Hard Start Issues - Page 3 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

2013ZL1FUN · 10-02-2022, 06:34 AM

I tested the battery under the hood and In the trunk.

George-CZ · 10-02-2022, 07:13 AM

And your engine starts hard as if the battery is weak, or the engine spins, spins, but doesn't want to start..?

If the motor barely rolls over, I'd lean towards beefing up the grounding.

Years ago I added grounding between the engine and the body
like this...

https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=504199

as a precaution and I had no problems with starting in any situation even when the battery was on the verge of capacity.

Name: 20190813_112848.jpg
Views: 178
Size: 207.2 KB

Name: 20190813_112848.jpg
Views: 178
Size: 207.2 KB

Verified by measurement.

Joe.G · 10-02-2022, 07:18 AM

It sounds like the car turns over normal but just doesn't start, I didn't think battery was my issue but it was, Try a jump pack when this happens and see if it helps.

FasNuf · 10-02-2022, 09:31 AM

These cars are very picky with their voltage and amperage requirements. I've had weird things happen and it was always the battery, I'd get a new quality battery and see if your problems go away.
I'd also check what amperage your car is requiring while just sitting as if overnight. Possibly a parasitic drain or load.

2013ZL1FUN · 10-02-2022, 11:55 AM

All good ideas, thanks for the advice. I just bought a X2Power battery, with 840cca.

2013ZL1FUN · 10-02-2022, 01:05 PM

According to the scanner my buddy got for me, my fuel pressure at 600 rpm idle is 51 psi. What should a ZL1engine be at idle?

2013ZL1FUN · 10-02-2022, 01:07 PM

All this stuff is new to me. Much different from my 67 RSSS Camaro convertible!

2013ZL1FUN · 10-02-2022, 01:08 PM

I don't know how to check amperage draw.

FasNuf · 10-02-2022, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2013ZL1FUN

According to the scanner my buddy got for me, my fuel pressure at 600 rpm idle is 51 psi. What should a ZL1engine be at idle?

58 psi is base pressure, but that fuel pump is pulse width modulated as if it were similar to a 1:1 boost referenced. Similar anyways. 51Psi at idle sounds normal

2013ZL1FUN · 10-02-2022, 03:32 PM

Thanks, FAS!

2013ZL1FUN · 10-03-2022, 11:00 AM

Well at this point in the game I believe I have a parasitic draw from some component on my car. This is just based on the observation of when I leave the Battery Tender hooked up to the car I have no starting issues. This draw must really drain the battery down quick, because when I shut it off say at a gas station it is hard to start, it cranks just won't fire.

Joe.G · 10-03-2022, 11:36 AM

Highly doubtful as your alternator charges more than your battery tender. Put a quality battery in and enjoy your car.

Koelzmod · 10-03-2022, 11:37 AM

I had a hard start problem and I read many instances where there is a ground problem. So I made up a 2 gauge ground cable and attached the one end of the cable to one of the bolts that holds the starter in. Then I attached the other end to the frame of the car. I made another 2 gauge cable and attached it to the grounding stud located near the inner fender well on the drivers side and the front side of the engine block where there already is a tiny ground wire attached under a 15mm bolt, at the very front side of the cylinder head. That fixed my problem. Ive also read where guys ran a ground cable from the negative battery terminal through a small hole made in the trunk down to the car frame.

camguynj · 10-03-2022, 12:19 PM

Was your hard start problem only when the car was hot?

10-02-2022, 06:34 AM	#29
2013ZL1FUN Drives: 2013 ZL1 Convertible A6 BRM Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Dayton Ohio Area Posts: 499	I tested the battery under the hood and In the trunk. __________________ 2013 ZL1 CONVERTIBLE BRM A6 OHIO

10-02-2022, 07:13 AM	#30
George-CZ Drives: 2010 2SS LS3 and 1978 STROKER 383 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 1,592	And your engine starts hard as if the battery is weak, or the engine spins, spins, but doesn't want to start..? If the motor barely rolls over, I'd lean towards beefing up the grounding. Years ago I added grounding between the engine and the body like this... https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=504199 as a precaution and I had no problems with starting in any situation even when the battery was on the verge of capacity. Verified by measurement. __________________ My life is a constant struggle with Camaro. K&N CAI, Stainless Power longtubes, high flow cats, modified Ragazzon High Performance axle back, Soler Performance ported throttle body, Soler Performance throttle controller, RAM clutch adjuster, modified LS7 clutch kit, Tick Performance billet bearing support, Tick Performance remote bleeder, separate clutch reservoir, BMR trailing arms, BMR toe rods, Pedders Suspension cradle bushing inserts, Control Arm Bushings, Strut tower brace, oil catch can, Hurst T-handle shifter, 20mm wheel spacers, DBA brakes, QTP Cutouts, Dynosteve tune.

