Z wont start - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Chris_32212 · 04-06-2010

As I eluded to in a previous thread, My Z is down for the count with an issue in the transmission. It grinds a little bit going into 4th gear so I have refused to drive it since last summer to prevent further damage. I am an unemployed college student now since being layed off and loosing my house early last year and can't afford to fix the transmission problem so I have been forced to side line the car and let it sit. I didn't start it often enough and the battery died completely. I jumped it and hooked up a known good battery but it wont start. Its like the computer wont send power to the starter. Any ideas? could it be an issue with the computer not having power for an extended period of time?

Chris

klaptrapper · 04-06-2010

May I offer a suggestion? I have had the issue you describe twice. One way to determine whether or not you have a battery problem, is charge your battery up fully, leave the battery charger ON the battery on "high" charge. and try and start the car. If it responds, buy a new Delco replacement battery. If not, go to the next thing, whatever that is.

Rusty ex '90 1572

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris_32212

As I eluded to in a previous thread, My Z is down for the count with an issue in the transmission. It grinds a little bit going into 4th gear so I have refused to drive it since last summer to prevent further damage. I am an unemployed college student now since being layed off and loosing my house early last year and can't afford to fix the transmission problem so I have been forced to side line the car and let sesit. I didn't start it often enough and the battery died completely. I jumped it and hooked up a known good battery but it wont start. Its like the computer wont send power to the starter. Any ideas? could it be an issue with the computer not having power for an extended period of time?

Chris

Chris_32212 · 04-06-2010

Yeah, I will do that but I jumped it with a dodge 350 diesel truck with twin batteries while that truck was running. It should have started because it had plenty of power. I know that I need to trouble shoot it further and for the most part, I know how to do that. I just thought that someone might know a trick or a tip. I thought maybe the computer was cranky for not having power for an extended period of time possibly causing my prom to be deleted or something crazy like that. The only reason I haven't trouble shot the issue further is because even if I get the car running, it isn't going anywhere because of the transmission issue and knowing me, the battery will likely go dead again because I am so busy with school and what not.

Chris

QB93Z · 04-06-2010

Chris,

The symptoms you describe sound like a dead battery to me. When you try to jump start a very dead battery, the dead battery will "hold" the system voltage lower that 12 vdc even after to connect the jumper cables. All of the current being supplied by the truck batteries is going to the dead battery and it will take a while for the system voltage to get high enough to allow the starter circuit to engage the starter. That is why the suggestion above to charge the battery makes sense. Try that first before you conclude something is wrong with your computer. Then verify that it not a Vehicle Anti-Theft System (VATS) problem. It doesn't sound like a VATS problem because you are hearing clicking, which is probably the starter solenoid. Other than VATS, the computers have nothing to do with the starter circuit.

Good Luck

Jim

klaptrapper · 04-06-2010

yes, I did all that too, both times with jumpering. For some reason, I can not explain, each time I tried it with the charger connected and charging, the damn thing started.
Costs you nothing to humor me......ha

Rusty

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris_32212

Yeah, I will do that but I jumped it with a dodge 350 diesel truck with twin batteries while that truck was running. It should have started because it had plenty of power. I know that I need to trouble shoot it further and for the most part, I know how to do that. I just thought that someone might know a trick or a tip. I thought maybe the computer was cranky for not having power for an extended period of time possibly causing my prom to be deleted or something crazy like that. The only reason I haven't trouble shot the issue further is because even if I get the car running, it isn't going anywhere because of the transmission issue and knowing me, the battery will likely go dead again because I am so busy with school and what not.

Chris

Chris_32212 · 04-06-2010

It had power every where. head lights, dome lights, system acted like there wasn't anything wrong except nothing would happen when I turned the key. There is a weird noise coming from the fuse box area too. I have no idea what that is about. Its a faint clicking noise that doesn't stop.

Chris

04-06-2010	#1
Chris_32212 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver Posts: 224	Z wont start As I eluded to in a previous thread, My Z is down for the count with an issue in the transmission. It grinds a little bit going into 4th gear so I have refused to drive it since last summer to prevent further damage. I am an unemployed college student now since being layed off and loosing my house early last year and can't afford to fix the transmission problem so I have been forced to side line the car and let it sit. I didn't start it often enough and the battery died completely. I jumped it and hooked up a known good battery but it wont start. Its like the computer wont send power to the starter. Any ideas? could it be an issue with the computer not having power for an extended period of time? Chris __________________ [SIZE=1]1993 Corvette ZR-1 #137, 1990 Yellow 6speed coupe, and 1991 6speed coupe.[/SIZE]

04-06-2010	#3
Chris_32212 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver Posts: 224	Re: Z wont start Yeah, I will do that but I jumped it with a dodge 350 diesel truck with twin batteries while that truck was running. It should have started because it had plenty of power. I know that I need to trouble shoot it further and for the most part, I know how to do that. I just thought that someone might know a trick or a tip. I thought maybe the computer was cranky for not having power for an extended period of time possibly causing my prom to be deleted or something crazy like that. The only reason I haven't trouble shot the issue further is because even if I get the car running, it isn't going anywhere because of the transmission issue and knowing me, the battery will likely go dead again because I am so busy with school and what not. Chris __________________ [SIZE=1]1993 Corvette ZR-1 #137, 1990 Yellow 6speed coupe, and 1991 6speed coupe.[/SIZE]

04-06-2010	#4
QB93Z Join Date: May 2007 Location: Westminster, Maryland Posts: 3,689	Re: Z wont start Chris, The symptoms you describe sound like a dead battery to me. When you try to jump start a very dead battery, the dead battery will "hold" the system voltage lower that 12 vdc even after to connect the jumper cables. All of the current being supplied by the truck batteries is going to the dead battery and it will take a while for the system voltage to get high enough to allow the starter circuit to engage the starter. That is why the suggestion above to charge the battery makes sense. Try that first before you conclude something is wrong with your computer. Then verify that it not a Vehicle Anti-Theft System (VATS) problem. It doesn't sound like a VATS problem because you are hearing clicking, which is probably the starter solenoid. Other than VATS, the computers have nothing to do with the starter circuit. Good Luck Jim __________________ If it isn't fun, you aren't doing it right! 1990 Black ZR-1 - sold 1993 Quasar Blue ZR-1 1994 Competition Yellow ZR-1 1995 Dark Purple ZR-1 Maryland State Coordinator WAZOO Member

04-06-2010	#6
Chris_32212 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver Posts: 224	Re: Z wont start It had power every where. head lights, dome lights, system acted like there wasn't anything wrong except nothing would happen when I turned the key. There is a weird noise coming from the fuse box area too. I have no idea what that is about. Its a faint clicking noise that doesn't stop. Chris __________________ [SIZE=1]1993 Corvette ZR-1 #137, 1990 Yellow 6speed coupe, and 1991 6speed coupe.[/SIZE]