Starting Problem
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: St. Johns Florida
Starting Problem
Hi all. Searched the forums at length with no answer. 1987 Corvette. Been running great. Today was out running errands and car won't start. It has new starter solenoid just a few months ago. The problem isn't the starter - crossed the solenoid terminals and the starter turns over fine and cranks the engine.
Here is what the car does - when key is turned in the ignition cyllinder, everything comes on inside the car, and I mean everything acts normally such as the dash, stereo, AC sytem, information panel on center console, you name it. Then, when turn ignition/key to starting position - NOTHING at all happens. The starter never even engages. Doesn't click or anything at all. It is the darndest thing. Since it is not the starter, any other ideas why the key won't engage the starter? Could use any help at all. Thanks guys.
David
Here is what the car does - when key is turned in the ignition cyllinder, everything comes on inside the car, and I mean everything acts normally such as the dash, stereo, AC sytem, information panel on center console, you name it. Then, when turn ignition/key to starting position - NOTHING at all happens. The starter never even engages. Doesn't click or anything at all. It is the darndest thing. Since it is not the starter, any other ideas why the key won't engage the starter? Could use any help at all. Thanks guys.
David
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 630
Likes: 2
From: BEMIDJI MN
I would agree it sounds like the vats system. There is a lot of info at www.vatssucks.com A bypass is the solution, about $25.00.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: St. Johns Florida
Starting Problems
Thank you both!!! I had a bunch of resistors lying around the shop so I wired up a series of resistors to match the resistance of my key, removed the plug end from the ignition key cyllinder, soldered it to the resistor I made and holy cow it worked!!! I can't thank you enough for pointing me in the right direction. My old 87 is a little worn inside and may not be the queen of the prom but I do love driving it every day and would be lost without it. When I searched for VATS bypass, I found some really good sites but this one is really good (I thought) with lots of information including the resistance values of the various keys. Hope it helps someone else.
http://vats.likeabigdog.com/
http://vats.likeabigdog.com/
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
You need a new ignition lock which will have new contacts in it that make connection to your ign sw key pellet. Right now, your 87 is liable for the most common, (99%) of thefts, bashing the column and jumping the ignition!
