Engine won't start and evrything is dark - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Jetjock · 03-05-2023

Back in 2016, the starter interrupt relay started giving me fits by not letting me start after driving a little bit. I replaced the relay and never had a problem with that. Last week or so, I took the car to car wash and after driving out, I shut down the engine and cleaned up the car inside and out. When I was done, it wouldn't start. Same scenario. Called AAA and got the car home and then it started. I went ahead and replaced the relay because it acted exactly like the last time that it did it. The guy at the parts store said that this was the right relay for the car so I got it and it started right up, no issues. I moved the car a few times since then with no problems. Yesterday, I started it up to go something and it did it again except this time everything went dark. I had instrumentation before and now nothing.

One note to mention. We did have thunderstorms pass through the area with high winds. The house is ok electrically except for the garage. All of the outlets are out including the one for the garage door. I checked the CB and it was fine. I rigged up a bypass so my wife can get in and out. The car was hooked up to the battery tender at the time of the storm. Its kinda weird for these things to happen like this. Any thoughts about the car?

Roy

Corvette95 · 03-05-2023

Soooo have you removed the plenum and checked the starter itself? Should should also be able to test the red wire going to the starter for voltage. Have you added the remote started relay upgrade?

mlipmd · 03-05-2023

Your battery cable connections are clean and tight? Checked the battery voltage?
Does the battery tender still work or did it get blown by the lightning strike?
Unusual for all electrical circuits in the car to be dead but you have to start at the battery and work down the line checking fuse boxes, fuseable links, and wiring.

conesare2seconds · 03-05-2023

Would probably take the battery down to the auto parts store and have it tested. It could have an internal short.

Jetjock · 03-05-2023

Well, here is the situation so far. The car is totally dead. Battery voltage is 12.63 volts. No lights at all. It did start up a day before the weather hit but not any more. It's not the starter, it's not the battery. It's a massive, blown circuit.

Roy

Mikey · 03-05-2023

Check ignition fuse

Jetjock · 03-05-2023

I checked the ignition fuses and they were both good. However, while I was pulling out one of the fuses, I suddenly had power, the hood lights came on and other noises occurred and then shut off. It sounds like a bus tie connector going back and forth except I don't think that this car has one.

Roy

Mikey · 03-05-2023

Sounds like your electrical issue may be intermittent due to loose, broken or corroded connection in/around the fuse block

03-05-2023	#1
Jetjock Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Auburn, KY Posts: 554	Engine won't start and evrything is dark Back in 2016, the starter interrupt relay started giving me fits by not letting me start after driving a little bit. I replaced the relay and never had a problem with that. Last week or so, I took the car to car wash and after driving out, I shut down the engine and cleaned up the car inside and out. When I was done, it wouldn't start. Same scenario. Called AAA and got the car home and then it started. I went ahead and replaced the relay because it acted exactly like the last time that it did it. The guy at the parts store said that this was the right relay for the car so I got it and it started right up, no issues. I moved the car a few times since then with no problems. Yesterday, I started it up to go something and it did it again except this time everything went dark. I had instrumentation before and now nothing. One note to mention. We did have thunderstorms pass through the area with high winds. The house is ok electrically except for the garage. All of the outlets are out including the one for the garage door. I checked the CB and it was fine. I rigged up a bypass so my wife can get in and out. The car was hooked up to the battery tender at the time of the storm. Its kinda weird for these things to happen like this. Any thoughts about the car? Roy __________________ Roy L. Carman If I feel the need for speed, I just think about flying the B-777. 1989 Dk Blue Coupe lost in divorce 1991 Black Coupe SOLD 1992 Black ZR-1 #423 SOLD! 1993 Ruby Red 40th Anniversary ZR-1 #334 1995 Black ZR-1 taken by ex-wife 2002 Pewter Coupe no idea where it is 2003 50th Anniversary Corvette #No idea what number SOLD! ZR-1 Net Registry #516 Grand Sport Lifetime Member NCM Lifetime #1468 ZR-1 Net Registry Board Secretary

03-05-2023	#2
Corvette95 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Decatur, AL Posts: 1,119	Re: Engine won't start and evrything is dark Soooo have you removed the plenum and checked the starter itself? Should should also be able to test the red wire going to the starter for voltage. Have you added the remote started relay upgrade? __________________ Corvette95 Registry and Forum (*************) 1989 C4 Conv Wht/Gry Auto Hardtop Top Flight SOLD 1995 C4 Coupe Purple/Blk 6 Speed 1989 C4 Conv Wht/Red Auto SOLD 1996 C4 Conv Black/Tan Auto SOLD 1994 C4 Coupe Wht/Blk SOLD 1995 C4 ZR-1 White/Gry #278 Dual Dunn Head SOLD 1986 C4 Coupe Black/Red 4+3 SOLD 1990 C4 ZR-1 Red/Red #0454

03-05-2023	#3
mlipmd Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Crawfordville, FL Posts: 216	Re: Engine won't start and evrything is dark Your battery cable connections are clean and tight? Checked the battery voltage? Does the battery tender still work or did it get blown by the lightning strike? Unusual for all electrical circuits in the car to be dead but you have to start at the battery and work down the line checking fuse boxes, fuseable links, and wiring.

03-05-2023	#4
conesare2seconds Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Greater St. Louis Posts: 488	Re: Engine won't start and evrything is dark Would probably take the battery down to the auto parts store and have it tested. It could have an internal short.

03-05-2023	#5
Jetjock Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Auburn, KY Posts: 554	Re: Engine won't start and evrything is dark Well, here is the situation so far. The car is totally dead. Battery voltage is 12.63 volts. No lights at all. It did start up a day before the weather hit but not any more. It's not the starter, it's not the battery. It's a massive, blown circuit. Roy __________________ Roy L. Carman If I feel the need for speed, I just think about flying the B-777. 1989 Dk Blue Coupe lost in divorce 1991 Black Coupe SOLD 1992 Black ZR-1 #423 SOLD! 1993 Ruby Red 40th Anniversary ZR-1 #334 1995 Black ZR-1 taken by ex-wife 2002 Pewter Coupe no idea where it is 2003 50th Anniversary Corvette #No idea what number SOLD! ZR-1 Net Registry #516 Grand Sport Lifetime Member NCM Lifetime #1468 ZR-1 Net Registry Board Secretary

03-05-2023	#6
Mikey Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 322	Re: Engine won't start and evrything is dark Check ignition fuse

03-05-2023	#7
Jetjock Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Auburn, KY Posts: 554	Re: Engine won't start and everything is dark I checked the ignition fuses and they were both good. However, while I was pulling out one of the fuses, I suddenly had power, the hood lights came on and other noises occurred and then shut off. It sounds like a bus tie connector going back and forth except I don't think that this car has one. Roy __________________ Roy L. Carman If I feel the need for speed, I just think about flying the B-777. 1989 Dk Blue Coupe lost in divorce 1991 Black Coupe SOLD 1992 Black ZR-1 #423 SOLD! 1993 Ruby Red 40th Anniversary ZR-1 #334 1995 Black ZR-1 taken by ex-wife 2002 Pewter Coupe no idea where it is 2003 50th Anniversary Corvette #No idea what number SOLD! ZR-1 Net Registry #516 Grand Sport Lifetime Member NCM Lifetime #1468 ZR-1 Net Registry Board Secretary