Jsparks0614

1995 Camaro z28 m6. I've had an intermittent starting issue for a while and I don't know what's going on honestly. It'll fire up great for a couple days as soon as you hit the key, then it will delay some just a couple seconds and then longer until I get no crank at all, let it sit for a few hours or a day and it fires up great again. I'm honestly completely lost as to what it might be I've got good connection on the starter and the battery. No issues at all when it does start and run, it runs like a champ. VATS system has been bypassed for quite some time and has never given me any issue, I still have all dash lights and security light does not stay on. Any suggestions???

Injuneer

By "delay" do you mean the starter labors to crank the engine, or that it cranks the engine normally, but it takes a few seconds of cranking before it fires?

Is there any difference, hot engine vs. cold engine? ..... dry weather vs. wet weather?

How many miles on the engine? Original starter? Have you had the battery tested? Have you checked for a high amp draw when the key is in the "off" position?

Is the engine stock?

Jsparks0614

By delay I mean it will fire within the first few cranks as soon as you hit the key and then eventually you hit the key and there might be a 3 second delay before the crank starts and maybe the same the next time the next the delay may be a slight bit longer until it doesn't crank at all and you can just let it sit a few hours or a day and it will crank and fire as soon as you hit the key. The battery hasn't been tested, although the voltage gauge reads exact as it should and does not differ from when it does and does not crank. No difference in hot cold and wet or dry. 180k on motor aside from newer clutch top end seals and main seals and oil pan gasket within the last 15k miles. All stock aside from k&n air filter not full conversion and a flow master muffler. No clue of age of the starter on it.

Chimera96

if your battery cables are original...consider replacing.

Starter could be going bad or lose/bad wiring to it

you have headers??

Mighty_mouse

When it's giving the issue, have you checked the safety switch on the clutch pedal?

bw_hunter

A delay without a 'hot smell' could be a weak starter solenoid. I would think a delay caused by corroded cables would possibly smell hot as they have much higher resistance but would also spin the starter slower. A bad ignition switch could do this as it might have intermittent contact but work normally when contact is made. Ditto for the clutch lockout switch.

Good Luck!

Jsparks0614

There is no corrosion on the cables, all grounds are there and fine with good connection. Battery cables are in great condition and battery is putting out correct voltage. I'm just going to replace the starter and see if this will correct the issue.

Jsparks0614

The switch on the clutch pedal is there and appears fine although I did hold the switch with my finger the other day and it still cranked and started no problem.

bw_hunter

Don't just replace the starter without checking things out. Replacing parts is the most expensive way to solve any problem and there is no guarantee that it will solve the problem,.

Why not hook a test light to the small wire on the starter after removing it from the starter? Rig it so you can see it from the drivers seat. You should get a light every time you turn the key with the clutch pushed in. Play around with the clutch and the key to see if you can get a response where the light doesn't come on immediately. If you find such a condition, the problem is not the starter...it's either the ignition switch or the starter safety switch. I'm assuming there is nothing wrong with the VATS. To check that out maybe switch to another ignition key.

If you get a light every single time with no delay, it is probably the starter solenoid....or a loose connection on the starter

Good luck!

Chimera96

if replacing the starter, get one for a 95-96 Corvette at Autozone. Smaller, cheaper and a gear reduction type starter

Jsparks0614

Vats system has been bypassed and has never given me an issue before. The connections on the starter are secure and tight. I can test the small wore on the starter with it still connected right to ensure that I'm getting the power everytime I hit the key?

bw_hunter

I'm not sure what you mean here. What I'm suggesting is to remove the wire from the small terminal on the starter and hook one side of a test light to the wire with the other side of the test light to ground. Put the light where you can see it. With the clutch pushed in you should see the light go on immediately. If it doesn't light immediately, the problem is not the starter. If I does light immediately every time you try it, it is the starter...

Jsparks0614

What I'm saying is I can get to the small wire of the test light while it's connected and bolted on. If I have someone else actuate the clutch and fire the key when it's not cranking I can still test that wire to see if it's getting power to it ever time the same way as if it's unbolted correct?

MightMouse

Yes

bw_hunter

Sure, that would be fine. I'm used to doing things without the help of an assistant.

I would suggest you pull the fuse for the pcm or the low voltage wires off the coil. That way you can do multiple tests without starting the engine....