Intermittent no start VATS - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

AnthonyGS · 02-04-2018

This has happened to me twice in the past year. Get in car, fires right up, go to lunch, order lunch, eat lunch, enjoy lunch, get back in car and won't start. It's like the ignition is totally bypassed. Lights, stereo, windows all have power, turn key nada. Starter is totally not energized. Call wife, wife takes me home, get spare key, get back to car, 90 minutes later starts and drives like always. Get car back to office. Car starts normally with either key. WTF? Drive car again today, both keys work.

Anyone know details on vats system? Does it cause a no start on a timer? A few minutes, 15 minutes? Not an issue? Are the resistors in my keys changing? Is the resistance circuit in the infnition switch going bad? Is the vats module just intermittently retarded?

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Did I mention the silly grin I get everytime the LT5 comes roaring to life or I plant the throttle to the floor?

G8nightman · 02-04-2018

If the car does not read the key right it’s disabled for I think at least 15 min happened to me about 3 time since I bought the car in 07.

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jmglyder · 02-05-2018

Hello,

I have had a couple no start situations like yours. Keep in mind I may not have fully engaged the clutch both times when the car would not start. So I am very cognizant to make sure that happens every time I start the car and have not had the situation since.

GOLDCYLON · 02-05-2018

Unless you are seeing a VATS light flashing I don't think that is your problem. I would to a search on here for the Clutch Bypass mod. Its time to defeat the clutch switch. GC

Dynomite · 02-05-2018

Are you saying the starter will not turn over?

If that is the case........

Recondition the starter Solenoid points

Starter, Starter Relay, Wiring Harness, Battery, and Plugs Tricks

Next time park ZR-1 on a flat surface and you can easily have someone sit in drivers seat with ignition on and in second gear with clutch depressed. You push the Z a bit (easy on flat surface) and the "someone" pops the clutch and you are started

Reconditioning the Starter Solenoid is a must in all my Top End Restorations as well as installing the Starter Relay

Make sure the "someone" is a friend because when the ZR-1 is started, the "someone" may want to take a test drive

jss06c6 · 02-05-2018

So here was my "problem".. on the door jambs, you will see a small felt disc. They get compressed over time with age. When they do, the security system doesn't know that the door is closed properly. I fixed mine and never had another problem. Not saying this is it, but certainly worth a check since mine was intermittent like yours is.

Sent from my XT1585 using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app

02-04-2018	#1
AnthonyGS Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 35	Intermittent no start VATS This has happened to me twice in the past year. Get in car, fires right up, go to lunch, order lunch, eat lunch, enjoy lunch, get back in car and won't start. It's like the ignition is totally bypassed. Lights, stereo, windows all have power, turn key nada. Starter is totally not energized. Call wife, wife takes me home, get spare key, get back to car, 90 minutes later starts and drives like always. Get car back to office. Car starts normally with either key. WTF? Drive car again today, both keys work. Anyone know details on vats system? Does it cause a no start on a timer? A few minutes, 15 minutes? Not an issue? Are the resistors in my keys changing? Is the resistance circuit in the infnition switch going bad? Is the vats module just intermittently retarded? Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Did I mention the silly grin I get everytime the LT5 comes roaring to life or I plant the throttle to the floor?

02-04-2018	#2
G8nightman Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 1,186	Re: Intermittent no start VATS If the car does not read the key right it’s disabled for I think at least 15 min happened to me about 3 time since I bought the car in 07. Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry __________________ 90 Chevy ZR1 LPE #2315 'SOLD' 90 Chevy ZR1 LPE #2774 'SOLD' 91 Chevy ZR1 Callaway aerobody 91 Chevy ZR1 #1512 91 Chevy ZR1 #951 95 Chevy ZR1 #338 'SOLD' 91 BMW 850i 94 BMW 850csi 95 BMW 850csi 94 Lotus Esprit S4 07 Benz CLS550 06 BMW M5 "SOLD"

