Car didn't start - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

plev · 04-23-2010

I had an issue today where my beast would not start. I had full power to windows, lights, but got NOTHING when I turned the key, not even a clicking from the starter.

I let the car sit for three hours and it started right up.

this wasn't an issue because I was home but I'd hate to have this happen away from the house.

If it helps, I had just washed it however had started it to move it once after the wash.

Any ideas what it could have been?

Kevin · 04-23-2010

sounds like the clutch switch problem I had. simple fix.

Pull drivers side hush panel. Find Purple wire that goes to clutch  switch. Look at switch and note the color of wire coming back  up.(Yellow??) Will be able to jumper them right there. I used a 3 in  wire with terminals on the end and unplugged the wires going to switch  and plugged in the jumper wire. Use a 12 ga wire at least as it does  carry a heavy current load which is why the switch fails, it gets hot  and the resistance across the points stops current flow.

LGAFF · 04-23-2010

The question is if there is a volt drop when you push in the clutch pedal, if you see a volt drop, clutch switch is fine.

Chances are starter is going or was wet.

tccrab · 04-24-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by plev

I had an issue today where my beast would not start. I had full power to windows, lights, but got NOTHING when I turned the key, not even a clicking from the starter.

I let the car sit for three hours and it started right up.

this wasn't an issue because I was home but I'd hate to have this happen away from the house.

If it helps, I had just washed it however had started it to move it once after the wash.

Any ideas what it could have been?

Sounds like the...............
Dreaded No Start

My favorite topic!!

http://www.zr1.net/forum/showpost.ph...45&postcount=2

TomC
"Crabs

tccrab · 04-25-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dynomite

1. Jumper out the Clutch safety switch. Are you saying jump the purple wire to what? (Kevin's solution)
2. Replace Starter relay under dash. This is the relay you show in diagram? Where is started relay located exactly?
3. Install my patented "Dreaded No Start Cure". What is this?

1. Install a jumper wire to bypass the clutch safety switch. Pretty simple stuff.
2. There is a starter relay tucked up under the dash on the drivers side.
3. Dreaded No Start Cure:
http://www.zr1.net/forum/showpost.ph...88&postcount=6

TomC
"Crabs

Paul Workman · 04-25-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dynomite

I put your patented No Start Cure in Solutions http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=11619

I thought I would take the liberty of enhancing Mr. TCCRAB's diagram. The relay is an excellent solution

, especially if bypassing the clutch switch is not necessarily desirable to some. (The relay does the heavy lifting, leaving the clutch switch the relative minuscule task of triggering the relay.)

Something else comes to mind, and that is while purchasing the relay one might get a plug-in type relay and the matching socket, as opposed to hard wiring the relay in place. That would allow for a quick swap of the relay - if ever needed. Just a thought.

P.

IowaZR-1 · 04-25-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Workman

Something else comes to mind, and that is while purchasing the relay one might get a plug-in type relay and the matching socket, as opposed to hard wiring the relay in place. That would allow for a quick swap of the relay - if ever needed. Just a thought.

P.

Exactly what I did here. Installed the relay above the battery and used an inline fuse also. I keep a spare relay and fuse in the console. Thanks again Tom and nice picture Paul!

tccrab · 04-27-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Workman

I thought I would take the liberty of enhancing Mr. TCCRAB's diagram. The relay is an excellent solution

, especially if bypassing the clutch switch is not necessarily desirable to some. (The relay does the heavy lifting, leaving the clutch switch the relative minuscule task of triggering the relay.)

<snip>

Something else comes to mind, and that is while purchasing the relay one might get a plug-in type relay and the matching socket, as opposed to hard wiring the relay in place. That would allow for a quick swap of the relay - if ever needed. Just a thought.

P.

Paul:

Wow.
Just Wow.

Thank you!!
Much better than my funky stick drawing.

TomC
'Crabs

Aurora40 · 04-24-2010

Was the car hot when it wouldn't start? If so, the sitting to fix it suggests a starter going south.

Did the security light come on when it wouldn't start? That suggests a VATS or key issue (and you probably could have tried again in 5 minutes vs 3 hours.)

plev · 04-24-2010

Yes, the car was hot, or at least very very warm.

and yes the security light was on. I noticed it because all the dash boards lit up as they do when I am starting it. I'll have to check to see if the security light typically comes on when I start it.

What's VATS?

04-23-2010	#1
plev Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: MA Posts: 17	Car didn't start I had an issue today where my beast would not start. I had full power to windows, lights, but got NOTHING when I turned the key, not even a clicking from the starter. I let the car sit for three hours and it started right up. this wasn't an issue because I was home but I'd hate to have this happen away from the house. If it helps, I had just washed it however had started it to move it once after the wash. Any ideas what it could have been?

04-23-2010	#2
Kevin Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: pittsburgh Posts: 4,632	Re: Car didn't start sounds like the clutch switch problem I had. simple fix. Pull drivers side hush panel. Find Purple wire that goes to clutch  switch. Look at switch and note the color of wire coming back  up.(Yellow??) Will be able to jumper them right there. I used a 3 in  wire with terminals on the end and unplugged the wires going to switch  and plugged in the jumper wire. Use a 12 ga wire at least as it does  carry a heavy current load which is why the switch fails, it gets hot  and the resistance across the points stops current flow. __________________ It's not the car, it's the people - Doug Johnson 90 r/r "KEYS ON" nick named "T.L.B"

04-23-2010	#3
LGAFF Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Crystal Lake, IL Posts: 7,194	Re: Car didn't start The question is if there is a volt drop when you push in the clutch pedal, if you see a volt drop, clutch switch is fine. Chances are starter is going or was wet. __________________ LGAFF 90 #966-150K miles-sold 92 #234-sold 1987 Callaway TT #17 1991 ZR-1 #1359 Last edited by LGAFF; 04-24-2010 at 12:23 AM.

04-24-2010	#9
Aurora40 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 2,713	Re: Car didn't start Was the car hot when it wouldn't start? If so, the sitting to fix it suggests a starter going south. Did the security light come on when it wouldn't start? That suggests a VATS or key issue (and you probably could have tried again in 5 minutes vs 3 hours.) __________________ Bob Saveland Former owner of #2517 [IMG]http://a.random-image.net/aurora40/vette.jpg[/img]

04-24-2010	#10
plev Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: MA Posts: 17	Re: Car didn't start Yes, the car was hot, or at least very very warm. and yes the security light was on. I noticed it because all the dash boards lit up as they do when I am starting it. I'll have to check to see if the security light typically comes on when I start it. What's VATS?