10-02-2022, 07:18 AM	#31
Joe.G Drives: 2014 2SS/RS 6SP Ashen Grey Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: NY Posts: 1,269	It sounds like the car turns over normal but just doesn't start, I didn't think battery was my issue but it was, Try a jump pack when this happens and see if it helps. __________________ GM 3.91/TrueTrac OEM ZL1 Rims, Brakes & Side Skirts.ACST4 Splitter/Deflectors NPP M2W,GM Short Throw,Remote Clutch reservoir GPI Ported Rod Mod,BO White PTB,CAI/JRE Scoop, Moroso Catch Can GC Aluminum DS Stainless Works Ceramic LTH/HiFlo Cats SCT X4 Dynosteve, Hotckis 1" Springs & Chassis Max Brace BMR Adjustable Swaybars,Trailing Arms, Adjustable Toe Rod, LCA & Z28 UCA Bushings Hendrix Solid Cradle Bushings Pedders Radius Rod Inserts Strut tower brace Hero Smoked Tail and 3rd Brake Light, Diode Dynamic SL1 Fog Lights AeroForce Dual gauge/Autometer pillar mount.

10-02-2022, 09:31 AM	#32
FasNuf Drives: 2014 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,628 View My Garage	These cars are very picky with their voltage and amperage requirements. I've had weird things happen and it was always the battery, I'd get a new quality battery and see if your problems go away. I'd also check what amperage your car is requiring while just sitting as if overnight. Possibly a parasitic drain or load. __________________ . . . . https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgN...etl17hA/videos

10-02-2022, 11:55 AM	#33
2013ZL1FUN Drives: 2013 ZL1 Convertible A6 BRM Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Dayton Ohio Area Posts: 499	All good ideas, thanks for the advice. I just bought a X2Power battery, with 840cca. __________________ 2013 ZL1 CONVERTIBLE BRM A6 OHIO

10-02-2022, 01:05 PM	#34
2013ZL1FUN Drives: 2013 ZL1 Convertible A6 BRM Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Dayton Ohio Area Posts: 499	According to the scanner my buddy got for me, my fuel pressure at 600 rpm idle is 51 psi. What should a ZL1engine be at idle? __________________ 2013 ZL1 CONVERTIBLE BRM A6 OHIO

10-02-2022, 01:07 PM	#35
2013ZL1FUN Drives: 2013 ZL1 Convertible A6 BRM Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Dayton Ohio Area Posts: 499	All this stuff is new to me. Much different from my 67 RSSS Camaro convertible! __________________ 2013 ZL1 CONVERTIBLE BRM A6 OHIO

10-02-2022, 01:08 PM	#36
2013ZL1FUN Drives: 2013 ZL1 Convertible A6 BRM Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Dayton Ohio Area Posts: 499	I don't know how to check amperage draw. __________________ 2013 ZL1 CONVERTIBLE BRM A6 OHIO

10-02-2022, 03:32 PM	#38
2013ZL1FUN Drives: 2013 ZL1 Convertible A6 BRM Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Dayton Ohio Area Posts: 499	Thanks, FAS! __________________ 2013 ZL1 CONVERTIBLE BRM A6 OHIO

10-03-2022, 11:00 AM	#39
2013ZL1FUN Drives: 2013 ZL1 Convertible A6 BRM Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Dayton Ohio Area Posts: 499	Well at this point in the game I believe I have a parasitic draw from some component on my car. This is just based on the observation of when I leave the Battery Tender hooked up to the car I have no starting issues. This draw must really drain the battery down quick, because when I shut it off say at a gas station it is hard to start, it cranks just won't fire. __________________ 2013 ZL1 CONVERTIBLE BRM A6 OHIO

10-03-2022, 11:36 AM	#40
Joe.G Drives: 2014 2SS/RS 6SP Ashen Grey Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: NY Posts: 1,269	Highly doubtful as your alternator charges more than your battery tender. Put a quality battery in and enjoy your car. __________________ GM 3.91/TrueTrac OEM ZL1 Rims, Brakes & Side Skirts.ACST4 Splitter/Deflectors NPP M2W,GM Short Throw,Remote Clutch reservoir GPI Ported Rod Mod,BO White PTB,CAI/JRE Scoop, Moroso Catch Can GC Aluminum DS Stainless Works Ceramic LTH/HiFlo Cats SCT X4 Dynosteve, Hotckis 1" Springs & Chassis Max Brace BMR Adjustable Swaybars,Trailing Arms, Adjustable Toe Rod, LCA & Z28 UCA Bushings Hendrix Solid Cradle Bushings Pedders Radius Rod Inserts Strut tower brace Hero Smoked Tail and 3rd Brake Light, Diode Dynamic SL1 Fog Lights AeroForce Dual gauge/Autometer pillar mount.

10-03-2022, 11:37 AM	#41
Koelzmod Drives: 2013 SS Camaro Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Jupiter Fl Posts: 44	I had a hard start problem and I read many instances where there is a ground problem. So I made up a 2 gauge ground cable and attached the one end of the cable to one of the bolts that holds the starter in. Then I attached the other end to the frame of the car. I made another 2 gauge cable and attached it to the grounding stud located near the inner fender well on the drivers side and the front side of the engine block where there already is a tiny ground wire attached under a 15mm bolt, at the very front side of the cylinder head. That fixed my problem. Ive also read where guys ran a ground cable from the negative battery terminal through a small hole made in the trunk down to the car frame.

10-03-2022, 12:19 PM	#42
camguynj Drives: '13 SS/RS LS3 BRM Cammed NPP Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: NJ Posts: 3,816 View My Garage	Was your hard start problem only when the car was hot?