Starting issue? - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

4CamJon · 05-23-2017

Yesterday morning after a stop for breakfast, my car wouldn't start. It had power and acted like the safety switch on the clutch was not working. After multiple key cycles and locking and unlocking the doors it still would not start. We were able to get a ride home and then went back to try again. I used the spare set of keys and the car fired right up. Is it possible that I have a bad VATS key? I was also able to start the car with the primary set of keys.
Any help or suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks,
Jon

P.S. I haven't tried to start the car since I brought it home yesterday.

KFoster · 05-23-2017

Crank it and drive it around close to home until it is good and hot. Turn it off. See if it cranks back up. If no, let cool and try with same set of keys. If it cranks cold, remove intake and fix starter solenoid. At least that's what I'm doing now.

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GOLDCYLON · 05-23-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4CamJon

Yesterday morning after a stop for breakfast, my car wouldn't start. It had power and acted like the safety switch on the clutch was not working. After multiple key cycles and locking and unlocking the doors it still would not start. We were able to get a ride home and then went back to try again. I used the spare set of keys and the car fired right up. Is it possible that I have a bad VATS key? I was also able to start the car with the primary set of keys.
Any help or suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks,
Jon

P.S. I haven't tried to start the car since I brought it home yesterday.

Jon that's possible but normally a security light will flash if it is a VATs issue. The primary key resister may indeed be worn. I would take a run around the hood and get the car hot with the second key then shut it off. If it does not start like before it maybe time to apply the clutch bypass mod to avoid being stranded. However it still may indeed be a solenoid issue in the starter.

Dynomite · 05-23-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4CamJon

Yesterday morning after a stop for breakfast, my car wouldn't start. It had power and acted like the safety switch on the clutch was not working. After multiple key cycles and locking and unlocking the doors it still would not start. We were able to get a ride home and then went back to try again. I used the spare set of keys and the car fired right up. Is it possible that I have a bad VATS key? I was also able to start the car with the primary set of keys.
Any help or suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks,
Jon

P.S. I haven't tried to start the car since I brought it home yesterday.

The ZR-1 is very easy to start in 2nd gear with a simple hand push start....just turn the key on and have a couple guys give you a hand push

lfalzarano · 05-24-2017

Most likely you didn't keep the clutch in all the way before turning the ignition key. The VAT kicked in and disabled the starter. Wait 10-15 before properly starting your Z again. I got burned many times before I read about this is the Forum...

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Kevin · 05-24-2017

when mine did this it was the clutch switch, jumpered that out and it worked ever since

jcruz · 05-24-2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by lfalzarano

Most likely you didn't keep the clutch in all the way before turning the ignition key. The VAT kicked in and disabled the starter. Wait 10-15 before properly starting your Z again. I got burned many times before I read about this is the Forum...

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This is useful to know! Once or twice I've had my floor mat scrunch up under the clutch so it wouldn't depress far enough.

Thanks,

John

Paul Workman · 05-31-2017

Here is Marc Haibeck's article on starting issues, every new Z owner should read!

FYI, you can measure the resistance across the "pill" in your ignition key and compare it to the chart (below). From that, and your ignition key, a locksmith will be able to cut you a new key with the proper resistor chip.

TealZR1 · 06-01-2017

Exact same issue happened to me about a month ago - starter would not start from time to time and after it sat for a few hours it started up! Turned out under the plenum an oil gasket went bad sending oil into the starter which is located by the firewall. After to oil dried up it would start but ended up replacing the starter and gasket to fix the problem. Hope that helps...

XfireZ51 · 06-01-2017

Speaking of "starting" issues, has anyone encountered the situation where the starter operates but the Bendix sounds as if there is a missing flywheel tooth?
It will happen once, maybe twice in succession. Let sit for a few moments and then it engages. I have also rocked the car a couple of times and the flywheel is engaged.
Comments?

05-23-2017	#1
4CamJon Join Date: May 2014 Location: Plymouth, MN Posts: 62	Starting issue? Yesterday morning after a stop for breakfast, my car wouldn't start. It had power and acted like the safety switch on the clutch was not working. After multiple key cycles and locking and unlocking the doors it still would not start. We were able to get a ride home and then went back to try again. I used the spare set of keys and the car fired right up. Is it possible that I have a bad VATS key? I was also able to start the car with the primary set of keys. Any help or suggestions would be helpful. Thanks, Jon P.S. I haven't tried to start the car since I brought it home yesterday.

05-23-2017	#2
KFoster Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Decatur, AL Posts: 93	Re: Starting issue? Crank it and drive it around close to home until it is good and hot. Turn it off. See if it cranks back up. If no, let cool and try with same set of keys. If it cranks cold, remove intake and fix starter solenoid. At least that's what I'm doing now. Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry __________________ 1990 ZR1, 1987 Mustang GT (since new), 1973 DeTomaso Pantera, 1987 928S4 Passed on: 1984 930S (gray market), 1988 Mustang Coupe Trooper car(drag)

05-24-2017	#5
lfalzarano Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Clayton, North Carolina Posts: 1,133	Re: Starting issue? Most likely you didn't keep the clutch in all the way before turning the ignition key. The VAT kicked in and disabled the starter. Wait 10-15 before properly starting your Z again. I got burned many times before I read about this is the Forum... Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry __________________ Lou[COLOR="Red"][B][SIZE="4"][/SIZE][/B][/COLOR]

05-24-2017	#6
Kevin Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: pittsburgh Posts: 4,633	Re: Starting issue? when mine did this it was the clutch switch, jumpered that out and it worked ever since __________________ It's not the car, it's the people - Doug Johnson 90 r/r "KEYS ON" nick named "T.L.B"

05-31-2017	#8
Paul Workman Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Squires (near Ava MO in the Mark Twain N'tl Forest) - Missouri Posts: 6,493	Re: Starting issue? Here is Marc Haibeck's article on starting issues, every new Z owner should read! FYI, you can measure the resistance across the "pill" in your ignition key and compare it to the chart (below). From that, and your ignition key, a locksmith will be able to cut you a new key with the proper resistor chip. __________________ Good carz, good food, good friendz = the best of timez! 90 #1202 "FBI" top end ported & relieved Cam timing by "Pete the Greek" Sans secondaries Chip & dyno tuning by Haibeck Automotive SW headers, X-pipe, MF muffs Former Secretary, ZR-1 Net Registry Last edited by Paul Workman; 05-31-2017 at 09:41 AM.

06-01-2017	#9
TealZR1 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 51	Re: Starting issue? Exact same issue happened to me about a month ago - starter would not start from time to time and after it sat for a few hours it started up! Turned out under the plenum an oil gasket went bad sending oil into the starter which is located by the firewall. After to oil dried up it would start but ended up replacing the starter and gasket to fix the problem. Hope that helps...

06-01-2017	#10
XfireZ51 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chicagoland, IL Posts: 9,678	Re: Starting issue? Speaking of "starting" issues, has anyone encountered the situation where the starter operates but the Bendix sounds as if there is a missing flywheel tooth? It will happen once, maybe twice in succession. Let sit for a few moments and then it engages. I have also rocked the car a couple of times and the flywheel is engaged. Comments? __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Former Membership Chairman Former ZR-1 Registry - BOD 1972 Corvette 4speed base Coupe SOLD long time ago 1984 Corvette Z-51/4+3 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Aqua/Gray #474 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Black Rose/Cognac #458 2014 Honda VFR Interceptor DX