Corvette won't start (engine won't try)

[Sidewinder]

Last Tuesday I acquired a 2000 Corvette convertible in Brainerd (1 owner, <48K miles) and drove it home to Minneapolis with no probs - it was the first time I'd driven a stick in a long time so I'm not sure how happy the engine was.

 

Friday morning, it wouldn't start.  I turned the key and the gauges lit up; beeps beeped, chimes chimed... but there was nothing from the engine, no spark; no crank.

 

One forum suggested the battery might be bad or low, thought I have some trouble believing this since the headlights switched on just fine.  

 

One other thing I noticed, the relevance of which I also doubt except my expertise here is non-existent, is that the button under the front of the trunkoid on the driver's side (the button you press to release the trunkoid lid so you can fold the top down) did not release the trunkoid lid.  I resigned to drive to work with the top unimpressively up; unaware of just how unimpressive things were about to get.

 

Anyone have any experience with this problem with the C5 Corvette, or Chevies in general?  If it is possibly the battery, and I ought to charge it up, can anyone recommend which charger to buy?

[Sidewinder]

On 9/7/2024 at 3:05 PM, Sidewinder said:

Last Tuesday I acquired a 2000 Corvette convertible 

 

Which, may prove to have been a mixtake.

 

: /

[hdporter]

Forgive what is likely an ignorant suggestion/question:  Did you fully depress the clutch before trying to start?

 

I ask only because years ago I bought my first car with a standard b transmission, drove it away, and then made a stop, parking it on an incline.  I engaged the parking break and when I got back in the car, I put it in neutral with the break engaged and tried to start it.  (Don't ask why I put it in neutral.)

 

Short story, this is how I learned the clutch is switched to prevent a start while in gear.

[TheVig]

 

[Sidewinder]

On 9/21/2024 at 10:00 AM, TheVig said:

 

 

Nope; mine is silver.

[centex]

Concur with the question about 'was the clutch fully depressed?' Its a new enough model, there could also be a safety start fuse in the mix that needs to be looked at...

[Sidewinder]

On 9/16/2024 at 2:59 PM, hdporter said:

Forgive what is likely an ignorant suggestion/question:  Did you fully depress the clutch before trying to start?

 

I ask only because years ago I bought my first car with a standard b transmission, drove it away, and then made a stop, parking it on an incline.  I engaged the parking break and when I got back in the car, I put it in neutral with the break engaged and tried to start it.  (Don't ask why I put it in neutral.)

 

Short story, this is how I learned the clutch is switched to prevent a start while in gear.

 

On 9/22/2024 at 12:12 PM, centex said:

Concur with the question about 'was the clutch fully depressed?' Its a new enough model, there could also be a safety start fuse in the mix that needs to be looked at...

 

: /

 

[Sidewinder]

Took it for a spin on Monday; also got it its first fill-up since it became mine.

 

I went to the Amoco station in Plymouth (even though I like the one in Stillwater better).

 

Was kinda surprised it holds >15 gallons.

[centex]

On 9/30/2024 at 3:49 PM, Sidewinder said:

 

 

: /

 

Does this mean we diagnosed it? 

[Sidewinder]

On 10/12/2024 at 11:09 AM, centex said:

Does this mean we diagnosed it? 

 

Fraid so.

 

It's weird because I brought it home from Brainerd, stopping at the Dollar General in Royalton, stopping at the architecturally significant post office in Little Falls, stopping for a celebratory I-now-have-a-Corvette meal at the Chick-fil-A in St. Cloud, and successfully started the darn thing without a thought. 

 

How did I suddenly start missing it?

 

(Also I now need gears in the headlight motor assembly replaced. Welcome to C5 ownership, I guess.)

Edited October 17, 2024 by Sidewinder

[embertmorton200]

If your Corvette doesn’t crank at all, start by checking the basics—battery voltage and terminal corrosion. Then inspect fuses, relays, and the starter solenoid connection. Many models also have security system lockouts (PassKey or VATS) that disable the starter. If accessories work but the engine won’t try, scan for immobilizer codes or test the neutral safety switch.

[Sidewinder]

Needs a new battery.

 

(Is what I'm guessing, based on the fact that the engine won't turn over and the D.I.C. is giving me a "Low Voltage" message.)