02-05-2018	#3
jmglyder Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: north carolina Posts: 161	Re: Intermittent no start VATS Hello, I have had a couple no start situations like yours. Keep in mind I may not have fully engaged the clutch both times when the car would not start. So I am very cognizant to make sure that happens every time I start the car and have not had the situation since. __________________ John Glyder ZR-1 NetRegistry Membership Chair [ 1988 Corvette Challenge Car #66 WAZOO Member 1991 ZR-1 #1029 - Sold 1985 Corvette - Sold 2023 BMW X4

02-05-2018	#4
GOLDCYLON Join Date: May 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 9,153	Re: Intermittent no start VATS Unless you are seeing a VATS light flashing I don't think that is your problem. I would to a search on here for the Clutch Bypass mod. Its time to defeat the clutch switch. GC __________________ GOLDCYLON - 91 ZR-1 #2014 GOLDCYLON - 90 ZR-1 #2794, 4L60e (Formerly Schrade's) GOLDCYLON - 11 CTS-V Arizona State Director 91 WHITE/BLACK #2014. 380 P&P&PCed,Ported Heads, Jeal Long tubes, Corsa Exhaust/FIKSE FM-5s /LED TLs, LED Headlights, Front Wilwood 6 piston narrowlite calipers and rear Wilwood caliper street shop mod,CNCed Coolant Pipes,TPI Cvr,Filter cover,Stainless Bolts, DRM/DOM PROM /ZFDOC mod build #102,DRLs,BMAD with stainless Debris Screen,Coplan Air Blaster, Pioneer APP Radio 4,Brey-Krause HB,Sub Bar,Fire extinguisher seat mount,DRM Coilovers,LEDs everywhere,Compass mirror (orange),V1 DIC hidden display, Homelink sun visor, Carbon Fiber top x3 and APSIS Carbon Fiber interior, APSIS CF Steering Wheel/NAPA Leather, Banski trailing arms, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension) ZFDoc drive shaft safety loop, raptor shift light (orange),AO engineering louver front plate, Console seat cushion, 96CE seats with black custom Sheepskins, ss billet catch can,Viper remote entry/alarm,Cragar Rear Louvers,LED side louver lights, Dewitts Radiator with SPAL fans and a Woods 160 T-Stat 90 RED/BLACK #2794. 4L60e Automatic Stage V by RPM Transmission, TCI Dedicated TCM, OBX Stainless Headers, Corsa Exhaust, SAN Secondaries and Haibeck PROM, Exotic Muscle Coil overs, LED Interior Lights, LED Tail Lights, LED Headlights, 94 Sport seats with black custom Sheepskins , Cragar rear louvers, GS Front calipers, Banski Trailing arms, APSIS Carbon Fiber steering wheel, Front and Rear Baer Eradispeeds, DRLs, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension), Dewitt's Raditor with Dual SPAL fans and a Haibeck 170 T-Stat 11 RED/GREY CTS-V

02-05-2018	#5
Dynomite Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Dakota/California Posts: 3,796	Re: Intermittent no start VATS Are you saying the starter will not turn over? If that is the case........ Recondition the starter Solenoid points Starter, Starter Relay, Wiring Harness, Battery, and Plugs Tricks Next time park ZR-1 on a flat surface and you can easily have someone sit in drivers seat with ignition on and in second gear with clutch depressed. You push the Z a bit (easy on flat surface) and the "someone" pops the clutch and you are started Reconditioning the Starter Solenoid is a must in all my Top End Restorations as well as installing the Starter Relay Make sure the "someone" is a friend because when the ZR-1 is started, the "someone" may want to take a test drive __________________ Left Clickable links -Solutions- LT5 Modifications/Rebuild Tricks Low Mileage ZR-1 Restoration 1990 Corvette (L98) Modifications LT5 Eliminated Systems LT5 Added Systems LT5/ZR-1 Fluids 1995 LT5 SPECIFIC TOP END REBUILD TRICKS Last edited by Dynomite; 02-05-2018 at 10:14 AM.

02-05-2018	#6
jss06c6 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Magnolia, Texas Posts: 884	Re: Intermittent no start VATS So here was my "problem".. on the door jambs, you will see a small felt disc. They get compressed over time with age. When they do, the security system doesn't know that the door is closed properly. I fixed mine and never had another problem. Not saying this is it, but certainly worth a check since mine was intermittent like yours is. Sent from my XT1585 using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app

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