Generation III External Engine LS1 | LS6 | Bolt-Ons | Intakes | Exhaust | Ignition | Accessories
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Gremlins aboard

Old May 14, 2010 | 12:19 PM
  #1  
97ss497's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 271
Likes: 3
From: Northern Ill
Default Gremlins aboard

I'm having a strange problem with my 99Z28. The car has been running fine until last weekend. I bought one of those Accutron or whatever code readers to clear a code from the PCM. The code was for a 1-2 shift solenoid and I replaced the solenoid so I then deleted the code. When I took off after deleting the code the car died. It started right back up and was ok for the hour drive down to my folks.
When leaving that day the car wouldn't start; it would turn over but would not start. Jut for the hell of it I removed the neg bat cable. When I tried to start it it started and ran fine for the hour and a half drive back home. Weds I go to start it same thing, wouldn't start; took off the neg cable, still wouldn't start; took off the pos cable, reconnected and it started. Turned the car off. Went to start it again and it started. Took it out to my painter to get some touch up work done. He gets the prep work done and is gonna drive it to the spray booth; wont start. Take off the cables, nothing. Still turns over but won't start. He's going to call it a night but I ask him to check fuel pressure. When he turns the key with the fuel pressure gauge installed the car starts and he's able to take it to the booth. Not sure what pressure readings he was getting; will check on Tues when I go get the car (hour away)
What the heck can this be? Would the accutron device do something strange to the PCM? Do I have a PCM that's about to die?

Any and all opinions would be greatly appreciated. I'm taking the car on the Power Tour in 3 or so weeks and need to get this problem solved...

Thanks
Reply
Old May 14, 2010 | 02:10 PM
  #2  
mikey1107's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma
Default

Is the security light on the dash flashing when you are trying to start it?
Reply
Old May 14, 2010 | 03:20 PM
  #3  
97ss497's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 271
Likes: 3
From: Northern Ill
Default

Originally Posted by mikey1107
Is the security light on the dash flashing when you are trying to start it?
I don't think so but I'll look when I go out on Tuesday; it's not throwing any codes.

What does a flashing security light mean?
Reply
Old May 17, 2010 | 07:20 AM
  #4  
97ss497's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 271
Likes: 3
From: Northern Ill
Default

Any other ideas b4 I go to get the car tomorrow? What does a flashing security light mean when trying to start the car?
Reply
Old May 17, 2010 | 09:44 AM
  #5  
mikey1107's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma
Default

Originally Posted by 97ss497
Any other ideas b4 I go to get the car tomorrow? What does a flashing security light mean when trying to start the car?

A flashing security light when you're trying to start it may be a problem with the VATS system. You may have to replace the ignition cylinder.
I had a problem like that once with a car that would not start and had a flashing security light,I could sit with the key on for about 5 minutes the light would stop flashing and the car would start. I replaced the ignition cylinder and never had the problem again. The orange wire from the cylinder to the VATS module was not making good contact and would occasionally not allow it to start.crank but no start,I think it cuts the fuel pump relay. I have heard of people bypassing the VATS system but I have never done it.

Just a thought that may help.
Reply
Old May 17, 2010 | 11:34 AM
  #6  
97ss497's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 271
Likes: 3
From: Northern Ill
Default

Ok; are you talking about the security light inside the gage cluster where all the other warning lights are or the red led security light on the dash above the stereo?

Thanks for the info!
Reply
Old May 17, 2010 | 12:09 PM
  #7  
mikey1107's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma
Default

In the cluster
Reply
Old May 17, 2010 | 12:58 PM
  #8  
97ss497's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 271
Likes: 3
From: Northern Ill
Default

Thanks a ton buddy...
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 May 17, 2010 | 01:11 PM
  #9  
mikey1107's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma
Default

No problem,hope you find the gremlin
Reply
Old May 22, 2010 | 10:40 PM
  #10  
97ss497's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 271
Likes: 3
From: Northern Ill
Default still acting up

Went to pick up the car and didn't start again. Pulled off the battery cable; it started the 3rd try; drove it home and parked it in the garage. I did notice that the security light wasn't flashing while I tried to start it so it's prob not the VAT's.

Tried this morning; wouldn't start. Had 50psi in the on position; 58 cranking.
It started tonight, and had 58 while running.

What else can this be? Could the scanner I used to turn off the engine code be a possible problem? Could it have done something to the PCM?

I'm at a loss here guys; please shoot me any other checks I can try....
Reply
Old May 23, 2010 | 06:14 AM
  #11  
97ss497's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 271
Likes: 3
From: Northern Ill
Default

Same **** this morning. Motor cranks as normal but will not start. Note: when the car has started since the beginning of this problem it runs fine at all speeds, idle thru WOT. I will check spark at each plug and check each coil resistance this morning.
Reply
Old May 23, 2010 | 08:43 AM
  #12  
97ss497's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 271
Likes: 3
From: Northern Ill
Default

Took the pos term off. Waited a few mins. Fired on the 3rd try. Turned car off. Started back up. Turned car off. Started back up. I know if it sits for awhile it will do the same thing. I noticed when it does restart it's not a real "strong" start. Normally the car starts real strong. Fuel pressure is good!

Anybody?
Reply
Old May 29, 2010 | 12:00 PM
  #13  
97ss497's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 271
Likes: 3
From: Northern Ill
Default update

I put a new Optima battery in it because I got a great deal on it and figured maybe the old battery might be the culprit. Did this on Tues. Thursday went to start it and it took the 3rd turn of the key to start it. Started fine for the rest of the day.
Friday morning I took it to the tuner (Mike at Straightline Performance in New Lennox) to have the po751 deleted from the PCM (1-2 shift solenoid) I kept getting a false SES light. Started up fine; drove the 2 hour trip with no problems; the car runs perfect. He does the po751 delete; I go to start it; doesn't start at first; then starts buts dies. Start up again, seems ok. Mike said that was normal for the PCM to have to tune itself again. Drove it home, stopping at 2 or 3 places; started up great every time.
This morning the wife and I are going to go for a cruise; jump in the car; turns over but won't start....

What the hell can this be???? The Power Tour is a week from now and I'm planning on doing it but I'm not so sure now.

Fuel pressure is fine.

The car runs great once it's started.

Maybe a ground somewhere?
Fuel filter?
Crank Sensor?
Not VATS because the security light isn't flashing.

Please....any ideas or hints????
Reply
Old May 31, 2010 | 03:25 PM
  #14  
97ss497's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 271
Likes: 3
From: Northern Ill
Default update part deux

Did a few searches and quite a few people had similar probs; one fix was to swap the starter and ignition relays. I did that and the car started right up. So I went ahead and bought 2 new relays (both the starter and ignition are the same p/n) and kept the old starter relay as a spare. The new ignition relay seems to be the fix; the good thing is it's only a $12 part and it took a minute to replace.
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2011 | 03:14 PM
  #15  
Teakwo23's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Dunedin, FL
Default

Had the same problem with mine. Easy fix!
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2020 | 07:52 AM
  #16  
mich2112's Avatar
Staging Lane
20 Year Member
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 55
Likes: 3
From: Williamsburg, VA
Default Same issue

I just had the same problem. One day wouldn't start. I would eventually get it running, but after shutting off it was hard to start. Switched the starter and ignition relays and it fired right up. I have ordered two new ac delco relays. Thanks for the info...saved my life.
Reply


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:09 PM.

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