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Author Topic: Weird problem, need help identifying cause ...
Kevin V [SSOA F99-0584]
2nd Gear
Member # 98

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The other day when I turned the key, absolutely nothing happened. The radio would play but as far as trying to start it was absolutely nothing. Tried several times turning the key and then on about the 5th try it started. My son has had the same thing happen to his 99 z28 a few times and then this morning it just wouldn't start at all. The dealer said let it sit for 5-10 minutes so the "computer can reset"?? well he tried this several times and nothing. Later at lunch he tried again a few times, nothing. The battery seems fine. Now he has to have it towed in.

Anybody else experience anything like this or have any ideas what the problem might be.

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Kevin Villier (SSOA F99-0584) - 6M, TT, navy blue, dual-dual exhaust, chrome SS
wheels, SLP shifter, Lou's "short-stick". Louisville, Kentucky


Posts: 308 | From: Louisville, KY | Registered: Feb 2000  |  IP: Logged
AndrewB
1st Gear
Member # 111

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Is the "security" light on the dash stay on? Maybe your key chip is not being properly picked up.

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AndrewB - Montreal, Quebec, Canada - AndrewB@camarossc4.cjb.net
1998 Camaro SS #C4 (SC soon)
Homepage: http://camarossc4.cjb.net
Founder of the Montreal F-Body Association: http://mfba.cjb.net
Advisory Member A98-C004 for the Super Sport Owners Association: http://www.ssoa.net


Posts: 153 | From: Montreal, Canada | Registered: Feb 2000  |  IP: Logged
John -- '02 HAWK
2nd Gear
Member # 164

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Mine did this the a month or two ago. The security light came on. So I went and got the spare set. About 10 min elapsed when I tried and it turned right over. So I cleaned off my old set and it started working again.
Posts: 418 | From: DFW, Texas | Registered: Feb 2000  |  IP: Logged
1EVILSS
1st Gear
Member # 864

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A friend's 99 C5 had that problem. 1 out of 10 times the car wouldn't start. Dealer replaced the starter, no problems since.
Jeff

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2000 Pewter SS M6 #1475


Posts: 35 | From: Phoenix, AZ | Registered: Jan 2001  |  IP: Logged
Kevin V [SSOA F99-0584]
2nd Gear
Member # 98

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He tried both sets of keys and alarm buttons and nothing works. It could be a problem with the security system not deactivating or something keeping it from starting. He also tried disconnecting the battery then reconnecting it after a bit to see if it would reset, again nothing.

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Kevin Villier (SSOA F99-0584) - 6M, TT, navy blue, dual-dual exhaust, chrome SS
wheels, SLP shifter, Lou's "short-stick". Louisville, Kentucky


Posts: 308 | From: Louisville, KY | Registered: Feb 2000  |  IP: Logged
agmSS
1st Gear
Member # 853

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Most of the time when I've heard of this happening, including the two times it happened to me, it was either a defective key set or a defective VATS module. The VATS ( Vehicle Anti Theft System ) has to read the key to allow the car to start. If the key(s) are contaminated somehow, or the unit itself is defective, it can cause intermittent starting problems. It may not be the source of the problem, but checking the ignition or VATS module might be worth a shot. Good luck...

Andy

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'01 SS #3122
Sunset Orange / Ebony Lea
M-6, All GM Options
Y2Y Options:
Bilstein Susp.
Dual-Dual
10-Spoke Chrome Whls
SS Grille
SS Mats
SS Car Cover
SS Dash Plaque
SS Key Fobs


Posts: 214 | From: Pepperell MA USA | Registered: Jan 2001  |  IP: Logged
Robbie-97SS2902
2nd Gear
Member # 206

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My bet would be with VATS but I would also check to make sure the car knows you are pushing in the clutch.

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Robbie-M97-2902
Metairie, LA
Bright Rally Red, 6M, All Chevy options except ASR (ASR not allowed with SS package in 1997), Hurst, SLP performance exhaust, SS floor mats, SS cover, Torsen, Level 2 Bilstein, Oil cooler, Zaino, NOAH car cover, BMR STB, SLP !CAGS.
My Photopoint pictures
My 97 SS


Posts: 254 | From: LaPlace, LA | Registered: Feb 2000  |  IP: Logged
Crazy Horse
1st Gear
Member # 893

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I noticed this problem with my SS as well. It's really weird, you plop down the clutch and turn the key, and everything powers up, but the engine doesn't crank up. I somehow figured out the solution by accident one day when.....

Here's what I do:
Obviously to start an M6-equipped car, you have to depress the clutch before you turn the key. What I noticed is that if you depress the clutch too far down (like to the floor), the starter doesn't turn. So when I let the clutch back up just a hair, and turn the key, the starters cranks up and the beast comes to life. This is a very annoying, but not a serious problem for me. So try this guys... whenever this happens again, just try it again with the clutch at a different position. It may be different for each car, so just try different positions to see what works. After a while you just get used to depressing the clutch to a certain level and it will start every time. Hope this helps! Party hard, sleep later!


Posts: 114 | From: Hermosa Beach, California | Registered: Feb 2001  |  IP: Logged
Steve_Winters
2nd Gear
Member # 128

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The clutch safety switch went out on both my old '77 C10 and the '82 Z28. Both were about 10 years old at the time, though. Early symptom was the starter would only work at particular clutch positions, as noted above.

BTW, the truck switch was both cheaper and easier to get to.

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Cheers,
Steve SSOA F00-1363 CCSD #204
00 Camaro SS Lt. Pewter, neutral leather, M6, Hurst, PEG2, ASR, defogger
SLP chrome rims, D-D exhaust, Bilstein, Castrol, cover, mats, fobs
BMR STB, SLP !CAGS, AAM diff cover, Chrome Hood Insert, Zaino
Dyno's at 312 RWHP, 321 RWT
96 K1500 SWB Silverado 350 5 speed 3.73 axles Z71 G80 etc.

"It riles them to believe that you perceive the web they weave..."
Moody Blues
http://caam.com/ccsd/


Posts: 466 | From: San Marcos, CA, USA | Registered: Feb 2000  |  IP: Logged
Kevin V [SSOA F99-0584]
2nd Gear
Member # 98

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My son's 99 Z28 is at the dealer, I guess he'll find out today the cause. I'll post what they found.

Maybe another section on the SSOA site would be a "Common Problems" section with the most likely causes and fixes.

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Kevin Villier (SSOA F99-0584) - 6M, TT, navy blue, dual-dual exhaust, chrome SS
wheels, SLP shifter, Lou's "short-stick". Louisville, Kentucky


Posts: 308 | From: Louisville, KY | Registered: Feb 2000  |  IP: Logged
   

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