The problem normally occurs at night. It will be running fine. I shut it off, go into the store for a few minutes, come back and it will not start. Starter will not turn over. Lights will come on, but the starter will not engage. I can walk away for about 10 minutes, come back and try it again and it will crank like nothing was ever wrong. Only thing I have noticed is that it surges occasionally while cruising. No error codes to indicate that something is wrong. The opti sensor has been changed. I'm thinking maybe the ecm, but I am not sure. Anyone else have any ideas?

 

Sounds like a VATS issue if the starter will not engage at all. Do you have a spare/backup key?

 

My 96 does this, too... Usually about once a year and that's it. It just did it (for this year) 2 weeks ago. When my dad had a '91, his happened more often, and he ended up throwing a lot of money into it to get it fixed.

As far as I know, it's related to the VATS - the little resistor on your key that's supposed to be an anti-theft mechanism. For whatever reason, the car isn't recognizing the resistance correctly, and thus, not starting.

The catch is, whenever you try to start the car (and fail), an internal timer starts. I belive it's 3 or 5 minutes, though I can't remember which. No matter what you do, that car ain't starting inside that time limit. If you try before the time's up, it resets and begins again. This is probably why so many people think the car will NEVER start - they try again too soon and it just keeps starting over.

When you walk away for 10 minutes, all is well, and as you say - the car usually starts right up.

Unless you have a very pregnant wife due any day, or a job that requires you to rush into work in an emergency, I wouldn't worry too much about it if it's only doing it once a month or so. It's inconvenient, yes (especially if it's on a scorching hot day), but it's not something I've felt compelled to throw hundreds of dollars at (yet).

Best of luck...

 

Lots of threads on this in the search!!

 

Hey thanks, I actually have four sets of keys for it. I will have to see if that's the problem.

 

Ah vats, the first thing every one blames, the last thing it ususally is. Check the security light when you have the problem. If it goes off within a couple of seconds its DEFINITLY is not the vats. If it keeps flashing it might be. Usual suspects in order of probability a. starter solinoid, b. nuetral safety switch (auto) clutch switch (man). C. ignition switch.

 

Been there done that.Go to Radio shack & get a resistor of the same value as your key. Check here on the Forum for the repair procedure & fix it for Pennies, no kidding. Even Cavemen can do it.

 

I heard from an alarm specialties technician that carrying alcohol pads in the glove compartment of a vette is almost as good as any tool because when vats acts up simply clean the resistor with an alcohol pad and 9 times out of ten the car will start plus vats is like a decease it can get progressively worst, in my car it got so bad that not even 10 or 20 minutes would fix the problem so I bypassed it and yes no more playing ignition games with my car maybe you want to do the same.

 

infamous vats......

 

Thanks Everyone!

 

Let us know what the problem was and how you fixed it....

 

Hey i've been having the same problems with mine. I've tried to used different keys and that still doesn't do anything. When it starts it should run normal and not extremely rough. Right?