General Maintenance & Repairs Leaks | Squeaks | Clunks | Rattles | Grinds
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Problem starting my 2002 SS

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 9, 2010 | 11:51 AM
  #1  
sgristina's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Default Problem starting my 2002 SS

Periodically my SS won't start. The battery is new and I have tried both sets of keys. I don't get it. Sometimes I will wait a couple of hours and try again, and it will start right up. Any suggestions?
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2010 | 11:55 AM
  #2  
bongva's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 726
Likes: 0
Default

you mean like it just wont turn over at all?

my car had the same problem for awhile, it was the neutral saftey switch. when i went to turn the key there was nothing there. and the security light was on. How i fixed the problem was. i put the car in neutral. turned the key then stepped on the clutch pedal. or sometimes just stepped on the clutch pedal half way. it worked every time!
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2010 | 12:44 PM
  #3  
sgristina's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Default

I have an automatic, but I tried starting it in neutral and it didn't work. It's frustrating. Any other suggestions.
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2010 | 02:06 PM
  #4  
BOA279's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
Default

make sure your battery cables are tight. I had the exact same problem. Sometime it would start right up and other times like at the gas station It would do nothing and I had to push it into a parking spot. One day I was running a little late for work and it wouldnt start so I got pissed and slammed the door...started right up. So then when it wouldnt start I just slammed the door like a ra-tard for 3 or 4 minutes until it started. With a meter I found I had no power at the post on the driver side near the fuses. I then found the battery ground 1/4 loose and have never had a problem again ^^

It was just loose enough that slamming the door caused the cable to touch just enough to allow enough current to the starter.
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2010 | 02:33 PM
  #5  
sgristina's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Default

Ok, thanks. I will check it out and see if that's the issue.
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2010 | 08:03 AM
  #6  
99monguse's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 732
Likes: 0
From: OHIO
Default

Try swaping a fan relay into the ign relay spot (they'e the same relay). Very common problem!
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2010 | 10:32 PM
  #7  
onebad427's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Carmichael, Ca.
Default

Just fixed my 2001 WS6 Auto convertible. Had nothing when turned key. Started inter. then perm. Replaced the starter and recharged the battery. Started like a champ. Then after driven short distance, the car wouldn't start back up, it would crank really slow and then click...very low battery. Found fresh battery acid at terminals. Replaced the battery, now really fixed. The starter and/or solenoid shorted out and took the battery with it.
Drove great for a day, now cranks like a champ and will not fire. Has good fuel press at rails. Think is either crank sensor, or hopefully not ignition module. Hooked up analyzer and no problems displayed while cranking. Will try the relay swap trick. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2010 | 10:45 PM
  #8  
onebad427's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Carmichael, Ca.
Default

Tried the relay swap...no good.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 10, 2010 | 10:47 PM
  #9  
blkstkss's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Tinley Park, IL
Default

might be the VATS system. The chip in your key creates a circuit in the ignition tumbler. The wires are very thin and wear out over time. Do a search on VATS disable. If this is the problem, the car won't start for 15 minutes or so and the security light will be on if i remember correctly. To disable you basically inline a resistor the same resistance as the chip in your key underneath the steering column.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2010 | 12:37 AM
  #10  
onebad427's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Carmichael, Ca.
Default

Does the car still turn over if the VAT system messes up. Mine turns over great.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2010 | 03:09 PM
  #11  
blkstkss's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Tinley Park, IL
Default

No sorry. If its the vats system the car won't even turn over
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2010 | 01:54 PM
  #12  
dimetweaker's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Bothell
Default

Originally Posted by blkstkss
No sorry. If its the vats system the car won't even turn over
I know this is a few days old, but mine cranks just fine when vats activates, it just wont fire.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:35 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE