will not start
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
will not start
We went out to get a paper in her '89 vette, she got out, then reached back in and shut off the car and removed the key. When she came back out it wouldn't start. 
Plenty of power to everything else but no starter action. All fuses in block good. Tried shifter in different positions, no good. Finally jacked it up and jumped the starter posts. Fired right up and got us home. Still won't start with key. Even tried three different copies. Could it be something with security or has the ignition switch gone bad?
Plenty of power to everything else but no starter action. All fuses in block good. Tried shifter in different positions, no good. Finally jacked it up and jumped the starter posts. Fired right up and got us home. Still won't start with key. Even tried three different copies. Could it be something with security or has the ignition switch gone bad?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
First try your spare ignition key as its pellet contacts aren't as worn as your everyday key. Next, jump the clutch safety switch (gear selector switch if auto). Pull the kick panel above drivers feet and locate the two wires (white on my 87) that go to a connector. Unplug the connector and insert your ign key and measure the resistance across the wires from the ign sw. It should measure the same as the pellet and if over 13k ohms, you need a new ign switch tumbler which has new contacts that make with the pellet. You can go to Radio Shack and buy a 1/4 watt 5 % resistor the same value as your pellet (withing 5%) and clip it across the two wires that go to the wiring harness (these go to the VATS module) and you will have bypassed VATS until you can schedule the tumbler replacement. Don't permanently bypass VATS because 99% of thefts are done by bashing the column and jumping the ignition.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 721
Likes: 10
From: Irvine CA
I was on a cruise with my club and suffered the shame of a no start at a pit stop. All electric worked fine, but car would not even try to crank. Problem was dirty battery cable. I was told that the computer is very fussy. If it doesn't measure enough voltage it won't even try to start. Cleaned the positive cable and it has been fine ever since.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,132
Likes: 0
From: domesticmisfits.net c4guru.com
Originally Posted by Tvnewsengineer
My 86 just did the same thing and it turned out to be the ignition cylinder in the column. So 330.00 later, I have a new cylinder and 2 brand new keys. Good luck.
same thing happened to me last spring. about the same price 
