Help-no start - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

RJC061500 · 06-19-2009

Last weekend I replaced the injectors, adjusted one throttle blade, put in a rebuilt starter, and fixed all vacuum the leaks. Car ran better then the day I bought it. Took the car out today for a three mile drive. When I returned to the car an hour and a half later, I turned the key and nothing. The security light was blinking like it should and I was able to push start the car in second gear. Had a no start once before after the car sat at idle for an hour in the driveway and I was able push start it. When I attempted to start later she turned right over. I thought it was a heat issue so I had the starter rebuilt when I had the plenum pulled for the injector swap. I hope someone has some suggestions, I love the car but I'm getting frustrated. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

tccrab · 06-19-2009

Oh, the joy of the DREADED NO START.

This is actually one of my favorite topics.
<rubs hands together; laughs insanely>

Click Here:
http://www.zr1netregistry.com/forum/...5988#post55988

I did this mod to my '90 going on 3 years ago and I've NEVER had another DNS.

TomC
"Crabs"

Sgreg · 06-19-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJC061500

Last weekend I replaced the injectors, adjusted one throttle blade, put in a rebuilt starter, and fixed all vacuum the leaks. Car ran better then the day I bought it. Took the car out today for a three mile drive. When I returned to the car an hour and a half later, I turned the key and nothing. The security light was blinking like it should and I was able to push start the car in second gear. Had a no start once before after the car sat at idle for an hour in the driveway and I was able push start it. When I attempted to start later she turned right over. I thought it was a heat issue so I had the starter rebuilt when I had the plenum pulled for the injector swap. I hope someone has some suggestions, I love the car but I'm getting frustrated. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

I always take a look at the clutch switch and voltage situation first. Got to have a fully charged battery with these beasts. Battery tender is a must with cars driven infrequently. Clutch switch is a weak link and can keep a car from turning over. It can be replaced or by-passed. Good luck.

RJC061500 · 06-20-2009

Tom,
Thank you for responding to my post. When I first checked your post, you commented about a yellow wire under the passenger side dash and listed three links. You later edited the post and listed one link. Do I cut the purple wire and add the relay? Or is there another wire I use that goes to the starter. Also I assume this can all be done under the ECM so the plenum does not have to be removed. Again thanks in advance for any assistance.

Ray C.

tccrab · 06-21-2009

Ray:

After I had read through my original post I edited out multiple copies of pretty much the same thing. I also tried to clarify things a little.
When I first did my DNS starter relay mod, I wanted to take the "Start" 12v signal from as close as the key as possible, so I found the easiest place to splice into that under the passenger dash and ran a wire out to the ECM area. It's not necessary to do that. You have everything you need right at the ECM.
Remove the negative battery cable.
Unplug and remove the ECM.
Open the main wiring loom and find the purple wire.
Run a hot and ground directly from the battery using appropriate wire.
Install the relay using these 4 wires, the hot and ground from the battery, and both ends of the purple wire.
Tidy up your installation, wirelooms and zip ties are your friends.
Reinstall the ECM and tuck all the evidence under the ECM.
There you have it, no more Dreaded No Start.

Disclaimer as follows:
Hacking into your wiring loom isn't and shouldn't be the first thing that you do. There are lots of other things to diagnose/fix/try before you go permanently modifiying your wiring harness.
In no particular order:
- Learn about VATS, see if anything is amiss there.
- Temporarily bypass and/or replace the clutch safety switch.
- Replace the starter relay.
- Check ignition switch.
- Replace battery.
- Check all starter connections and/or replace starter

Some good info here:
http://www.zr1netregistry.com/ZR1_tr...ting.htm#Start
http://www.zr1netregistry.com/forum/...0&postcount=16

Good luck and sorry for the confusion.

TomC
"Crabs"

bldavis11 · 06-21-2009

Ray,
Welcome to the forum! Tom's right on the money with this one. Take the time for the mod and you'll be good to go.

06-19-2009	#1
RJC061500 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 4	Help-no start Last weekend I replaced the injectors, adjusted one throttle blade, put in a rebuilt starter, and fixed all vacuum the leaks. Car ran better then the day I bought it. Took the car out today for a three mile drive. When I returned to the car an hour and a half later, I turned the key and nothing. The security light was blinking like it should and I was able to push start the car in second gear. Had a no start once before after the car sat at idle for an hour in the driveway and I was able push start it. When I attempted to start later she turned right over. I thought it was a heat issue so I had the starter rebuilt when I had the plenum pulled for the injector swap. I hope someone has some suggestions, I love the car but I'm getting frustrated. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

06-19-2009	#2
tccrab Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Folsom CA Posts: 1,655	Re: Help-no start Oh, the joy of the DREADED NO START. This is actually one of my favorite topics. <rubs hands together; laughs insanely> Click Here: http://www.zr1netregistry.com/forum/...5988#post55988 I did this mod to my '90 going on 3 years ago and I've NEVER had another DNS. TomC "Crabs" __________________ TomC '90ZR1 #792 Honorary Pirate [B]If it ain't FUN, you're doing something terribly WRONG. [/B] Last edited by tccrab; 06-19-2009 at 06:45 PM.

06-20-2009	#4
RJC061500 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 4	Re: Help-no start Tom, Thank you for responding to my post. When I first checked your post, you commented about a yellow wire under the passenger side dash and listed three links. You later edited the post and listed one link. Do I cut the purple wire and add the relay? Or is there another wire I use that goes to the starter. Also I assume this can all be done under the ECM so the plenum does not have to be removed. Again thanks in advance for any assistance. Ray C.

06-21-2009	#5
tccrab Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Folsom CA Posts: 1,655	Re: Help-no start Ray: After I had read through my original post I edited out multiple copies of pretty much the same thing. I also tried to clarify things a little. When I first did my DNS starter relay mod, I wanted to take the "Start" 12v signal from as close as the key as possible, so I found the easiest place to splice into that under the passenger dash and ran a wire out to the ECM area. It's not necessary to do that. You have everything you need right at the ECM. Remove the negative battery cable. Unplug and remove the ECM. Open the main wiring loom and find the purple wire. Run a hot and ground directly from the battery using appropriate wire. Install the relay using these 4 wires, the hot and ground from the battery, and both ends of the purple wire. Tidy up your installation, wirelooms and zip ties are your friends. Reinstall the ECM and tuck all the evidence under the ECM. There you have it, no more Dreaded No Start. Disclaimer as follows: Hacking into your wiring loom isn't and shouldn't be the first thing that you do. There are lots of other things to diagnose/fix/try before you go permanently modifiying your wiring harness. In no particular order: - Learn about VATS, see if anything is amiss there. - Temporarily bypass and/or replace the clutch safety switch. - Replace the starter relay. - Check ignition switch. - Replace battery. - Check all starter connections and/or replace starter Some good info here: http://www.zr1netregistry.com/ZR1_tr...ting.htm#Start http://www.zr1netregistry.com/forum/...0&postcount=16 Good luck and sorry for the confusion. TomC "Crabs" __________________ TomC '90ZR1 #792 Honorary Pirate [B]If it ain't FUN, you're doing something terribly WRONG. [/B]

06-21-2009	#6
bldavis11 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Portsmouth, VA Posts: 245	Re: Help-no start Ray, Welcome to the forum! Tom's right on the money with this one. Take the time for the mod and you'll be good to go.