Bypass Starter Interrupt Relay on '85?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 776
Likes: 1
From: Washington
Bypass Starter Interrupt Relay on '85?
I'm trying to find out where my starter system failed, so I'm wondering if it's ok to jump the wire from the neutral safety switch to the starter solenoid wire. I know it would be taking the theft deterrent control module out of the circuit, but from what I Can tell from the wiring diagrams, that shouldn't hurt anything, right? This will tell me if I fried the relay, or if I need to keep digging deeper, right?
I've already tested the neutral safety switch and the ignition switch.
I've already tested the neutral safety switch and the ignition switch.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Had a similar problem on my '85. Check the voltage at the battery cable on the starter, should read 12 volts. Check the voltage on the cables leaving the starter. If you've got nothing check for a blown fusible link along the cables. Thats what mine turned out to be, a lot cheaper than a new starter which may not be the cure.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
I'm trying to find out where my starter system failed, so I'm wondering if it's ok to jump the wire from the neutral safety switch to the starter solenoid wire. I know it would be taking the theft deterrent control module out of the circuit, but from what I Can tell from the wiring diagrams, that shouldn't hurt anything, right?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,095
Likes: 1
From: modland CT
I had a problem on a 90 Vette & my 84 Vette with no start issue...When I installed a stereo in the 90 I musta hit a wire I wasnt suppose as I had nothing when I hit the key...I ended up unplugging every relay in the car...I opened the relays & made them untouch...I got LUCKY & it was fixed...It was a nightmare that took hours!
My 84 same thing I installed a radio & all of a sudden turn the key & have nothing! In the 84 I bypassed everything & have the car start with a toggle switch...I still have to turn the key to get power before the switch (air craft switch) will work but my problem is solved plus it looks cool!
Look at my sig to see the switch where the dummy lights once were.
My 84 same thing I installed a radio & all of a sudden turn the key & have nothing! In the 84 I bypassed everything & have the car start with a toggle switch...I still have to turn the key to get power before the switch (air craft switch) will work but my problem is solved plus it looks cool!
Look at my sig to see the switch where the dummy lights once were.
Last edited by yoslambo1@cs.com; Jan 9, 2008 at 01:45 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 776
Likes: 1
From: Washington
Anyway, I bypassed the relay, and it started right up. Hatch popped too. I did a lot of electrical testing before I bypassed it, though, just to make sure. I wanted to verify it wasn't the ignition switch, or neutral safety switch. Both of those performed as advertised.
Right now, I think it's either the ignition interrupt relay, which I have bypassed, or possibly the vehicle theft deterrent module. I have a new relay I'm going to test out to see if that's the issue, otherwise I have to get into the theft deterrent module, something I'm not looking forward to.
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 2
From: port charlotte fl
Well when I turn the key, I get nothing. No click, no crank, nothing. When I try to pop the trunk, I get nothing. So I figure it's something electrical, since those two circuits are tied together.
Anyway, I bypassed the relay, and it started right up. Hatch popped too. I did a lot of electrical testing before I bypassed it, though, just to make sure. I wanted to verify it wasn't the ignition switch, or neutral safety switch. Both of those performed as advertised.
Right now, I think it's either the ignition interrupt relay, which I have bypassed, or possibly the vehicle theft deterrent module. I have a new relay I'm going to test out to see if that's the issue, otherwise I have to get into the theft deterrent module, something I'm not looking forward to.
Anyway, I bypassed the relay, and it started right up. Hatch popped too. I did a lot of electrical testing before I bypassed it, though, just to make sure. I wanted to verify it wasn't the ignition switch, or neutral safety switch. Both of those performed as advertised.
Right now, I think it's either the ignition interrupt relay, which I have bypassed, or possibly the vehicle theft deterrent module. I have a new relay I'm going to test out to see if that's the issue, otherwise I have to get into the theft deterrent module, something I'm not looking forward to.
Last edited by staugur; Jan 9, 2008 at 04:54 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 776
Likes: 1
From: Washington
Yeah, I've already bypassed it for now, and all is good. I bought a new relay locally, and I'll be testing that out to make sure that's what it is. But since I'm bypassing the relay right now, I'm also bypassing the theft deterrent module, so I haven't eliminated that as a source of problem yet.
I don't have a VATS as that wasn't introduced until '86 and I have an '85, but there is definitely a theft deterrent system. Not sure of all the differences exactly, but I haven't had too many problems with mine.
I don't have a VATS as that wasn't introduced until '86 and I have an '85, but there is definitely a theft deterrent system. Not sure of all the differences exactly, but I haven't had too many problems with mine.
