91 Corvette starting problem

[Al S.]

My son and I each have 91 coupes, both 6 speeds.Mine has 118,000 miles and his has 36,000 miles. Both of us are having the same problem. For what seems to be no good reason either car will fail to crank.Wait 5 minutes and there is no problem.Today I bypassed the clutch interlock switch with a jumper and remote stater switch. The car cranked but did not start.Then it failed to start with the key. Five minutes later it started easily. Anyone had a similar experience. Solutions?

[Chuck S.]

Re: 91 Corvette starting problem

Al,

An idea: the five minute delay, and the steps necessary to make the car crank makes me wonder if there isn't a problem with the anti-theft system. Typically, the starter is disabled if the system doesn't recognize the key, and I bet power to the ignition system is interupted as well. You might try cleaning the key contacts. Earlier cars with the VATS had to have ignition locks replaced.

Chuck Sangerhausen

[Bill #34162]

Re: 91 Corvette starting problem

Do the newer vettes have crank sensors? Had a situation similar to what you describe on an 97 F150 truck. The crank sensor went bad.

[Tom Freeman]

Re: 91 Corvette starting problem

I had a problem something like yours with my 90. Usually would start without a problem but sometimes would get nothing, no click or starter crank, just dead. Thought had a bad starter, so jacked the car up and took a look at replacing the starter. Found the auto trans cooling lines right below the starter so decided would wait before trying to pull the starter off. Just disconnected and cleaned all the electric conections on the starter then reconnected everything. Started perfect after that and no problem since. Just an idea.

tom...

[Al S.]

Re: 91 Corvette starting problem

Thanks for the help. I switched ignition keys and the car started on the first try this A.M. So it seems the sensor in the key may be bad. We'll keep you posted

[Tom Freeman]

Re: 91 Corvette starting problem

I would bet on the sensor in the key being bad since a new key worked. If the one in the switch was bad a new key would not make any difference.

tom...