I've done a good bit of reading on the forum, to try and figure out why my '04 AT is having trouble starting recently for no reason..

I hadn't driven it in a week or two, and let the girlfriend borrow it. I told her about letting it warm up before she shuts it off. She assured me that she did so. However, when she returned it, I noticed that the oil light was on, and she had said it was like that when she drove it 100ish miles to Charleston, and another 100 back. Great.. Topped it off, and the next day I was moving it around and noticed that it was VERY sluggish to start..like a weakened battery thing.

I drove it around town with NO issues, AC, radio, lights, no worries. But whenever I turned it OFF, it would IMMEDIATELY shutoff...die would be a better word. It's hard to describe..but when you shutoff most cars, they sort of slow down to a stop, even if that's within a second.. this though, just dies as soon as you turn the key off. I don't remember it ever doing that.

And then when I go to turn it on, again the same thing, it takes forever for it to turn over and finally start.

• Is it the starter, since I have what I believe to be the first version, the weaker one?
  
• Is it the battery? I checked it while running, and it showed 14v. While off, it showed I think 11.7v? Can't remember for sure.
  
• Is it low compression?? The engine was replaced at 55K miles, and it currently has 74k miles..

One last thing, I noticed that I get a good SHOCK every time I get out of the car and touch the aluminum door panels...why is that?

 

When you topped off your oil, did you maybe pour too fast? Check your intake tube to see if there's any oil in there.
If there is, wipe it out and clean your maf sensor.

A video of your "shut down procedure" could also help

 

That is definitely possible...I'll check.

What do you mean shutdown procedure? As in a video of me turning off the car? I could do that..

 

^yes, that's what I meant

 

Any bets she left the door open/trunk open/lights on and killed an already sub par battery ??

 

Could be that whole low oil and driving it 200 miles kinda worries me. Do the math no problems then driving it 200 miles with oil light on and problems. Logic would dictate you start with a compression test and go from there. Oh and keep that oil light story to yourself at the stealership. The shocking you thing is static electricity. When your driving friction with air is building up a static charge. Then when you get out you provide a direct short to ground.

 

Hmmm, possible, but I doubt it. However I DON'T doubt that the battery could be bad..

That is my worst case scenario...I really hope it's not a compression issue. It's warranty expired about a month ago..



Just turned it on again, and it started "fine" comparatively. Sounded normal. But, when I turned it off, it again was too abrupt for my tastes..

Right now I'm cleaning the MAF and IAT sensors, as well as unplugging the battery for 20 mins, etc.

Here is a video of it shutting off..will have to crank your speakers up to hear it..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx6zq...ature=youtu.be

 

11.7 volts is not enough to start it reliably.....and undercharged

Have it load tested........or if it is 4+ years old save the grief and buy a new one

 

I can't get the link to work.

 

Here is the video again:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx6zq...ature=youtu.be

 

The idle speed seems a bit low, almost like you are idling in drive. Also, I noticed the CEL is on, do you have the code(s)?

 

CEL has been on due to a bad rear O2 sensor..but I haven't pulled the codes. Is there a nifty way to do it, or do I have to get a scanner?

 

get a scanner, or take it to autozone (or the like) for free read

 

shocks are just static 'cause its winter

 

I go and chit chat with guys at advance evry week ,, now they just say take scanner or what ever I need , I work on cars and sometimes I go and just chill with them .. make them your buds why buy things when they can loan them to you . I can spend that money on my car.

Check battery , spark, maf, change oil I will if it was that low . Add some premix that's just me. Check fuel pressure that's just me . Good luck

 

It appears that either cleaning the MAF/IAT sensors or buying a new battery fixed the problem..it starts like I used to remember now, every time, no issues..

However, I'm not sure still if it's cutting off TOO abruptly when turned off, or if I've just gotten used to how the 'vette turns off now.. I "think" that I notice a positive difference in how it turns off as compared to the old battery..

Still idles at around 800 rpm, which someone said seemed too low?