Car won't start! DFW help ($$ too!)
 

Okay, tried to start the car, nothing.

Brand new battery. Started for 10 seconds, running rough, then died.

No codes. Will turn the accessories and power is coming through. Won't crank.

Any help is appriciated. If you want to come diagnose it and help me get it running, I'll pay some $$ or beer or whatever.

Thanks. 97 Z M6 is the car. Brand new wiring harness installed before this because rats chewed through the old one. I've checked all the wires I can see and everything is fine, no chewed through grounds that I can find.

Thoughts?

opti spark

It was running just fine until the rats came and ate. Wiring to the opti are fine, plug/coil wires good too. Opti wouldn't go bad while just sitting......right?

opti's go bad for no reason at all, major downfall to an LT car. Is the car getting power at all?

Car is getting power from battery, lights etc work, I'm going to take the alternator in to be tested. Starter is not old....2 years maybe.

Seriously hope it is not opti......is there a sure-fire way to test the opti on car?

sorry I didnt read the post fully. My check the crank sensor check to hear if the fuel pump cuts on when u turn the key on, air filter, fuel filter?? Just a couple come to mind.

fuel pump is kicking in, air and fuel filter are fine....How do I check the crank sensor? Just replace it?

Not real sure, I never owned an LT car, I dont know if autozone or oriellys can test them or not.

Seriously hope it is not opti......is there a sure-fire way to test the opti on car?[/QUOTE]

alternator

for sure

clicking sounds? anything? I have owned 3 LT1 cars, 2 fbod's, 1 C4... the Opti's are often the culprit..

Have you driven the car since you re-installed the new wiring harness? How bout your VAT's? could the chp in the key be bad?

No clicking....not like a dead battery. Pulling the alternator now, going to have it tested at Oreilly's. Just sounds like it wants to start. Its getting fuel and spark, but almost like it is not enough?

Haven't driven since the install, it started, then sputtered, now won't start at all......

Check the coolant tempurature sensor on the water pump. YUou might try to hold the gas pedal down all the way and crank it. Don't let up. If it at least sputters, that is probably your problem. Check to make that the coil is firing. Pull off the number one spark plug boot, stick a screwdriver in the boot. Set the screwdriver about a 1/4" away from something metal. Get a buddy to turn the car over and see it there is spark. If there is, more than likely it is not ignition related. I have seen the temp sensor go bad for no reason and I have seen the connector come out for no reason. And btw, the crank sensor has no real function. All it does is monitor misfires. You could unplug it and the car will run fine.

And on a side note, I have melted a rotor in one of those optisparks. It was almost brand new.

have you checked if you are getting spark?

nvm i didnt read right, it would be the alternator if it was just draining battery and then car died, sry, but sounds like a connector or somthin came loose, check your wires, or might try your coil, i think thats what im thinkin of, you can get a msd one at o reily for like 50

I can't remember, did the '97 have VATS?

91-02 cars had VATS. But VATS won't let the starter turn if it is engaged. Plus it'll flash security at you with the car on or off.

whats vats??

VATS = Vehicle Anti-Theft System (the coded chip in your ignition key)

oh yea, hahaha no brainer