I got the '87 out the other day for the first time this year but it wouldn't start. It wouldn't turn over in the slightest. When I initially turned the key to On the dash lights all came on and the fuel pump started too. When I continued to turn the key to Ignition all the lights dimmed/went off but there was a deafening silence from the engine compartment. I turned on the headlights and they flipped up right away with bright lights. The battery is a 3 year old DieHard and stays on a smart charger through the winter. Thinking it might be key impedance I grabbed the other set but got the same result. No clicking or groaning or anything...dead silent. I tried removing the floor mat so I could jam the clutch to the floor, again with the same result.

I let the car sit for a few minutes and then grabbed my wife to help diagnose the problem. Her job was to listen hard on the passenger side of the engine compartment while I turned the engine over to see if there was any sounds at all. Of course, this time around the car fired up strongly and started right up. Scared her pretty good. Anyway, I let the car sit overnight and it started right up the next morning...that afternoon...and later that night. The engine starts very fast with no labored turning. It has not failed to start again. I checked the battery cables at the battery and they are firmly tightened and clean. No dash warnings or anything.

Is there a security circuit or something that could have been accidentally tripped, causing the car not to start? Similar to the "Pull key and wait 10 seconds" that pops up occasionaly in my C5?

 

Anyone???

 

i have an 87.. never noticed a security or time out thing with starting the car.. just the doors and hatch if u dont close them hard enuf.. then the horn starts beeping.

 

All indication looks like your VATS (Vehicle Anti Theft System).
You can buy a by-pass systems at MAM or Ecklers. Can be a common problem on C4's

Jim

 

If you keep your windows down and car locked in your garage if you open it without the key the alarm will go off.

Sometimes the contacts in the steering column get worn. If you like haveing the VATS you can repair it.

I have a bypass installed in mine. Also you can buy a PROM that has the VATS completely disabled.

 

Since the lock mechanism must make contact with the resistor pellet in the key, I suspect that a new lock & key set will assure the problem doesn't recur.

 

Another possibility is a bad neutral safety switch. Even with the clutch to the floor, if that switch is bad, the starter motor will not run/engage. Everything will work as you described with a bad switch.

The secret decoder ring in the ignition switch may be failing given the first try neither key worked but you could start it a day later.

I don't have the security module in my 87. The prior owner had some problems with VATS and the whole thing was just removed. It starts fine and I've never had a problem with the module being gone. But then the car only runs for fairly short distances at a time.....

Tell your car that Reeves will be in town this weekend and this is no time for it to be acting funny.

 

Bypass that damn vats and drive on. My 91 would do that and i was afraid to drive and stop somewhere,you would never know if the thing would start.Bypassed mine and have never had a problem.

 

I sometimes have to lock both doors for about 10 min. then unlock and car starts right up.

 

If you bypass the VATS install a kill switch. Added safety. Copper

 

http://www.btinternet.com/~ray_quayle/tsbs/88-292.htm

 

Thanks for all the replies. I'll keep my eye on it. Hopefully I'll never see it again. The car has yet to ever strand me and I hope to continue that tradition. P.S. Met Reeves Callaway tonight. What a hoot. I also got to test drive a new Callallaway C6. That supercharger whine is pretty dang cool. I broke the tires free at 50mph.

 

It was in a deep sleep. Just needed to wake up.

 

When I bought mine the seller explained the occasional VATS problem. He said "It's not a case of 'if' but 'when' - at some point it WILL happen". He was right Just re-lock everything, wait about 5 minutes, and start over and you'll be fine.

You can cut down on the chances - if you keep it in your garage and are in a fairly low-crime area, don't bother locking it. Out in public of course it's a different story!

 

So is the Z06 going up for sale??