C5 Starting Problem - no dashboard lights plus engine dies after 2 secs...

[Pitre]

As it says in the title, the first time I put the key in the ignition and turn it the dials spin but nothing lights up and although the car starts it dies after a second or two. Subsequently, it starts and runs normally.

I'm pretty sure it's a faulty ignition switch and it needs stripping and fettling - as per instructions on the US Corvette forums (hope that's all) but I'll do it and update here if successful... I guess ultimately it might need replacing...

 

[teamzr1]

Have you load tested the battery ?
Via the DIC what it says the voltage is ?

Check via the DIC for any DTCs ?

 

[Pitre]

Voltage is ok as the battery is new, but I haven't read any codes yet as I'm actually away for the weekend. Will do this week when (if) I get home...

 

[teamzr1]

Voltage could be good
But battery could have a bad cell so cannot handle the AMP draw on startup, so needs to be load tested
If you do not have one, I assume UK auto parts stores have one to do the test while battery is still connected

 

[Pitre]

Pulled out the ignition switch today and - apart from my dashboard looking like a war zone - the problem looks to be with corroded contacts inside the switch, as I suspected. There are a couple of good YouTube videos on this which really helped. Only tools needed are a T15 torx driver, a small flat screwdriver and a 10mm socket.
I'll update this once I've cleaned up the contacts and put everything back together. Fingers crossed



See photos....

 

[C5Steve]

Thats the beauty of these cars, very easy on the whole to take apart and a video for everything! Hope you get it sorted.

 

[Pitre]

Very useful YouTube HERE....

 

[Pitre]

All cleaned up/de-corroded and reassembled, all back in and working. Fingers crossed, problem seems to have been fixed

 

[C5Steve]

Glad you got it sorted and thanks for actually updating the thread, nothing worse than finding thread after thread of diagnoses but no outcomes!

 

[Pitre]

Glad you got it sorted and thanks for actually updating the thread, nothing worse than finding thread after thread of diagnoses but no outcomes!

I figured it might be useful reference for other C5 owners who will doubtless face the same problem as they all get older (cars not necessarily owners!).