relay. Got all of the info the Mr.TC Crabs of this forum. Haven't had a problem since. I tried hitting the starter with the bar but that didn' help.

Hiya Bob!
Felt my ears burning, knew my name was being tossed around somewhere...
Hope all is well.

About the Dreaded No Start...
My favorite topic.
:rolleyes:
By all means, do as Tyler suggests, the clutch safety switch is a common problem, a weak link for sure.
But if you jumper it out and it STILL gives you problems, here's what you need to do:
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i159/tccrab/StarterRelayMod-1.jpg
The Purple wire is located in the main wiring loom just behind the ECM. There's plenty of room to tap into it inside the wiring loom.
In a nutshell what you are doing is using the 12v signal from the Purple wire which comes directly from the Ignition Key to activate a relay. This relay when energized engages the starter with power directly from the battery.
You'll never have the Dreaded No Start again.
Everything can be done and hidden underneath the ECM.
Nobody other than a NCRS judge or a LT5 guru will ever be able to tell that you've modified the wiring of your car.
Good luck!!!

TomC
"Crabs"

[vinsZR-1]

Thanks to all who replied
Loose cable connection
:dancing

90 #1966
Red/Red

[pig_iron]

Jumper around clutch switch. Pull drivers hush panel find purple wire going to clutch switch and jumper around it. It is a known problem. The switch is not designed to handle the current flow in the 90-91 cars. The design was changed in 92.

Tyler

How do I "jumper around it"? I've found it but I need more detail on what you mean by "jumping".

[pig_iron]

Uhhhh.... Is it possible for the car to start when the clutch switch is completely unplugged? The plug-in for the switch has been disconnected and the car starts right up... I just don't get this car.

Half the time I need someone to push start it while I pop the clutch from 2nd. The other half it starts fine. I don't understand how it would even work w/ the clutch switch disengaged.

[gbrtng]

Uhhhh.... Is it possible for the car to start when the clutch switch is completely unplugged? The plug-in for the switch has been disconnected and the car starts right up... I just don't get this car.

NO, the clutch switch is a normally open switch which is closed when the clutch pedal is pushed in - closing the circuit from the 'battery' to the starter solenoid. You might be looking at the cruise control switch at the clutch pedal instead. Or somebody has already done a wiring modification to the clutch switch. You need to consult the factory service manual to see what's up.
:dontknow:

[pig_iron]

It is definitely the clutch switch that is unplugged and I suspect that it has already been modified because there is no purple wire going anywhere near the clutch... Just a little plug in to the solenoid with 2 thinner black/gray wires. I unplugged it, depressed the clutch, and it starts. However, if I don't step on the clutch, it doesn't start. Yet, there is absolutely ZERO wiring connected to the clutch switch.

There are alot of cut & trimmed wires underneath here already. I think it's already been modified. I just don't get how it could run without a single wire connected to the clutch switch.

[bobbyhi]

The clutch switch must be by-passed already..................

[gbrtng]

It is definitely the clutch switch that is unplugged and I suspect that it has already been modified because there is no purple wire going anywhere near the clutch... Just a little plug in to the solenoid with 2 thinner black/gray wires. I unplugged it, depressed the clutch, and it starts. However, if I don't step on the clutch, it doesn't start. Yet, there is absolutely ZERO wiring connected to the clutch switch.

There are alot of cut & trimmed wires underneath here already. I think it's already been modified. I just don't get how it could run without a single wire connected to the clutch switch.

It sounds like you have a vehicle that once had an after-market alarm system that has been removed and re-cobbled by yet another caveman. Installed by one too, I'll bet.

Does the clutch cancel the cruise control?

Can you recap any history of this vehicle?

[Pqtaces]

It sounds like you have a vehicle that once had an after-market alarm system that has been removed and re-cobbled by yet another caveman. Installed by one too, I'll bet.

Does the clutch cancel the cruise control?

Can you recap any history of this vehicle?

I had an after-market alarm on the car when I bought it and had the exact same problem. My guy told me we need to rip the thing out. So I took it back to the place that installed it (it is so nice to have all records from the previous/original owner) and had it removed. I haven't had a single problem since.

[pig_iron]

Here is my clutch switch. There is the connector for the cruise control. But I see nowhere where there could possibly be a purple wire attached to it. I disassembled the switch, cleaned all contacts, regreased, made sure the button wasn't sticking, and re-installed. Is this not the standard clutch switch on a 91 ZR1?

I have been running it all day, shutting it off, and restarting with no problems so far. However, I still don't trust it. Could it have been that the button was sticking?

[pig_iron]

It sounds like you have a vehicle that once had an after-market alarm system that has been removed and re-cobbled by yet another caveman. Installed by one too, I'll bet.

Does the clutch cancel the cruise control?

Can you recap any history of this vehicle?

YES. There was an aftermarket alarm installed at one point. It was disabled before I bought it. I have encountered dead end wires wherever I look from the alarm system.

I drove it with the cruise plug disconnected. Obviously, the cruise didn't work. I replugged it...cruise works, clutch cancels it. I just feel as if I'm missing something obvious here where this "purple wire" is supposed to be.

Thanks for all the replies & help so far.

[tomtom72]

I'm looking at the picture you posted. I see the electricial terminals and what looks like a vacuum port? Why would a clutch/starter saftey switch have a vacuum port? Does our clutch switch do double duty for the cruise control system? Is that a vac port or do I need better glasses?

I'm asking because I've never even seen the clutch saftey switch in my 90 and I've changed out three clutch master cylinders....I guess I'm not very observant....:redface:

TIA
:cheers:
Tom

[SillyB]

I just wanted to chime in on a long dead thread to say thank you for helping me solve my DNS problem. Your relay solution took care of it even when a certified GM vette mechanic was stumped (after changing the starter twice, the battery, fuzes...) Now I can trust that I won't get stuck again after showing off my beast at the local cruise spot - that was the worst!