91 corvette will not start

[Joel E.]

I have a 91 coupe & I stopped @ the gas station & shut off the car went to restart & dead as a door nail no clicking or anything ?

Do I have security problem in the ignition or a starter problem

[Bob H.]

Re: 91 corvette will not start

I had a similar problem that was the key fob. Also, keep in mind, batteries these days can fail instantly with no notice at all.

Bob

[Joel E.]

Re: 91 corvette will not start

I checked both keys & nothing battery was fully charged with power everywhere else so I have narrowed it down to those two things

what was your solution ?

[Bob H.]

Re: 91 corvette will not start

I did not state that properly. It was in the column and would not read the key properly. On mine it was called the VATS system. Try a search using that term and you should find some fixes. I will look and forward anything I find.

[Joe L.]

Re: 91 corvette will not start

I have a 91 coupe & I stopped @ the gas station & shut off the car went to restart & dead as a door nail no clicking or anything ?

Do I have security problem in the ignition or a starter problem

Joel------


I'd say that it's either a dead battery or a VATS system failure. If it turns out to be VATS, your best bet might be to acquire a VATS eliminator kit and, thus, simply bypass the VATS. This is a lot easier and cheaper than repairing the VATS.

[Joel E.]

Re: 91 corvette will not start

Thanks I will, new here & just got into my Vette in august & was stumped by this problem did you end up replacing something in the ignition or column that sounds more like my problem then the starter ! I know the starter give you a little warning before it goes & my column is a little loose & original with 114K on it

[Joel E.]

Re: 91 corvette will not start

sounds more & more like it don't think its the batt. I have ample power everywhere else

What does the eliminator consist of & what does it intale is it plug & play or splice ?

[Joel E.]

Re: 91 corvette will not start

just answered my own question went to ebay to see what they had & its plug & play just wish I could find one local !

[Wayne W.]

Re: 91 corvette will not start

All you really have to do it measure the resistance of the key pill and duplicate that with resistors from the radio shack. Wire that into the harness and it does the same thing for pennies.

But, Beware, The starter will also fail instantly sometimes contrary to popular belief. They don't always forewarn you.

[Tom H.]

Re: 91 corvette will not start

Here's an old bulletin I dug up.

#91-231-6D: INTERMITTENT NO-START/NO-CRANK DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE PROCEDURE - (Feb 26, 1991)

Subject: INTERMITTENT NO START CONDITION


Model and Year: 1988-91 CORVETTE WITH 5.7L ENGINE


Condition:


An intermittent no start condition, with no clicking from the starter, may occur on the 1988 to 1991 "Y" car with 5.7L L98 (VIN Code 8) engine. The symptoms are similar to a VATS related condition.
Cause:


Paint build-up on the starter block may cause a loss of the ground path for the starter.
Correction:


1. Insure that the VATS system is operating correctly, following Service Manual instructions. 2. Disconnect negative battery cable. 3. Raise vehicle, and remove starter. 4. Clean all paint and corrosion from the starter mounting flange on the engine block. 5. Reinstall starter, and lower vehicle. 6. Reconnect negative battery cable. Insure that vehicle now starts properly.
Warranty Information:


Labor Operation Number: Tl 708
Labor Time: 0.7 Hour

[Gary C.]

Re: 91 corvette will not start

One of the Road Tour folks had a similar problem. Car was an automatic and the neutral safety start switch had failed and caused the problem. Gary....

[John G.]

Re: 91 corvette will not start

Quick test would be to use remote starter button, will test if starter is good/bad...if vats failed should have security lite.

Good luck,
John G

[Arland D.]

Re: 91 corvette will not start

Joel,

Used to have the same problem with an 88 so we carried a small container of denatured alcohol and q-tips to clean out the key slot. After a quick cleaning of the key slot the car would fire up just fine - worked for years.

Arland

[Peter M.]

Re: 91 corvette will not start

if vats failed should have security lite.

Good luck,
John G

If the VATS system failed you would have a flashing security light.

The same thing happened to me a few years back; it was the starter. Replaced the 22 year old starter and all was well.

If it is not the starter check out the ignition control module in the distributer. This is a $40 part which GM recommends changing out every 75000 miles. When the ICM goes, the car just stops, period. Its an easy and cheap fix. If you need help with it I have a great technical how to write-up.

[George D.]

Re: 91 corvette will not start

I had a similar problem. All of the accessories worked, but the car wouldn't start. Turned out to be the battery cutoff switch wasn't making good contact. Once I eliminated the cutoff switch out it worked fine. Bottom line, could be a loose or corroded battery terminal.