Corvette Performance - C5Z, Intermittent Start

Guys,

I need a little help. I've been searching...but I'm starting to get irritated.

Ok...it all started with what I thought was my starter going out. I replaced that with a Powermaster...;)...car cranked up a few times no sweat.

Went to the Mall with the wife...bam...car didn't want to start. I pumped the clutch thinking maybe it was the clutch switch...finally it started after about 5 minutes, got it home. I got it home and pulled the Ignition and Crank fuses...nothing was blown...but they were a little dirty. I just went ahead and replaced them incase not knowing if that was my issue.

Took it out again for a spin the other night and nothing bad happened.

Went to turn it over tonight and it didn't want to start. This time, instead of getting pissed off I watched the gauges and noticed the Security Light was flashing. Doesn't this mean its a VATS issue?

Prior to posting this, I walked out to the car and turned it to the On position. The Security Light WAS NOT flashing...cranked right up. I did this three times and it started everytime.

Any ideas? VATS issue? Clutch Switch going out? VATS relearn...?

From what I've read its a VATS issue IF the Security Light is blinking. I can't answer if was blinking previously to tonight...due to blind rage...but I can tell you it was at my first attempt at trying to crank her tonight. 3 hours later however, the car turned over without issue, without fail.

Any shove in the right direction would be great.

Bumping this.

Come on guys...I'm a pretty smart guy...just a little help and I can handle it.

I can basically put the key in...turn it to ON position...and know if its going to start if the Security Light is flashing or not. If it is...no start. If it isn't...starts up.

try cleaning the contacts on the actual key.

I had the same issue in the past and the contact on the key was dirty.

I have cleaned the contacts on the key.

It has not started one time since I have done this.

Any other ideas? I'm guessing VATS issue...but could it be the ignition?

More info.

It appears to be something linked with the passenger door...I dunno.

Everytime its occurs the passenger side door has been opened so I just tried to repeat it in my garage a few minutes ago and bam...something with the passenger door makes the security keep blinking.

I let all the light turn off...got in again and only messed with the driver side door and it was fine.

Anything from anybody? I'd like to not bypass the system as obviously, the damn thing can work in keeping my car from being stolen...

I had this same problem when I first bought my 04 Z. Ended up having to replace the ignition cylinder. The prongs inside it had worn out and was only reading the key every now and then. One day it finally stopped working, luckily while I was at a friend's house. I bought a new ignition cylinder and took it to a local locksmith to have the tumblers switched out to match my key. Never had any trouble out of it again.

I had this same problem when I first bought my 04 Z. Ended up having to replace the ignition cylinder. The prongs inside it had worn out and was only reading the key every now and then. One day it finally stopped working, luckily while I was at a friend's house. I bought a new ignition cylinder and took it to a local locksmith to have the tumblers switched out to match my key. Never had any trouble out of it again.

EDITED

I'm looking into getting a new cylinder...or just wiring a toggle up to the VATS with the resistors wired in so I can still have the ability to turn it on.

Anybody got pics of a setup like this? I'm still debating.

Bump for edit

Easier to just switch out the ignition cylinder while you are there. I think total cost doing it myself was $125.

Easier to just switch out the ignition cylinder while you are there. I think total cost doing it myself was $125.


Is this what you're talking about:

http://www.oehq.com/acdelco-parts_D1499C_ACD_ACDelco-Ignition-Starter-Switch~2002-CHEVROLET-CORVETTE-Z06-5.7L.htm#

Or is it this...I'm guessing its this one:

http://www.oehq.com/acdelco-parts_D1473D_ACD_ACDelco-Ignition-Lock---Uncoded---Cylinder-Kit~2002-CHEVROLET-CORVETTE-Z06-

Is this what you're talking about:

http://www.oehq.com/acdelco-parts_D1499C_ACD_ACDelco-Ignition-Starter-Switch~2002-CHEVROLET-CORVETTE-Z06-5.7L.htm#

Or is it this...I'm guessing its this one:

http://www.oehq.com/acdelco-parts_D1473D_ACD_ACDelco-Ignition-Lock---Uncoded---Cylinder-Kit~2002-CHEVROLET-CORVETTE-Z06-

The bottom link is it. I think I replaced both pieces when I did mine.

Here are some good pictures of the switch with the cylinder removed.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-tech/1951626-c5-ignition-switch-repair.html

The bottom link is it. I think I replaced both pieces when I did mine.

Here are some good pictures of the switch with the cylinder removed.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-tech/1951626-c5-ignition-switch-repair.html

...it sounds like it can be repaired if IT ISN'T a VATS issue. That sound about right? I mean I'll put it apart either way and put a OHMs to it and sand down any worn contacts...no sweat. But that seems to be repairing "other" issues vs repairing VATS unless I'm misreading it.

Or, can I simply clean up and bend the contacts?

Then again...you were just providing me with a picture right? I appreciate your help man...you're the only person jumping on this and I am thankful for the input.

...it sounds like it can be repaired if IT ISN'T a VATS issue. That sound about right? I mean I'll put it apart either way and put a OHMs to it and sand down any worn contacts...no sweat. But that seems to be repairing "other" issues vs repairing VATS unless I'm misreading it.

Or, can I simply clean up and bend the contacts?

Then again...you were just providing me with a picture right? I appreciate your help man...you're the only person jumping on this and I am thankful for the input.

The link I was just providing to show pictures of the ignition switch. The ignition cylinder is what contains the contacts for reading the chip in the key. The only way to fix it is to replace the cylinder and have the tumblers switched out by a lock smith to match your key. From what you were saying about the security light flashing makes me lean more towards the VATS issue ( ignition cylinder ) versus the ignition switch.

The link I was just providing to show pictures of the ignition switch. The ignition cylinder is what contains the contacts for reading the chip in the key. The only way to fix it is to replace the cylinder and have the tumblers switched out by a lock smith to match your key. From what you were saying about the security light flashing makes me lean more towards the VATS issue ( ignition cylinder ) versus the ignition switch.

Thank you for all your help. I appreciate it.

I'm going to pull everything out tonight and start cleaning up the switches...ordered a new cylinder.

I'll hunt down a locksmith too.

Just wanted to follow this up with some resolution.

I ended up replacing the lock cylinder and the switch. Retumbled the lock myself. No big deal.

However, to anyone else...you can simply remove the "VATS Reader" off the ignition lock cylinder face...as far as C5Zs go and clean it up and use it again. No big deal...no need to spend money, no anything.

Anyway, the new switch looks great with no "burn/black" marks and the lock cylinder is really nice and tight. I love it.

It was a bitch but she is good now.

Thanks.

/unsubscribed.

Not sure what you mean by removing the VATS. Glad you got the issue fixed!

Not sure what you mean by removing the VATS. Glad you got the issue fixed!

The cylinder lock...its a metal housing, with the actual "tumbler assembly" inside of it. On the face of where you place the key is the "VATS Reader"...its a pastic piece with a wire .

If you pull the front, metal plate off...the part you look at everytime you put the key in the ignition...that part comes off. Its held on by tabs. Pop it off. That metal plate comes off.

When that happens, the plastic "VATS Reader" can be pulled off the metal "tumbler assembly" and cleaned up. You can actually bend the VATS Prongs out more so it'll give a tighter read also.

Then once its cleaned and bent...put it all back together and its as good as new.

I may have to get some pictures...