Roll Starting M6 (dead battery)

PMCamaro · 08-08-2022, 09:24 PM

Well I Googled Camaro6 for this and saw nothing. Case in Point--> Your battery is dead. Manual trans, You are on a hill (going down). Switch on. Can you pop the clutch in 2-3 and get started like the old days? I would try but it's put up waiting on coating.

donaldp · 08-08-2022, 10:07 PM

What is your point?

Nothing like an SS · 08-09-2022, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PMCamaro

Well I Googled Camaro6 for this and saw nothing. Case in Point--> Your battery is dead. Manual trans, You are on a hill (going down). Switch on. Can you pop the clutch in 2-3 and get started like the old days? I would try but it's put up waiting on coating.

In a word, no. Electronics need to initiate before the engine can run. No power, no start, rolling or not.

SSDan · 08-09-2022, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nothing like an SS

In a word, no. Electronics need to initiate before the engine can run. No power, no start, rolling or not.

I agree. While I've never tried it on mine to be 100% certain - I believe the good old days are over for this. In the age of push button start and drive by wire throttle I just can't see this working.

ember1205 · 08-09-2022, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSDan

I agree. While I've never tried it on mine to be 100% certain - I believe the good old days are over for this. In the age of push button start and drive by wire throttle I just can't see this working.

If you could get the engine turn and produce "just enough" power to activate the necessary pieces... maybe... just maybe... But, it would have to be a decent hill and you'd have to leave the clutch out for a bit of distance to get it to turn.

Even then... Who knows if it would be able to actually RUN. I've had my car misfire and refuse to actually run properly after sitting for a few weeks. It has taken as many as three start attempts to get it to catch correctly and run without stalling. And that was with a brand new battery.

ctrlz · 08-09-2022, 07:10 AM

There are a few vigorous discussions online on this topic.
The short answer is "maybe."

You need to be at the top of a long hill or be pushed for a while. You need alternator to produce adequate current to get things going (ECM, fuel pump, etc.). It may not be possible with a completely flat or damaged battery, as a weak battery which may not be able to crank the car can still power other things. You also need battery voltage at the alternator stator coils or alternator does nothing. Generators have magnets, alternators require current in the stator to provide the magnetic field.

As an aside, the repair manual for our car refers to the alternator as a generator, which is an horrendous oversight/error.

Osbornsm · 08-09-2022, 10:47 AM

I used to do it to my 370z all the time.

Bump started like a champ.

I don't see why the Camaro would be different. Just needs more hill due to increased mass and engine drag.

ctrlz · 08-09-2022, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osbornsm

Just needs more hill due to increased mass and engine drag.

I don't know Alabama. Do they have hills big enough to try this?
I'm kinda hoping this all theoretical talk, and OP would call AAA for a jump.

With all the electronics in modern cars, there tend to be warning signs when a battery is past its prime. The only people I know who have been caught out with a dead battery are the types that ignore all the signs and hope for the best. So, if you're that type, always park on top of a steep hill.

Callaway SC630 · 08-09-2022, 11:05 AM

What about the "foot on the brake to start" issue?

Allez · 08-09-2022, 11:09 AM

Of course if this doesn't work you're gathering speed going downhill with no power brakes and no power steering. . .

ember1205 · 08-09-2022, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Callaway SC630

What about the "foot on the brake to start" issue?

My guess is that's only required to allow the starter to engage.

The bigger issue would seem to be that you'd need to get the car rolling, pop the clutch, then hit the 'start' button to allow everything to power up, then "hope" that there's enough juice to allow fuel pressure and spark...

ember1205 · 08-09-2022, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allez

Of course if this doesn't work you're gathering speed going downhill with no power brakes and no power steering. . .

But -with- engine braking. Toss up?

ZED SLED · 08-09-2022, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Callaway SC630

What about the "foot on the brake to start" issue?

that's just for the auto driver nanny.

Nothing like an SS · 08-09-2022, 11:45 AM

No power, the fuel pump will not even prime. No power to ECM, etc. Debate all you like, it can't be done, engine will not fire, and you will not have much in the way of brakes or steering while attempting, so good luck at the bottom of that very steep hill!

If you really want to try it, good luck!

08-08-2022, 09:24 PM	#1
PMCamaro Drives: 22 ZL1 Join Date: May 2022 Location: Alabama Posts: 46	Roll Starting M6 (dead battery) Well I Googled Camaro6 for this and saw nothing. Case in Point--> Your battery is dead. Manual trans, You are on a hill (going down). Switch on. Can you pop the clutch in 2-3 and get started like the old days? I would try but it's put up waiting on coating. __________________ 2022 ZL1 M6

08-09-2022, 10:47 AM	#7
Osbornsm Drives: 2018 SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Illinois Posts: 616 View My Garage	I used to do it to my 370z all the time. Bump started like a champ. I don't see why the Camaro would be different. Just needs more hill due to increased mass and engine drag. __________________ 2018 Camaro SS 1LE - 2011 370z - 2004 VW R32 - 2000 Civic Si Mods: Rotofab, Nick Williams 103mm TB, MSD IM, Kooks 1 7/8 Results: 470 hp / 447 tq

08-09-2022, 11:05 AM	#9
Callaway SC630 Drives: 2020 Callaway Camaro SC630 Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 320	What about the "foot on the brake to start" issue? __________________ 2020 Callaway Camaro SC630 - MN6 1SS Satin Steel Gray 2019 Callaway Corvette SC757 - MN7 1LZ Elkhart Lake Blue

08-08-2022, 10:07 PM	#2
donaldp Drives: 2017 Red Hot ZL1 M6 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: San Diego Posts: 321	What is your point?

08-09-2022, 07:10 AM	#6
ctrlz Drives: 2017 2SS, 50th pkg, M6, MRC, NPP Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Ocean City, NJ Posts: 3,178	There are a few vigorous discussions online on this topic. The short answer is "maybe." You need to be at the top of a long hill or be pushed for a while. You need alternator to produce adequate current to get things going (ECM, fuel pump, etc.). It may not be possible with a completely flat or damaged battery, as a weak battery which may not be able to crank the car can still power other things. You also need battery voltage at the alternator stator coils or alternator does nothing. Generators have magnets, alternators require current in the stator to provide the magnetic field. As an aside, the repair manual for our car refers to the alternator as a generator, which is an horrendous oversight/error.

08-09-2022, 11:09 AM	#10
Allez Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Maryland Posts: 794	Of course if this doesn't work you're gathering speed going downhill with no power brakes and no power steering. . .

08-09-2022, 11:45 AM	#14
Nothing like an SS Faster!!! Drives: 2020 Camaro 1SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 991	No power, the fuel pump will not even prime. No power to ECM, etc. Debate all you like, it can't be done, engine will not fire, and you will not have much in the way of brakes or steering while attempting, so good luck at the bottom of that very steep hill! If you really want to try it, good luck!

User Name		Remember Me?
Password